Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1886-08-21
Sea BEACH LIGHTHOUSE.
BY HARRY BALDWIN.

shall bring to my feet the proud and hand
some man who can make me mistress of
Glen Villa and CT all his immense fortune"
The speaker was a dark, beautiful
woman of thirty years, with eyes that
rivaled the diamond in their piercing glow,
and long flowing hair that formed sable
crown of glory TO her perfect woynanhood.
The time was eventide, the close of a
dark, sullen day i'll November, full of fit
full shadows and mystic echoes.
Through the lowering pines and frtrees
the lurid, angry western sky filtered a film
of ruddy color that tinged the rocks with
sickly glare.
Beyond the gen, with its pretty villa
and artistic lawns and garden slopes, tn
sea dashed fretfully on the rock-bound
coast.
Voices Of the air and sky seemed in
complete harmony with the emotions OF
the woman who, light drapcry over her
head and shoulders, stood by a hedge.
looking mcditativoly through a ravne t.
ward the ocean.
There was triumph and horcfulness 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.
AS she stood there, a picture of sinister
and rcpellant rather than onticing 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. Thornc, OF
Glen Villa.
She had left behind her dark and bitter
past. willful, wicked coquette, she had
broken score Of hearts, finally welded
faithful, loving man named Ernest Wal
Jron, had tired of his devotion, and in u
moment of cruel wickedness abandoned
him, taking with her all of his money she
could secure.
Then there was a brief, fitting, fcvered
life at fashionable watering place, and
then, her il-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 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 Pcatrice Langley,
as she chose to call herself, had secured
the position alluded to.
She was tired of the old lite, she longed
for rest and seclUsion, and she found 1t al
Glen Villa, and her life had become calmcr
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 occu rrcd, in the return to his
home, after long so ourn in Europe, Of
the heir TO the Thorne estates, the son of
the invalid, an episode which changed all
the currents of Beatrice Langley's exist
ence.
Tho idol of his mother, brave, earnest,
handsome, tho first glance from his ewes
conquered the beautiful siren, and tho
wicked heart that had treated the honest
love of honeat men as plaything knew
herself all the bitter of fervent, DIS
BiOnate esteem.
She knew that he was wealthy, she
fancied he was heart free. From III It 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 hor fascinating companion had
led 10 frequent meetings in the drawing
rooms, to strolls TO the beach, and moonlii
drives.
Wilfred Thomc was lonely Mt 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 hattcred him.. A month
more would have ccmented the dang ,roua
companionship, and the siren whispered
fercely to her ardent heart that sooner o.
later she would certainly win his love and
entrap him into a marriage.
1t 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
a gentleman friend TO the villa, but had
found time to drive Miss Langley down tho
beach, and she fancied that the pressure of
his hand was more fervent, his glance
more friendly than ever when they parted.
Cruel delusiol! In her vanity and wil!ful
determination the siren overestimatcd her
own powers of witchery.
1t was destined that in that very hour sho
should learn her fate, and became melted
to an act tragic, cruel, and heartlessly re-
vengeful.
J dazzling dream of wealth and comfort
was ludely dspelled by the sound of APP
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 theirvoiccs
Wilfred Thorne and his gentleman friend
were coming down the garden path.
She glanced around to see if any one
was in sight, and then with an eager curl
osity in her face crouched closer to the
hedge and listened.
The two men came just opposite to where
she was and halted.
$50 you are going away?" Beatrice heard
young Thorne's friend ask.
"ics, within an hour. You must try and
pass the time till return. You will find
Miss Langley most charming companion
for walk or drive, Forbes"
Wilfreds companion shrugged his shoul-
ders.
Il have no especial liking for dark
women, Wilfred. Besides, half suspect
you have claim on her affections"
"I?"
The listening weman's heart stood still
Mt the utter amazemant betrayed in WiIfred
Thorne's tone.
"Yes, mon ami. You have certainly
been very attentive to the lady, aud if /