Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1891-06-10
THE HAUNTED BEACON.

tached, but his intimate friends called
him by his christian name of Russell
He was gay young man, given to
late hours and dissipation when ashore
and he gambled heavily, far beyond
the limits of his pay.
But then Midshipman Mordecai
was the heir of rich uncle who sup
piled him literally with funds, it was
said.
The uncle was an old bachelor and
very wealthy.
He had had sister and a brother
and Russell Mordecai was the son OF
the latter, and another nephew, Dor
sey Vale, was the son of the former.
The brother and sister. widower
and widow, upon dying had left their
sons to the guardianship of their
brother, and in his hands had placed
the little fortune that would come to
them when they were of age.
The bachelor uncle had prospered
quietly and had become q very rich
man, and he told his nephews they
should be equally his heirs.
His home was OIL the shores OF
Chesapeake Bay, and grand old
home it was, with its thousands OF
acres surrounding it.
While Russell Mordecai went in
the navy as MILDLY, Dorsey Vale
went to college and spent his vacations
at Mordecai Hall, as the estate was
called.
He was fne-looking youth, good
student, popular with professions and
his fellows alike, and was devoted to
his uncle.
After completing his studies he
went to Mordecai Hall to dwell and
devoted himself to his uncle. who was
not in the best of health.
Soon after Russell Mordecai came
home on three months leave, and
he at once seemed to gain an influence
over his uncle, for he told him that
Dorsey should be sent abroad for q
years travel, and then he provided Il
fall in love with his cousins lady love
a lovely young girl who lived on the
neighboring plantation.
The result of Midshipman Morde.
CATS advice to the uncle was thai
Dorsey Vale went abroad for years.
travel, and when in Spain met there
his cousin the midsbipman. whose yes
sci was in port, and whom he was de
lighted to see.
Mordecai took him on board, in
PRODUCED him to his brother officers
and all went well until one nigh
when ashore, and the wine cup wa:
flowing freely, one of the youn.
officers picked a quarrel with Dorsey
, Vale, and insulting him grossly, was
promptly knocked down.
The result was challenge, and I
party of four, three midshipmen ant
Dorsey Vale repaired the next after
noon to a lonely spot on the shore t.
engage in duel.
Mordecai of course was the secont
of his cousin, and the preliminarie
were well arranged, the principal
, placed and pistols handed to them.
At the first fire Dorsey Vale fell
and with cry ofhorror Midshipmal
Mordecai sprung forward. rs the sec
ond of the other midshipman caugb
him in his arms.
"Will he die ?" he gasped.
II fear So" was the reply.
All were alarmed. and rs no on
knew of the affair it was decided [
place his pistol by him, for he SCENE
to have already breathed his last, an
let it be thought that he had commit
ted suicide, or accidentally shot him
, self
So the sailors returned to their vel
sci, sworn to secrecy, aud that nigl
the ship sailed.
: The body of the young America
was found by fisherman, soon afte
and word was sent to the consul ,
the United States and from theme
) the news went TO Mordecai Hall.
The shock was severe one to II
uncle. who had dearly loved b
nephew, and hastened his death u
doctor said.
The young maiden, too, who la
dearly loved Dorsey Vale. grieve
deeply for him.
A year after Midshipman Mordec
returned home. to find himself vel
rich man, and he gave up his bert
!. in the navy and settled down to Ii
of luxury.
he He seemed to feel deeply his cousin
death, and that he had urged him