The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-03-22
Select Storp.
MY HOUR OF PERIL.
A THRILLING NARRATIVE.

THRILLING NARRATIVE.
Some thought me plain, many passable,
and few decidedly handsome. Whether
or not l could lay any just claims to beau
ty, | am unable to say; but certain il was,
at eighteen the honor and pleasure of my
alliance was solicited by two individuals
whose birth, education and position in
life might have secured for them hand
in pecuniary point of view far more de-
sirable than mine. Herbert Stanley was
young man, handsome, rich, accomplish
cd, talented, and in every way most ell
igible match. Scarcely had | recovered
from the surprise the unexpected offer of
his hand and heart occasioned me, when
met George Morgan, my second suitor,
who was a lawyer from the thriving town Of
c.. He was neither brilliant nor partic.
ularly preposscssing in his appearance, but
he stood well in his profession, had acquir-
ed some property, and had established for
himself one Of the finest and most unex-
ceptional characters, aud to him my heart
inclined.
We were married and | returned with
him to his pleasant home in G..
Twelve years of conjugal happiness, such as
seldom falls to the lot Of mortals, had pass
ed over our heads, and two little ones
had been given US to unite our hearts more
closely, and to bring fresh joy and sunlight
to our happy, cheerful home. It was an
August afternoon unusually warm and
sultry, that | was sitting beside the open
window of my little parlor, busily plying
my needle. My children were away, pass.
ing the day with friend, and Mr.. Nor
gan was at his Office. He had informed
me in the morning that important 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 las,
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,
aud it slowly opened; closed again; the
stealthy steps in the hall fell distinctly on
my ear, l caught a glimpse of shadow
on the floor. Hastily throwing aside my
sewing, | arose to ascertain by whom and
for what l was thus unexpectedly visited
but before had time to advance step
the tall, powerful figure of man stood in
the doorway.
One glance in the new .comer's face was
enough TO drive all the color from my lips
and checks, to make my very blood freeze
in my veins, and my knees smite one
against the other.
1t was Herbert Stanley. | had not
seen him since the night of his rejection,
twelve years before But, had leard
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 he had been regarded as
hopelessly insane. He had escaped from
the asylum where he had been confined,
and he had come to pay visit to me, the
object of his early love. His head and
feet were bare. A pair Of coarse blue
pants and plaid calico shirt were his on
ly attire. His long black disheveled locks
fell far down upon his shoulders, and in
the red leather hunting belt which finci.
fully eneircled his 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 be bran
dished it over his head, and with laugh
loud and diabolieal, drew it several times
across his throat and forehead so that |
was in momentary expectation of seeing
frightful wound inflicted.
Laura Moore" he exclaimed, Moore
was my maiden name, "when you was
young and hadsome | loved you, adored
you, as no man ever before adored woman;
but you scorned my love, you spurned me
from you, you smiled graeiously upon my
hated rival, and you gave him the precious
treasure of your heart, but I've got you
now ! You refused to be my bride on
earth--you shall be mine in heaven
Thither | am going, and you shall ac-
company me Here is the instrument
that will take us there r.
Saying this, he advanced with rapid
strides toward me, secured me by the arm,
iiourished the deadly weapon dexterously
over my head, brought the blunt edge d.
rectly across my throat, aud then fell back
again to the floor, and stood gazing upon
me with those wild, glaring eyes Of his, till
the very blood froze in my veins.
| essayed to rise but terror rendered me
powerless. 1t seemed as if every muscle
had become rigid, and all power Of motion
denied me. | glanced toward the door.
Herbert Stanley must have interpreted the
glance.
"fou cannot escape, he exclaimed, ex-
ultingly." II have taken care to prevent
that--l'vo fastened the east door aud the
back door on the outside, and here is the
key to the front"
Aud he took from his pocket a large
brass key, and held it up triumphantly be-
fore me.
All possibility of escape was thus cut Of
II was In the power Of desperate aud
merciless madman, bent on my destruction,
as hc had expressly avowed Il, aud that
paralyzed every nerve and muscle.
"God help me in this hour Of peril r.
was the prayer which arose up in my soul,
for knew that no human aid was near.
Again the madman advanced with the
gllttering blade quivering in his hand
felt the iron grasp Of his hand upon my
shoulder, saw the bright blade Of the bowie
knife pointed directly at my heart, and
stood powerless and motionless as a statue.
But with this hourofperil came strength