Year: 1879

my Second suitor lellp VAS lawyer
from the thriving to@n Of c.
He was neither brilliant nor partic.
ularl3 prepossessing in his personal
appearance, but he stood well in his
profession, had acquired some prop.
erty, and had established for himself
one of the finest and most unexcep.
tionable characters, and to him my
heart inclined.


We were married, and | returned
with him to his pleasant home in
C.. Twelve years of conjugal
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 ourhappy, cheerful home.
1t was an August afternoon, unusu-
ally warm and sultry, that Twas sit
ting by the open window of my lit
tie parlor, busily plying my needle.
My. children were away, passing the
day with friend, and Mr.. Morgan
was at his office. He had informed
me in the morning that important
business called him to New York,
and that it 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 it slowly open
ed; closed again; and stealthy steps
in The hall fell distinctly on my ear.
| caught a glimpse Of shadow on
the floor. Hastily throwing aside
my sewing. arose to ascertain by
whom and for what 1 was thus unex-
pectedly visited; but before ] had
time to advance a step, the tall, pow
erful figure Of a 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.


It was Herbert Stanley, | had not
seen him since the night of his re-
lection, twelve years before. But |
had heard, from time to time, that
life had gone variously with him,
that he had met with heavy losses in
business, which had broughton men,
tai arrangement, and for some
months he had been regarded as
hopelessly insane. He had now es.
capped 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 coarse blue pants and a
plaid calico shirt were his only at
tire. His long, black disheveled
locks fell far down upon his shoul,
ders, and in the red-leather hunting
belt which fancifully encircled his
waist pistol and bowie knife were
distinctly visible. A fierce CLEAN oI
wild delight shot from his dark eyes
asthey fell upon me,


Selling the knife in one hand, he
brandished it over his head, and
with q laugh loud and diabolical
drew it several times across his
Throat and forehead so that l was in
momentary expectation Of seeing q
frightful wound inflicted.


"Laura Moore" he exclaimed
Moore was mymaiden name), "when
we were young and handsome, l low
ed you, adored you, as no man ever
before adored woman; but you scorn
ed my love, you spurned me from
you, you smiled graciously upon my
hated rival, and you gave him the
precious treasure of your heart, but
I've got you now! You refused to bt
my bride on carth-you shall be
mine in heaven! Thither am go
ing, and you shall accompany me
Here is the instrument that vii
take US there!"


Saying this, he advanced with rap
id strides toward me, secured me by
the arm, flourished the deadly weap
on dexterously overmyhead, brough