The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-08-05
SEA BEACH LIGHTHOUSE.
BY HARRY BALDWIN.

~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 of thirty years, with eyes that
rivaled the diamond in their piercing glow,
and long flowing hair that formed a sable
crown of glory to her perfect womanhood.
The time was eventide, the close of a
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 rudy 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,
looking meditatively through ravine to-
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 n latent determination
and defiance against any adverse fate.
AS she stood there, picture of sinister
and repellant rather than enticing lowell
ness, her mind seemed to weave memory
of the past, and to build fair aerial castles
of love and wealth for the future.
The retrospect was brief; it recalled to
her mind how she, Beatrice Langley, one
year previous, had secured the position of
companion to the invalid Mrs. Thorne, of
Glen Villa.
She had left behind her dark and bitter
past. A willful, wicked coquette, she had
broken score of hearts, finally welded n
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 a 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
~giyingly, and then with black, despairing
vengea ice in his heart.
And then she saw his name in the list Of
large number of persons killed in rail-
way accident.
1T was at this time that Beatrice Langley,
us 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
if not better under the gentle influence of
Mrs Thorne.
Besides these two and the servants there
were no other residents at the villa until
one month before our story opens.
Then there occurred, In the return to his
L Ga. 1.N,,s, ~, ~, Df
the heir TO the Thorne estates, the son of
the invalid, an episode which changed all
the currents Of Beatrice Langley's exist
ence.
The idol of his mother, brave, earnest,
handsome. the first glance from his eyes
conquered the beautiful siren, and the
wicked heart that had treated the honest
love of honeat men as plaything knew
Merself all the bitter-sweet of fervent, pas
.sionate esteem.
She knew that he was wealthy, she
fancie2 he was rt-free. From that mo-
ment every magnetic vile of her intriguing
nature was brought into action to 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 TO frequent meetings in the drawing
rooms, 10 strolls to the beach, and moonlit
drives.
Wilfred Thorne was lonely at the quiet
villa, and glad to be entertained. and really
esteemed Miss Langley as a most pleasant
companion.
The witchery Of her arts pleased him,
her friendship fattered him. month
more would have cemented the dangerous
comranionship, and the siren whispered
fercely to her ardent heart that sooner or
later she would certainly win his love and
sentrap him Into marriage.
IL was of all this that she was thinking
that lowering November night as she stood
lost in reveric by the hedge.
The last few days Wilfred had brought
q gentleman friend to the villa, but had
found time TO drive Miss Langley down the
beach, and she fancied that the pressure of
his hand was more fervent, his glance
more friendly than ever when they parted.
Cruel delusion! In her vanity and willful
determination the siren overestimated her
own powers of witchery.
1t was destined that in that very hour she
should learn her fate, and became melted
20 an act tragic, cruel and heartlessly re-
vengefu.
A dazzling dream of wealth and comfort
was 1udely dispelled by the sound of ap-
preaching voices.
Deatrlce slaTteu ana was ABOUT 10 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 their voices.
Wilfred Thorne and his gentleman friend
were coming down the garden path.
She glanced around TO see IL any one
was in sight, and then with an eager curl
osity in her face crouched closer to the
hedge and listened