The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-03-21
Jbc Storp.
}lNl From the St. Louis Hsrne Jeurnal
THE COUNTERFEIT BEACON.
By DIR. MACAULIFF.


The period at which this tale opens was in
the month of March, 1910. -.
Upon plateau of solid rock that overlooked
the sea on the western coast of Ireland, there
stood very pretty cottage, the envy of half the
country round. 1t commanded a magnificent
view OF the sea, and partially sheltered on
the west side from the fierce blasts of the Allan
tic ocean by a high chain of mountains, that
stretched far away until they became blended
with the horizon. Ii.P4
The wind which had been blowing freshly off
the land all the forenoon, suddenly changed to
the southwest during the evening, driving the
sea furously along the beach, and scattering the
foam high and broad across the lowland. The
clouds, too, assumed more leaden hue, and
large drops of rain were occasionally borne in
the blasts Indeed, the evening bore every in
dication of eliminating in what marines term
"dirty night" ...,.
1t still wanted an hour of midnight, and the
storm ragged wildly without Inside the dwell.
ing, upon a low couch, lay sick man, who ever
and anon turned restlessly from side to side, as
if seeking relief in change of posture; whilst,
seated before small table in the centre of the
room, was young girl some fourteen years old,
with long golden ringlets which strayed over
her shoulders. She was engaged in reading.
open the window-shutters, and let me look
upon the night" said the invalid.
'There is starlight, father. All is dark
without"
GLOW long for the light of day Are there
no tidings from the pier ~
"Nonc. The steamer has not vet arrived"
at is ferful night to be at sea on this coast"
at is"
"Can you see the Tuscar' Light"
II cannot Once within the passing hour l
thought l observed the white light"
"But not the red ~
"Not the red"
"Then it must have been delusion, for the
'Tuscar' revolves and the red and white lights
alternate"
81 know it, father
at was meteor, perhaps, disseminating its
expiring effulgence."
Perhaps So"
"'Ihe too high tonight to see the
light. Trim the lamp and cast more Goals upon
the fire; the air is chilly"
"Do you know, Ninna," said the sufferer, after
moments pause, 'that this night forcibly re-
minds me of that terrible disaster which hap
pened on this coast ten years ago?'
'Do you allude to the loss of the East
Indiaman?"
'Yes l cannot tell why it is that my mind
has been continually recurring to the subject
all this afternoon 1 wish that Ernest was safe
at home"
"lIe soon will be, father
"Alay heaven grant it,"
"What was the name of the man so intimately
connected with that disaster! - inquired Nina,
anxious to call her fathers attention from her
brother
''Sherricll He was wild, reckless fellow, Of
good education, who had run through liberal
patrimony left him by his father, and then he
became the associate of disreputable characters.
Indeed, it had been whispered many times that
he was implicated in smuggling transactions
along this coast"
81 almost forgot the particulars of that wreck
Il was so young at the time-but l remember
1t was something very dreadful"
, dreadful is no name for it. The mind that
conceived such hell-born project was only fit to
inhabit the Internal regions Not even Satan
himself, If he had taxed his wicked ingenuity
to the utmost, could have produced anything
more dfabolical Humanity shudders at the
enormity of the offense 1t was a Wild stormy
night. ike the present, not star in the heavens,
when Sherrck lighted false beacon on the
heGdland, half mile from this, and decoyed
first-ciass East lndiaman amongst the rocks
Every soul on board persisted, and the ship was
literally broken into fragments The coast tor
miles was strewn with her timbers and portions
Of her rich merchandise, from which many
dishonest wrecAvr euriche1 himself"
Il had idea that human nature was so
vile"
"vile! God grant that you may never know
the hundredth part of your fathers experience
in that respect" 'r
Both ceased talking, as if by mutual consent
AMI the invalid dozed off to sleep. Half an hoar
interviewed, and he still slept The hands of the
clock pointed TO the figure twelve on the dial
when a lond report from cannon announced
the arrival of the steamer. The invalid slowly
opened his eyes, and said
"God be thanked FOR his great mercies"
In ten minutes afterward the watch dog
growled suspiciously outside, at some person
approaching
at must be Ernest" said Nina, quickly ri.-
ing from her seat
"Iis step is not 50 heavy, and the dog knows
him
But yos forget, father, that the night is dark
and stormy, aad perhaps both are bewildered."
A loud knock at the door silcnced further dis
cu,Sioa upon the object, whilst the chained dog
barked necessarily, making several abortivo at
teupts 10 reach the new conner.
Tbs door having been opened in walked tall
MN I tho no't unpropossessing appearance
th black hair and q large flowing beard lie
wore sleuchsd hat, which partly concealed
dc p scar one side of his face. A heavy boat
cloak ana klyh boots worn outside the panta-
looms, Completed his exterior costume while in
HI. ris 't Aandshe carried heavy sword-cane.
Harsx csrtly spologiSed to Nina for his
lnlrus'oh, he approached the fire to warm him
get, tor MS clothes were drenched with rain
In dong this, however, he accidentally exposed
leathcrn girdle which he wore round the waist
carrying two pistols such az were used at that
period IA furnishing holsters
lis rather a rough night out here, but it
ms ht - worse in the colonies What do Won
say, Old fellow y said the stranger, falniliarly
addrcs-iAs the sick man
My tstAer does not understand YOU, sir 2"