Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-08-05

Then. exhausted, she ankrto the rocks,
her basilisk glance fixed on the waters.
|. sAfar she saw q cleaning star of light,
the lantern of the steamer; nearer and
nearer it seemed to drift toward the rock
lined coast
Then it went out suddenly. A minute
later a rocket shot skyNard. 1t announced
evil schemes of the heartless siren, Bea-
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 tho imperiled steamer, of the mystery
of the extinguished beacon.
81 must not be seen here, she mur-
INJURED.
She arose and stnrted to fly down the
beach and reach the villa unperceived.
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 man hurrying
down the beach.
She paled as she recognized him.
1t was Wilfred 1home's friend, Forbes.
ne TeSiTu6u the NOUldn uuluLeuly.
"You here, Miss Langley" he ejaculat-
ed IN wonderment. =, -
She stammered out an incoherent ex-
PLANTATION.
"You have heard?" he said excitedly.
Some one has extinguished the light in
the tower yonder, and it is believed that
the. Hatteras has gone 10 pieces"
The Hatteras" repeated Beatrice, "Was
not Mr.. Thorne 8 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 dream she stood rooted to
the spot. - = 1
She heard a confused babel of sound
about her, and distinguished Forbes voice
imploring the fisherman to put off boat
to the rescue of the steamer.
"No boat would live in such a sea as
that" was the discourn"ing 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 seized the oars.
For one moment they saw IL 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, however, that delirium gave al
most superhuman strength to Beatrice
Langley.
The frail boat was tossed like leaf to
and fro, yet she resolutely handled the
oaFso and. .aF0Sf theft6e nfHiods group on
the beach witnessed strange sight.
They hastened to the waves as they bore
face, Beatrice Langley, was struggling in
the waves.
Her arm encircled the inanimate form of
Wilfred Thorne, TO whom in turn clung
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
Langley's eyes, and then they saw her sink
inanimate 10 the bench. the blood flowing
from ghastly wound in her head made
by the rocks.
One hour later, at Glen Villa, the siren
lay in her room, n physician lowering over
her with serious face.
AT hls 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 rock. Himself
and Ethel had escaped to small boat and
cut it loose.
The oarless boat bore them. shoreward
with fearful velocity.
With an awful crash ii had at last struck
o rock, and they were precipitated into the
water.
Wilfred was no swimmer. With his ter
rifed fiancee clinging to his side he gave
up all for lost.
At that moment boat passed them. 1t
contained Beatrice Langley. She could
not direct it 10 them. With wild cry she
sprang toward them.
She ,cmed not to notice Ethel. In tones
of delirious delight she spoke Wilired's
name; she clasped lis form as he was about
TO sink.
With fierce strength she swan shoreward.
"Heaven bless her, brave soul she saved
u.s." concluded Wilfred, with tears i'll his
eyes.
At that moment the doctor entered the
room.
"Your patient, Miss Langley" asked
Wilfred, anxionsly.
The physician looked grave.
"She is dying"
"Ah, it can not bel"
"I fear she has been mortally injured"
"She IL con sciousi"
"Yes, and wishes 10 see YOU"
"Tell her how we thank her; tell her our
lives shall be devoted to her for her noble
heroisih, spoke Ethel, impulsively, as Will
fred left the room.
"Beatricep
He spoke the name tenderly, tearfully,
as, a 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 TLorne," she murmured, al
love you. 1 am dying, they tell me. 1
know you are affianced to another; l know
you can never love me. One dying favor
Will you make my last moments happyP
Will You pity the heart that knows only love
for your"
In dire amnzement wilfred Thorne hesi-
tated for a moment.
ave owe you our lives. Tell me; any
favor we can bcstow shall be yours" he
finally replied.
"Then here dying make me your wife.
Is il too much TO ask2 shall never live to
come between you and Ethel Lansing.
OH have loved you so fondly, SO hope
lesslyl"
Her voice was wall of anguish.
He believed her dying; he pilied, he al-
most loved her for her heroic devotion.
1t was the wish of dying woman. He
conld not refuse those eager, love-deluged
eyes.