Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-08-05
! SEA BEACH LIGHTHOUSE.
DY HARRY BALDWIN.

BY HARRY BALDWIN. g,
- ..~ Fa-.fs "a ----Aff ~t
"Mine, all mine! Another month, and
shall bring to my feet the proud and hand
some man who can make me mistress of
Glen Villa and of all his immense fortune. /"
The speaker was dark, beautiful
woman or thirty years, with eyoS that
rivaled the diamond IN their piercing glow,
and long flowing hair that formed q sable
crown of glory to her perfect womanhood.
The time was eventide, the close of q
dark, sullen day in November, full of fit
full shadows and mystic echoes.
Through the lowering pines and fir trees
the lurid, angry western sky filtered film
of ruddy color that tinged the rocks with a
sickly glare.
Beyond the glen, with its pretty villa
and artistic lawns and garden slopes, the
sea dashed frettully on the rock-bound
coast. ~.
Voices of the air and sky seemed in
complete harmony with the emotions Of
the woman who, light drapery over her
head and shoulders, stood by hedge,
ward the ocean.
There was triumph and hopefulness in
her tones, and yet some mental calculation
of possible failure in her fond desires
seemed to arouse latent determination
and defiance against any adverse fate.
and repellant rather than enticing lowell
Bfsso her sHU H%iPNd saepe6ai p6ai t9v t9 YseYst memory
The retrospect was biief; 1t recalled to
her mind how she, Beatrice Langley, one
year previous, had secured the position of
companion to the invalid, Mrs. Thone, of
Glen Villa.
or I-fk 4 I. 4 l.. L
past. A willful, wicked coquette, she had
broken score Of hearts, finally welded a
faithful, loving man named Ernest Wal
dron, had tired of his devotion, and in a
moment of cruel wickedness abandoned
him, taking with her all of his money she
could secure.
Then there was brief, fitting, fevered
life at fashionable watering place, and
then, her ILL gained means exhausted, pow
erty and desperation came.
Once she had heard of her husband.
She had broken his heart and beggared
him. He had sought her vainly, first for
givingly, and then with black, despairing
vengea ace in his heart.
And then she saw his. name in the list of
a large number of persons killed in rail
way accident. Ms
1t was at this time that Beatrice Langley,
as She chose TO call herself, had secured
the position alluded to.
She was tired of the old life, She longed
for rest and seclusion, and she found 1t at
Glen Villa, and her life had become calmer
IL not better under the egentle influence of
Mrs. Tborne. B
\ Besides these two aud the Servants there
were no other fesidentB fat the villa until
one month before olir story opens. r.
Then there occurred, in the return to his
home, after a long sojourn in Europe, of
the heir to- the Thorne estates, the SON of
the invalid, an episode which changed oil
the currents of Beatrice Langleys exist
encc. .'Ir Ftas.it fUe 3 3ttFTI
The idol of his mother, brave, earnest,
handsome. tho first glance from his eyes
conquered the beautiful siren, and the
wicked heart that had treated the honest
love of honeat men as a plaything knew
herself all the bitter-sweet OF fervent, pas
sionate esteem.
She knew that he was wealthy, she
fancied he was heart-free. From that mo-
ment every magnetic vile Of her intriguing
nature was brought into action 30 captivate
Wiltred Thorne.
The fond mother, confined To her room,
did not know how the first introduction of
her son to her fascinating companion had
led 10 frequent meetings in the drawing
rooms, to strolls to the beach, and moonlit
drives. e.
Wilfred Thorne was lonely at the quiet
villa, and glad to be entertained, and really
esteemed Miss Langley as most pleasant
companion.
The witchery of her arts pleased him,
her friendship flattered him. month
more would have cemented the dangerous
companionship, and the siren whispered
fiercely to her ardent heart that sooner or
later she would certainly win his love and
entrap him into q marriage,
It was of all this that she was thinking
that lowering November night as she stood
lost in reverio'by the hedge. AMI
The last few days Wilfred had brought
a gentleman friend to the villa, but had
found time to drive Miss. Langley down the
beach, and she fancjsd that the pressure of
his hand was more fervent, his glance
more friendly than ever when they parted.
Cruel delusionl In her vanity and willful
determination the siren overestimated her
own powers Of witchery.
IL was destined that in that very hour she
should learn her fate, and became melted
TO an act tragic, cruel, and heartlessly re-
vengefui. p -
A dazzling dream of wealth and comfort
was rudely dispelled by the sound of ap-
preaching voices.
Beatrice started and was about to hasten
toward the house, when she observed that
the intruders were on the other side OF the
hedge, and could not see her.
Instantly, too, she recognized theirvoices
wilfred Thorne and his gentleman friend
were coming down the garden path.
She glanced around to see II any one
was in sight, and then with nm eager curl
osity in her face crouched closer TO the
hedge and listened.