The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-08-05


house.
Then exhausted, she sank TO the rocks,
her basilisk glance fixed on the waters.
Affair she saw cleaning star of light,
the lantern of the steamer; nearer and
nearer il seemed TO drift toward the rock
lined coast.
Then il went out suddenly. minute
later n rocket shot skyward. IL announced
a signal of distress. and the success of the
evil schemes of the heartless siren, Bea-
trice Langley.
She pictured her rival dead, removed
from her path, her own future assured, and
then started.
Hurrying forms were coming down the
beach. She heard voices excitedly speak
of the imperiled steamer, of the mystery
of the extinguished beacon.
IL must not be seen here" she muir
INJURED.
She arose and started to fly down the
beach and reach the villa unperceived
A sudden flare of light halted and
blinded her. Some one had gained the
tower, and relighted the lamp, too late,
however, to save the imperiled ocean
steamer.
Its rays revealed her to a man hurrying
down the beach.
She paled as she recognized him.
He regarded the woman amazedly.
"You here, Miss Langley" he ejaculat-
ed III wonderment.
She stammered out an incoherent ex-
PLANTATION.
"You have heard?" he said excitedly.
"Some one has extinguished the light III
the tower yonder, and it is believed that
the Hattems has gone to pieces"
"The Hatteras?" repeated Beatrice, "Was
not Mr.. Thorne's fancee on that ship?'
Yes, and Mr.. Thorne himself"
what"
Beatrice Langley reeled where she stood.
"Yes, we received word an hour since
that he boarded the steamer at the city,
and would accompany Miss Lansing to Sea
Beach.
An awful moan of anguish rent his
listeners lips.
Like one in a dream she stood rooted to
the spot.
She heard confused babel of sound
about her, and distinguished Forbes voice
imploring the fisherman to put off a boat
TO the rescue of the steamer.
mo boat would live in such sea as
that" was the discouraring reply.
A moment later they were terribly
startled.
They saw Beatrice Langley arouse from
her stupor.
She flung aside her cloak, dashed to the
beach, and, before they could deter her,
with wild cry, had sprung into boat
lying on the beach, and sefZed the oars.
For one moment they saw it tossed on
the waves, and then the darkness en-
quilted it.
"She is mad-she has gone to her DEATH"
groaned an old fisherman.
If mad bOwayar that 1aliriuun CyaVa ol-
most superhuman strength to Beatrice
Langley.
The frail boat was tossed like O leaf to
and fro, yet she resolutely handled the
oars, and drove the boat seaward.
Half an hour later the anxious group on
the beach witnessed a strange sight.
They FASTENED to the waves as they bore
q singular burden to the shore.
A woman with cleaning eyes and pallid
face, Beatrice Langley, was struggling in
the waves.
Wilfred Thorne, to whom in turn chung a
fair young girl, nearly dead from exhaus-
ton. 1t was Ethel Lansing.
Ready hands lifted the three to the beach.
They saw the wild, insane light in Beatrice
Laneley's eyes, and then they saw her sink
inanimate to the beach, the blood flowing
from a CHASTITY wound in her head made
by the rocks.
One hour later, at Glen Villa, the siren
lay in her room, physician lowering over
her with serious face.
At his mothers side sat Wilfred Thorne
and Ethel Lansing, both recovered from
the terrible experience of the night.
In graphic language Wilfred had told OF
the steamer dashing on a rock. Himself
and Ethel had escaped to a small boat and
cut ii loose.
The oarless boat bore them shoreward
with fearful velocity.
With an awful crash it had at last struck
rock, and they were precipitated into the
water.
Wilfred was no swimmer. With his ter
rifed iancee clinging to his side he gave
up all for lost.
At that moment boat passed them. 1t
contained Beatrice Langley. She eOuld
not direct it to them. With a Wild cry she
sprang toward them.
She seemed not to notice Ethel. In tones
of dehrious delight she spoke Wilfreds
name; she clasped his form as he was about
10 sink.
With fierce strength she swan shoreward.
~Heaven bless her, brave soul! she saved
us" concluded Wilfred, with tears in his
eyes.
At that moment the doctor entered the
room.
Your patient, Miss Langley" asked
Wilfred, anxiously.
The physician looked grave.
She is dying"
"Ah, it can not be-"
81 fear she has been mortally injured"
"She is conscious?'
"Ies. and wishes to see YOU"
"Tell her how We thank her; tell her our
lives shall be devoted to her for her noble
heroism," spoke Ethel, impulsively, as Viii
fred left the room.
"Beatrice"
He spoke the name tenderly, tearfully,
as, n minute later. he stood by the bedside
of Beatrice Langley.
Her eyes looked into his own.
Bend nearer" she whispered, family.
He did so.
"Wilfred Thorne," she murmured, 81
love you. l am dying, they tell me. 1
know you are affianced TO another; / know
you can never love me. One dying favor
Will you make my last moments happy?
Will You pity the heart that knows only love
for your"
In dire amazement Wilfred Thone hest
tated for a moment.
ave owe you our lives. Tell me; any