Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-08-27
he rocky beach some distance from the

Then it went out sue Aenly. A minute
alter rocket shot skyNard 1t announced
! signal OF distress, ar d the success of the |
Evil schemes of the hea,tless siren, Rea-
rice Langley.
She pictured her rival dead, removed
from her path, her tswn future assured, and
then started.
Hurrying forms were coming doEn the
beach. She hea I'd voices excitedly speak
of the imperiled steamer, of the mystery
of the extinguis he'd beacon.
must not be seen here" she MUIR
INJURED.
She AROSE and stated to fly down the
beach and reach the villa unperceiyed.
A sudden flare of light halted and
blinded her. Some enc 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 Thornes friend, Forbes.
He regarded the woman amazedly.
You bore, Miss Langley2" 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 to pieces"
"The Hatteras?" repeated Beatrice, aWas
not Mr.. Thorne's fiancee 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 tae 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.
She heard a confused babel Of sound
about her, and distinguished Forbes voice
imploring the fisherman to put of boat
to the rescue of the steamer.
"No 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
with wild cry, had sprung into boat
lying on the beach. and seized 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, 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
oars, and drove the boat seward.
Half an hour later the anxious group on
the beach witnessed q strange sight.
They fastened to the waves as they bore
singular burden to the shore.
woman with cleaning eyes and pallid
face, Beatrice Langley, was struggling in
the waves.
Her arm encircled the inanimate form of
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
Lan9ley's eyes, and then they saw her sink
inanimate to the beach, the blood flowing
from 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
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 it had at last struck
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 to them. With wild cry she
sprang toward them.
She seemed not to notice Ethel. In tones
of delirious delight she spoke Wilfreds
name; she clasped his 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 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 bel"
II rear she mas Deeu morally 1nJureQ.
"She is conscious?"
Eyes, 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 Will
fred left the room.
| "Beatrice!"
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 Thorne," she murmured, 81
love you. am dying, they tell me. I
know you are afianced 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 Thorne hesi-
tated for moment.
eve owe you our lives. Tell me; any
favor we can bestow shall be yours, /" he
finally replied.
Then here-dying- me your wife.
Is il too much to ask? Ishall never live to
come between you and Ethel Lansing.
| Oh! have loved you so fondly, so hope
lessly!"
| Her voice was vail of anguish.
| He believed her dying; he pitied. he al