Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-10-08
by my blood, I will end this struggle,

Elgln, Sternly. II have watched your
devilish face. and peered into every
wrinkle, and see plainly that there Is
something behind all this buster. DO
you know what think it is?'
LET us hear" sneered Hammond.
81 know you must have found my
WILL" said Elgin. "or you had not
known of James Greene. In the Will
alone was his name mentioned. But,
as am a living man, Luke Hammond,
l believe you have lost IT."
Luke actually staggered with sur
prise. Was Henry Elgin inspired?
"Haw continued Elgln, with bitter,
scornful laugh, II see you have-your
blank visage betrays 1t. Now ! know
why you are torturing my poor child.
She found the will, and has hidden 1t!
Is 1t not so? You are dumb. l have
been thinking all this over, and have
hit the nail on the head. That will you
fear. 1t may blow you to the gallows
at any moment, If you dare to take my
life. You dare not forge a Will Willie
my will Is unf0und. Double-dyed VII.
lain that you are, you are defied!'
Henry Elgin," said Hammond, "the
VIII is lost Your danrlter found and
hid it. But l know it Is In this house.
Now mark the words of n desperate
man. James Greene is dead Removed
SO cunningly that no suspicion Of my
completely can ever be traced to me,
even If such suspicion could possibly
arise. AS for him, let him rest.
removed him because he stood in my
way--because he was assuming the Mt.
tiude of an enemy. / do not wish to
forge II will have my reasons FOR
this reluctance. But If driven to 1t,
will do it. will forge a will in favor
of your daughter. l will force her to
become the wife of my son. No ono
save creatures Of my own shall enter
this house for months after. Your
daughter shall be detained close pris.
Oncr. You shall dle-you hear-you
Henry Elsin, shall die; people read
your tombstone now. AS for the lost
will. If | cannot force your daughter
to reveal the secret. by Heaven! !
will fire this house, and 1t and the will
shall be destroyed forever. What
think you of that, Henry Elgin?'
Hammond lowered above the terri.
fed invalid in all the villainous con:
scousncss of his will to do, his power
70 dare. and his cunning to scheme.
May God deliver me from this mon.
ster" said Elgin. closing his eyes.
Il leave you Elgin, to think the mat.
ter over. You have but few hours left
| ror consideration. Save your llfe-re.
| gain your liberty. Save your daugh.
.crs life. Think of those things. and
| think of me"
Hammond bowed ironically, and
withdrew, locking the door after him.
Here is the key said he. giving
It to Daniel. II have left our friend
food for reflection. Be careful. You
may have to watch all night, for I
nave employed Stephen elsewhere.
Fan. are you thereE
"Ies, am here" said Fan. rising to
her feet.
"Go TO the white and gold chamber.
! See if Mrs. IIarkcr desires anything.
! If not, ask her to come to my library.
and do you remain with Miss Elgin.
But-no escapes this time; no chloro-
| form surprises
Il will be careful. l can't sleep
lOt two minutes at q time said Fan.
30 you know what | see every time
I shut my old twisted eyes-the small
poX twisted 'em-thcy We're handsome
oncc-do you know what l see? Let
Is 90 on into the, hall where Daniel
| can't hear"
Hammond and Fan passed into the
| Aall, and she continued while he
trimmed the wick Of his lamp:
II see James Greene lyin' In the
well, and billions of rats eating him!
| That's what | sce"'
Fool" exclaimed Hammond. start.
ny aside with Il shuddcr Il wish
You were there with him"
II know you do said Fan. shaking
| her head. But l amt going to die,
IAcrc."
".lh, you are sure OF 1t, eh?'
"Quitc sure. I've been told where
I'm going TO die, and how said Fan.
.ingng to his sleeve. II had hIs-
band once-"
There. that will do" said Luke.
breaking away aEErily. keep your
gossip for those that like 1t. l dcspise
It., Fan"
II know 1t, and me. too,' said Fan.
grnnng horribly; but l am of use to
you--you need me for your devll'ry,
and l need you to catch the BRIDES
yellow brides"
Her claws had clutched his sleeve
again, and ho seemed forced to listen
10 her by some unseen and mysterious
| power.
Luke Hammond" said Fan. "after
saw that in the we'll, tried to sleep
in my little room. l did sleep q bit
long enough to have a dream. /
dreamed l saw man-he was man
saw a man whom loved as love my
!ifc-more than lifc-my husband he
was"
LET so my sleeve, Fam" lie ex-
claimed.
Il can't-I can't-something stiffens
my old claws like iron. I'll let so
when I've told ye what l dreamed.
dreamed l saw my husband-he died
thirty years ago-dcd quick rs a fash
Ills son killed him. you Sec
"Wretched woman, let me so" cried
Hammond, raising the hand In which
lie held the lamp as If to strike.
The arm seemed turned to stone. He
trcmbled with q vague and chilly hor-