Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1879-02-27
NY HOUR OF PERIL.

Some thought me plain, many passa-
BILE, and a few decidedly handsome.
Whether or not could lay any just
claims TO beauty, I am unable TO say;
but certain il was. at eighteen. the hon.
or and pleasure Of my alliance were So
licIted by two individuals whose birth,
education and position in life might
have secured for them a hand, in PEE
cuniary point Of view, far more desira-
BILE than niRe. Herbert Stanley was a
young man, handsome, rich, accom-
plIshed, talented, and in every way a
most eligible match. Scarcely had |
recovered from the surprise the unex-
pected offer OF his hand and heart oc-
casioned me. when met George Nor
gan, my second suitor, who was law
yer from the thriving town OF C.
He was neither brilliant nor particular
~ prepossessing in his personal appear
ance, but he stood we'll in his profess
sion. had acquired some property, and
had established for himself one Of the
finest and most unexceptionable char
acters, and to him my heart inclined.
We were married, and | returned
with him 10 his pleasant home IN c..
Twelve years Of conjugal happiness,
such as seldom falls TO the lot of NOR
tails, had passed over our heads, and two
little ones had been given to US TO unite
our hearts more closely, and to bring
fresh Joy and sunlight to our happy,
cheerful home. 1t was an August aG-
ternoon, unusually warm and sultry,
that was sitting by the open window
Of my little parlOr. busily plying my
needle. My children were away, pas
sing the day with a friend. and Mr..
Morgan was at hls Office. He had in
formed me in the morning that impor-
tant business called him to New York,
and that il was his intention to leave on
the evening boat. and my fingers were
flying to get the last stitches set in some
clothes he was to take with him.
had been sitting some time, wholly
engaged in my work, when ! heard the
creaking OF the front door upon its
hinges, and il slowly opened; closed
again; the stealthy steps in the hall fell
distinctly on my ear, caught glimpse
of a shadow on the floor. Hastily throw
ing aside my sewing, I arose to ascer-
tain by whom and for what ! was thus
unexpectedly visited; but before | had
time 10 advance step the tall. power
ful figure OF man stood in the doorway.
One glance in the newcomers face
was enough to drive all the color from
my lips and cheeks, to make my very
blood freeze in my veins, and my knees
smite one against the other.
II was Herbert Stanley. had not
seen h,m since the night Of his rejection
twelve wears before. But had heard,
from time to time, that lie had gone va
rIously with him, that he had met with
heavy losses in business, which had
brought on mental arrangement, and
for some months he had been regarded
rs hopelessly insane. He had escaped
from the asylum where he had been
confined, and had come to pay a visit to
me, the object Of his early love. HIS
head and feet were bare. A pair OF
course blue pants and a plaid calico
shirt were his only attire. His long.
black disheveled locks fell far down
upon his shoulders, and ia the red leaih-
er hunting belt which fancifully en-
circled bis waist, pistol and bowie
knife were distinctly visible. A fierce
CLEAN of wild delight shot from his dark
eyes as they fell upon me.
Seizing the knife in one hand he
brandished il over his head, and with a
laugh loud and diabolical, drew it sev-
eral times across his throat and FORE
head so that was in momentary ex-
pectation Of seeing friglitful wound IN
llicted.
Laura Moore, /" he exclaimed Moore
was my maiden name. "when you were
young and handsome loved you, adored
you, as no nan ever before sdored wo-
man; but you scorned my love, you
spurned me from you, you smiled gra-
ciousIy upon my hated rival, and you
gave him the precious treasure Of your
heart, but I've got you nowl You re-
fused 20 be my bride on esrth--you
shall be mine in heaven. Thither
am going. and yon shalt accompany me!
Here i ihe instrument that viii take U.
there -