The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1918-07-11
THE BEACON
BY MARY RANDALL.


DahfA VII
The neighbors and townspeople gem
orally related a weird tale connected
with the familiar beacon. The widow
and her son, Verne Graham, had come
TO Roslyn and had rented the pretty
little cottage. The young man was
brisk, industrious. always had a smile
on his face. and it was no wonder that
he attracted the attention of Marjorie
Dale, who was the nearest neighbor.
( Her life was devoted to the case of a
I crippled father and an invalid mother
She was one Of those sweet, patient
souls whose face IS irradiated with a
purity and gentleness almost ethereal,
and when Verne was called TO a more
promising position in the city her pride
mingled with that Of the fond mother.
and they built great hopes as TO his
business future.
A year went by and twice Verne Wis
tied home, and each week he wrote to
both the dear ones. When he had first
left them Mrs. Graham had looked ear
nestly into his eyes.
'Verne." she said. you see the light
have placed in the window 1t shall
be there ON the darkest night. your
beacon Think Of 1t. cherish IT,"
One day Mrs. Graham and Marjorie
were seated conversing. when a keen
eyed, hard-faced man knocked at the
door. He edged his way into the room,
glancing about sharply.
Il am looking for Verne Graham"
he announced In a tone of assurance (,
and command that somehow chilled /
the hearts Of mother and fiancee.
'He is not here" Mrs. Graham adj 4
vised the visitor. 1T is three months ]
since We saw him last. Even his usual I
letter missed US last week. Oh, sirl
l trust there is no trouble"
SORRY TO say there is" bluntly re-
sponded the stranger. land I am q de-
tective looking for him. He disap-
peared from his work ten days ago,
taking with him twenty thousand dol
lars Of the funds of the company in /
trusted TO his charge"
my son a thief" cried Mrs. Ora
ham. at is false,'
The man shrugged his shoulders in
differently.
Il do not believe him :" breathed
Marjorie, agitatedly There is some
error, some plot. OH be assured of
that. Mother Graham, I am going
straight to the city to ferret out all
the details Of this terrible thing"
Marjorie Dale was received at the :
place where Verne Graham had been a
cashier by the manager. Mr.. Thorpe.
The man was coidly polite and matter
Of fact The money and Verne Graham :.
had vanished together, this man told
Marjorie. I
Marjorie carried a breaking heart r
back to the little country village. She 7
told her story amid the tears TO the c
stricken mother. "Oh. it is vain !"
,ried Marjorie. Verne will never I
come back" !
HE will come" solemnly declared :
he mother. '-Of his innocence or guilt {
What can | say. but he is always my
ION. always welcome. no matter how 5
Hack his sins may be. Some night
he window"
Then came n break in their compan- 5
onShip. Mariorie's father died and a ;
rother insisted on Mrs. Dale making :
Ter home in his household. Marjorie :
vent to the city and became nurse Al
q a public hospital. One night the p,
rord went round that terrible rail- r
Dad accident would send in many suf-
erers for treatment. After the sur
cons had attended TO one victim in
er ward. he delegated the patient TO
larjorie's charge. The man was in
ensible and had sustained frightful y
ijuries. Marjorie was startled as she
acognized him. He was the plant
Mr.. Thorpe. whom Marjorie o
ad called upon in regard TO the dis b,
ppearanee of Verne Graham. d.
Marjorie sat down by the cot. She ii
ecame conscious that the eyes of the CT
atient were fixed upon her. She met OF
lie glance. Ct
I've seen you before" spoke Thorpe. a.
fou were the sweetheart of Verne az az
TRY and keep quiet" directed Mar of
rie gently. 1T will harm you to sa
k" G.,
1--WE got TO talk almost shouted
e man. in wild strain of excitement. De
want you 10 send at once for Mr..
oodson. the head of our house. 1t Us
vital. ii must be done. and more for -
ur sake than my own" a.
Marjorie consulted the head nurse 0a
ID Mr.. Woodson was sent for. He Sc
rived within the hour. As Marjorie
aced a chair by the bedside of the sa
tient and moved out of hearing. the Ju
tier called out insistently:
mo. no-she must hear. too. Mr..
Verne Green never stole shat =
enty thousand dollars. II was | who
| ii. worked out plot against him
d hired some persons as wicked as ces
self 10 hold him in captivity. Take
wn my confession and the details OF del
ere this man whom have so cruelty ira
onged can be found and rescued" Ne
Thorpe breathed his last the next -
rnins The wealthy and humane H.e