Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-12-22
CHAPTER VIII.

Ono thought had been dominant in
Che heart of Beatrice Mercer since the
moment that Raymond Marshalls dis
covery Of her dUplicity had crushed her
with humiliation. A bitter, cruel re-
solve that, come what might he should
mover again see the face OF the woman
he loved!
"Patience!" her fierce heart had
throbbed out. HE loves her yet; he
knows her to DO true. He despises mo,
but-he shall yet love mo. | cannot lose
him. He shall never find or wed Edna
Deane."
Then, calming her fierce, resolute
nature to subtle, sinister regard of all
tho issues in the case in which mingled
love and jealousy involved her, Beatrice
Mercer fell to studying the chances in
her favor.
She knew where Edna had gone; tho
letter that Edna had only half read,
amid her excitement and anxiety, had
boon conned over and over again by the
plotting Beatrice.
It's contents gave her an insight Of tho
character OF tho father who had sent
for his beloved child, into his secrets as
we'll, and she knew that one OF two
things would happen when Edna reached
home-hcr father would order her to
forget all friends OF the past, or, if any
letter or word was sont to Raymond
Marshall, it would be through her
friends.
AS tho days passed by, however, and
no word was received, she grew puz-
zled disturbed, and finally anxious
The evening preceding that upon which
Raymond Marshall appeared at the
Seminary to find her gone, however, she
.Iit hat If, lad hnr. ,t..
q new train of thought and action, UNI
expected, vivid, exciting.
A student living at quite Il distance
receivcd regularly tho weekly paper
published at her home, and glancins
over this, Beatrice felt tho blood rush
from her heart through icy channels, as
she noted an item that told her intui-
lively that she hal found Il trace Of the
missing Edna at last.
1t was the record OF tho death by
drowning OF Il man and girl; tho ac-
count Of tho scene Mt that broken
bridge, where tho two villagers had
seen Edna Dcanc's companion plunge
to his DEATH and had accredited Edna
herself with falling Il victim to the
same fate.
Within an hour, from careful study
OF the item and from Il knowledge OF
tho route taken by Edna and her guide,
Beatrice knew that she no longer had u
rival. Edna Deano was dead!
She knew something more. She know
that with the death of these two had
perishcd mighty socret-thaC some-
whcre-and she knew whore, WI anX
ious father Wa awaiting the return OF
his beloved daughter. TO lay at her feet,
rs an atonemcnt Tor tho forced neglect
OF years, a royal fortune.
The next morning Beatrice MERGERS
mind was made up. All night long she
had plotted and planned. The jealous
minded school girl Of the night previous
had become in u few brief hours Il will
full, wicked siren, imbued with schemes
as bold and cruel as the hardest heart
ever yet designed.
She went straight to the town where
Edna and her companion had diSap-
poarcd. Within twcnty-four hours she
was satisfied that both had met thoir
fate in the turbulent torrent that flowed
beneath the b, oxen rustic bridge.
For wealth--for Raymond MarshalPs
iove!" she murmured resolutely, as. n
fow hours later, she took a train for the
next station.
Evening shadows were creeping over
the autumnal landscape as Beatrice
WtTtcF ltIt INC ilbllt ucpob anu NdiAtu
towards the outskirts Of the village.
In the dim light she made out an
antique but magnificent mansion, occu-
plying elaborate grounds, but surround
ed by great. high walls
so near to home and then to lose
life, fortune, and love!" m1rmured the
steely hearted siren. Poor Edna, but
| cannot miss this royal chance.
Her eyes sparkled as she drew from
her pocket little chain and locket that
Edna had worn at school and which she
had LETT behind her in her hurry to go
TO seek her father
She calmed herself. as If for a mighty
>ordeal, rs she seized tho bell-knob at
the iron gate and sounded one resonant,
discordant peal through the gloomy
structure beyond.
Fairly on the threshold" she hrcathed
wildly, yet exultautly, as she awaited Il
reply to her summons-"one bold stroke,
a single resolute assumption, and |
shall DO mistress Of wealth untold, to
pave tho way to the heart Of the man
| love-Raymond Marshall"