The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1873-01-30
ALONE wlru A MANIAC,

.
or not could lay any just claim to per-
sonal beauty AIN unable to say; lut GER
tain it was, at eighteen the honor and
pleasure of my alliance was solcitedby two
| individuals, whose birth, education aud
position in life might have secured for them
hand, in a pecuuiary poiut Of view, far
more desirable than mine. Herbert Stau-
ley was young man, handsome, and rich,
accomplished, talented, aud every way a
most eligible match. Scarcely had | re-
covered from the surprised tue unexpected
offer of bis hand aud heart oCcasiOned me,
before another similar proposition was
made me. George Morgan, my second
suitor, was lawyer from the thriving lit.
tie town of G He was neither brilliant,
nor particularly propOsScs'ing in appear
ance, but be stood well 10 his profession,
and acquired some property, and bad es'
tablisbel for bimself one Of the finest and
most unczceptiouabIo characters, and to
him my heart inclined,
We were married, and | returned with
him to bis pleasant home in e. Twelve
years Of coujugal happiness such as seldom
falls to the lot Of mortals, had passed over
our heads, and two little ones we're given
US to uuite our hearts more closely, and
to bring fresh joy and sunshine in our
happy, cheerful home. 1t was an August
afternoon, unusually warm aud sulry,
that was sitting by the open window of
ofmy little parlor, busily plying my need,
lc. My children were both away passing
the day with friend, and Mr., Morgan
was at bis Office, lie had Informed NE in
the morning that important business called
him to New York, and that il vas bis 10.
tention to leave on the evening boat, md
my fingers were flying to get the
stitches set 10 some clothes he was to take
with him.
bad been sitting some time wholly
engaged in my work, when | heard tile
croakiug of the front door upon its hinges,
and slowly ppeUGd and closeaagqip; tllop.
tsicailby steps III the haHfell distinctly on
my ear. | caught glimpse ola shadow
on the Aoor. Hastily throwing aside my
sewing, | arose to ascertain by whom aud
what | was thus Unexpectedly visited, but
before bad time to advance step, the
tall, powerful figure Of a man stood in the
doorway
One glvDce into the newcomers face
was enough to drive all the color from my
| lips and cheeks, to make the very blood
freeze in my veins, aud ny knees smiie
one against the other.
Il was Herbert Stanley; I had not seen
him since the evening Of bis rejection,
twelve years before, But | had heard,
from time to time; that life had gone var
iously with him, that he had met with
heavy losses in business, which had
brought on mental arrangement, and for
some months. be had been regarded as
hopclcssly insane He had now escaped
from the asylum where he was confined,
and had come to pay me, the object of bis
early life, a visit His bead and feet we're
bare. A pair of coarse blue pants and q
plaid calico shirt was bis only attire, His
long disbeveIed black locks fell far down
his shoulders, aud in the red leather
huntiug.beIt, which fancifully cncirclcd
bis wrist, pistol, and The bright steel
blade of bowie knife were distinctly visi.
bic. A fierce CLEAN Of wild delight shot
from bis dark eyes as they fell upon me.
Selling the knife in one hand, be brand
shed it over bis head, with laugh long
and daboIical, drew it several times so
nearly across bis throat and forehead that
| was in momeDtary expectation Of seeing
frightful wound Inflicted
Laura More" be exclaimed (Nlore
was my maiden namc) when you were
young aud handsome, loved you, adorcd
you, as no man ever before adotel Wo.
man; but you scOrned mg love; you
spurned me from you, you smiled gracious
y upon my hated rival, and you gave him
the precious treasure your heart but I've
got you uow! You refused to be my bride
on earth-you shall be my bride in heav-
en-? Thitber | am going, and you shall