A TALE OF TERROR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6003, 12 February 1881, Page 7

A TALE OF TERROR.

A pew clays ago, "while a lady of our city, of artistic tastes and habits, was walking iaisuroly along Fifth Avenue, she noticed a sign of an artist's studio, whereupon she entered an open door, ascended one iliglit of stairs, rapped at the artist's door, heard the words "Come in," and entered a spacious room, elegantly furnished. Its high windows were richly draped with heavy curtains, fine pictures were hung upon the walls, and standing on the floor is an easel, after the fashion of most artists. In the room sat a man alone, witii overcoat and hat on, immovable, and with eyes glaring fiercely 011 his visitor as if enraged at her intrusion, hut not uttering a single word. A few moments passed ; she made a casual remark iu regard to some picture, when lie suddenly, jumped from his seat, rushed upon her, seized her by the throat, his eyes glaring wildly and his features indicating the fiercest excitement, and exclaimed madly, have you. I have been looking for you for the last ten years, and now I have tot you at last, and I'll kill you." At first the shock to her was terrible and overwhelming, and she became quite unconscious; but, recovering herself a little, she struggled, screamed and entreated, but to no purpose. He clung to her throat with one hand, and with the other tried to iill her month with her clothing. Finally, having loosed his hold, lie rushed to the door, locked it, seized a knife and began to sharpen it upon his shoe, telling her that her time had come and she must prepare to meet her God ; that he was going to cut her into inch pieces. She fell upon her knees, prayed, entreated, told him of her husband and child, and wept in the wildest agony, fully believing her time had come, that she must die, but with no avail. He continued to make his preparations in the most violent excitement. He told her lie should put her body ill the large stove in his room to burn it up. Finally, overcome by excitement, she sank upon the floor. At this the rage of the madman seemed to subside a little. Still, he continued his threats and preparations. After having recovered a little irom her exhuaction, having now been in the clutches of the lunatic for over two hours, during which she had suffered untold agony, she now entreated him to give her some food or something to revive her. It was now about six o'clock in the evening. He then went to the door, saying that he was going to get something for himself, unlocked and opened it, went out, and locked the door behind him. Alone in the room, she screamed to the top of her voice, hoping she might bring some Due to her rescue, but to 110 avail. He soon returned, still threatening her with instant leath if she was not silent. The fiend seemed to have 110 other purpose but to torture her, or to take her life. Finally he :old her that if slie would take his u.rm mil go quietly downstairs, she could go. Hope now dawned upon her. She told him ;hat she would do anything. He accordingly nade her walk down with him into the itreet. Sue felt inexpressible relief, having out of prison. Here she strove to extri:ate herself, but, lie threatened to dash licr jrains out against the walls of the building mless she went oil quietly. Site told him ilie wanted to take au " up-town car." He mid, "I'll go with you; I'll follow you to ;he ends of the earth." He entered the car •vith her, sat down by her side and appeared lerfectly sane. He paid her fare and never ittered a word until she out of the ear. Ie followed her, and 011 arriving at her esidenee he said to her, "You must be at ny place to-morrow at eleven o'clock. I hall follow you. You can't live without ue." She then opened the door and closcd t upon him with unutterable relief. Thus lie was once more free from the clutches of , maniac, and had escaped impending death. The affair occur red near the Fifth Avenue lotel. The mail was thin and spare, above he medium height, of sandy complexion, >ald, wore a moustache, she thinks, was ichly dressed, wore diamond bosom studs, ml nicely-fitting buif gloves. These he put in carefully whenever he went out.—Provileuce (R. I.) Journal.