The Newtown bee., 1879-02-11
MY HOUR OF PERIL.
A THRILLING SKETCH.

A THRlLLINa SKETCH.
 Some thought me plain, many passa- ble, and few decidedly handsome. Whether or not I could lay any just claims to beauty, am unable to say; but certain it was, at eighteen, the honor and pleasure of my alliance were solicited by two individuals whose birth, education and position in life might have secured for them hand, in pecuniary point of view, far more desirable than mine. Herbert Stanley was a young man, handsome, rich, accomplished, tai ented, and in every way most eligible match. Scarcely had l recovered from the surprise the unexpected offer of his hand and heart occasioned me, when met George Morgan, my sec ond suitor, who was lawyer from the thriving town of G.. He was neither brilliant nor particularly prepossessing in his personal appear ance, but he stood we'll in his profession. had acquired some property, and had established for himself one of the finest and most unexceptionable characters, and to him my heart inclined.
 We were married, and returned with him to his pleasant home in G.. Twelve years of coniugal happiness, such as seldom falls to the lot of mortals, 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. It was an August afternoon, un- usually warm and sultry, that was sit ting by the open window of my little parlor, busily plying my needle. My children were away, passing the day with friend, and MT. Morgan was at his office. He had informed me in the morning that important business called him to New York, and that 1t was his intention to leave on the evening boat, last stitches get in some clothes he was to take with him.
 I had been sitting some time, wholly engaged in my work, when ] heard the creaking of the front door upon its hinges, and it slowly opened; closed i again; the stealthy steps in the hall fell distinctly on my ear. I caught glimpse of shadow on the floor. Hastily throw ing aside my sewing, arose to ascertain by whom and for what l was thus unex- pectedly visited; but before l had time to advance @ step the tall, powerful fig ure of man stood in the doorway.
 One glance ill 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.
 It was Herbert Stanley. 1 had not seen him since the night of his reJec tion, twelve years before. But l had heard, from time to time, that life had gone variously with him, that he hac met with heavy losses in business which had brought on mental derange ment, and for some months he had beer regarded as hopelessly insane. He has now escaped from the asylum where h. had been confined, and had come to pa. a visit to me, the objeob. of his earl, love. His head and feet wese bare. 1 pair of coarse blue pants anda . plail calico shirt were his only attirasS Hi long, black disheveled locks fell sfa down upon his shoulders, and in fE red .leather hunting belt which fanc fully epcircled his waist, pistol an bowie knife were distinctly visible. fierce gleam of wild delight shot froi his dark eyes as they fell upon me.
 Seizing the knife ill one hand, | brandished it over his head, and with laugh loud and diabolical, drew 1t sex eral times across his throat and for head so that was in momentary expe tation of seeing frightfui wound I $ fiicted.
 :. "Laura Moore, he exclaims (Moore was my maiden name), :" wht we were young and handsome, love you, adored you, as no man ever befo adored woman; but you scorned n love. you spurued me from you, v smiled graciously upon my hated rivs ,, and you gave him the precious treasu of your heart, but I've got you nov You refused to be my bride on earth you shall be mine in heavenl Thith I am going, and you shall aecofnpal me Here is the instrument that " E take us thererv
 Saying this, he advanced with rar
 strides toward nae, secured mo by [
 arm, fiourished the deadly weapon ds
 terously over my head, brought {
 blunt edge directly across my thro = and then fell back again to the door, 2
 stood gazing upon me with those VI
 glaring eyes of his till the very blt
 froze in my veins.
 tc. essayed to rise, but terror rendel
 me powerless It seemed ss if ev of muscle had become rigid, and all po'
 of motion denied me. ! glanced tow -- the door. Herbert Stanley must h
 interpreted the glance.
 i" Ton cannot escape, he exclaim
 exultinely. i" have taken care to l nd vent that-I've fastened tho cast q bio and the back door on the outside, i've here is the key to the front. 7
 And he took from his pocket q la = brass key, and held itup triumphal
 before me.
 All possibility Of escape was thrs (. off was in the power of 2 desper
 merciless madman. bent on my dest ove tion, as he had expressly avcv ed it.
 that paral5 zed every nerve and milt
 s (3od help me in this hour of per c waa khe prayer which arose up in @ stpl, Tor < knew tlaas 70 human aid
 mar. sss '
 A8ain the madman advanced witt
 eiittsFi2S 6le&s quiyering ia hls '
 nV eh0uldoI. 68x t6s bri&ht blae MN tIie bowie knil6 oizted dixect1y \ : Y F ? \ 5 |||