Litchfield enquirer., 1876-09-21
Mrs. Percy's Peril.

Arthur Percy, captain in Her Majes- tvs dragons, is my husband, and the adventure I am about to relate befen me about eighteen months after our mar riage, when the regiment was quartered in Ireland.
 A detachment was stationed in one of the most unquiet parts of that country, which'I I refrain, from obvious reasons, from naming. Arthur was ordered to take command of it, and so I, of course. accompanied him with our baby, an in fant of about five months. We thought ourselves very fortunate in having se- cured small but extremely pretty cot- tage at an almost nominal rent, distant about one mile from the barracks.
 cannot better describe the cottage than by telling you that it was called 'The Bungalow, and, like it's namesake, was long, one-storied building, with a veranda in front of the principal windows. A small entrance hall, in which were two doors, was the first thing observed on entering; one led to the drawing room dining-room and three bedrooms, whils the other led directly to the kitchen servants room, and into passage lead ing to the outer offices.
 Our establishment consisted of tvo women servants and one man; the lattr, being soldier, returned every night to the barracks, which happend to be the nearest habitation to us, and not eventhe humblest dwelling breaking the loaeli- ness of the way between them and the Bungalow. I.
 have already said that the distance from them was about a mile, and the road, which was partly moss-grown, lay through narrow sort of lane, enclosed on each side by very high hedges.
 These hedges were a continual horror to me. Scarcely ever did I see Arthur start in the morning without visions arfs- ing of desperadoes concealed behind them, dressed in the inevitable long, tailed, ragged coat, the high.crowned, narrow-rimmed hat, and the murderous weapon, all of which things invariably associated with an Irish rufian.
 The dragons had been sent to quell some risings, and to support the authori- ties, consequently they were not re- garded by the natives in any friendly light. ....s
 As the weeks went on, and every af- ternoon brought Arthur safely back to me, my fears were somewhat allayed, and occasionally I walked through the lane toward the town to meet him-always, however, feeling glad when I got safely past any chance passer-by whom might encounter. Arthur used to laugh at my fears, and as knew was a desperate coward, Itried to think they were ground less. and merely the result of my own natural timidity.
 The year was drawing to a close, and on the tenth of January we were to bid adieu to the Bungalow, Ireland, and the Irish. The regiment was under orders for England in the Spring, and till then Arthur was to go on leave.
 Twas in raptures at the prospect of be- ing settled in my own part of the world again, and, best of alL leaving Ireland, against which I entertained so profound aprejudice. tr
 It was Christmas Eve; Arthur was obliged, most unwillingly to spend it at the barracks, as the few officers there wished to have farwen dinner, and, in addition, there was to be an entertain ment for the soldiers at an early hour. It had been showing heavily all day, and when Arthur left. about half-past three o'clock in the afternoon, darkness was beginning to come on. begged him not to return if the snow continued, as I knew it might be very late ere the party broke up, and I could not bear the idea of his coming home through that dark, narrow road, in the middle of snowy December night. If he did come he was to tap at my window. which would en- able me to let him in without disturbing the servants, who slept at the other side of the house.
 After had watched his figure disap- pear Ire-entered the cottage with dis agreeable sense of solitude and weari- ness, which tried to dispel by ringing for the nurse to bring my baby, stirring the fire into cheerful blaze, and other wise occupying myself. Though almost quite dark, it was now only about four o'clock, and the blinds in the little sit- ting-room were still undrawn. was sitting on the hearth rug, with baby on my lap, amusing her with my watch and its glittering appendages, which were an unfailing source of pleasure to her; as she stretched out her little hands to grasp them, was suddenly attracted to the direction of the window, through which, to my unutterable horror, I dis tinguished distinctly the face of man gleaming upon me. In that swift, mo- mentary glance I could see that it was 8 pale, sinister, malevolent countenance, with small hungry eyes. My heart beat wildly, but I dissembled my terror well, suppose, as had done otherwise baby and l might have fared differently. So rapidly had I comprehended the neces- sity for appearing not to have observed him, that I hardly stopped speaking to my baby. but a thousand projects for es- cape from my present position reyolved themselves through my whirling brain. How could I escape from that little room, with it's dark, unshaded' window2 Fur lively I looked again, and was infinitely relieved to find that the apparition had