Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-09-03

By Prof. VIM. Henry Peck,

Copyright 1895,
By ROBERT BoNNER's Sons.
eau rights rcserVed)

place my trust where my mother
TAUGHT me to place 1t, and where
know she now is-in heaven"
She pointed upward as she spoke, and
the noble dignity and confidence of her
face and attitude abashed Hammond
while he admired.
"By NY blood!' he muttered, as ha
left the room and strobe along the hall,
II half wish Charles may refuse. That
girl begins to turn my brain. But to
force her to marry me will be infinitely
harder than to make her Mrs. Charles
Hammond. Surely my son will arrive
his day"
He met Stephen pacing the hall.
"How is he?" asked Luke.
awake and wants to see you," said
stephen.
"He is perfectly sensible, then?'
Eyes, sir, and would talk with me II
I would answer him." said Stephen.
II will give him a chance to wag his
J tongue" said Hammond, with hard,
, cruel smile, as he entered the crimson
chamber.
Good day, Elgin." said Luke, taking
n seat near the bed. II am rejolccd to
see your eye so clear. You feel better:
"Villaln! Have you come to renew
your tortures" groaned Henry Elgih
Where is my childT'
"She Is in the white-and- gold cham
her. Henry Elgin, and there to remain
until she shall become Charles Ham
mond's wife"
"Shc will die there, then. FOO shF
loves James Greene" said Elgin'
"-Alas! my poor child!
"She may forget James Greene II
you command her to marry Charlea
| Hammond"
II shall not command her. You know
/ 1t we'll, scoundrel."
mot even to save your lfe-to regain
health and freedom. Henry Elgin"
mo; not for twenty such lives al
mine would l make my daughter miser
able. My life and liberty. You dar'
not give me my liberty; my life you arg
stealing from me by slow torture
"To save her life. then, will you com:
mand her to wed Charles Hammond",
Monster! Will you dare harm that
Innocent girl, the child of your sister!'
"She must become Mrs. Hammond.
have sworn it, plotted 1t for years.
Luke Hammond" said Elgin, my
purse has often saved you from ruin
My house has been your home foi
years. All that enjoyed you shared,
Your sister was my wife; my child II
your niece Have you no humanity
no gratitude?
"None Henry Elgin,' said Luke.
None, when to show such would ht
to ruin myself. / am upon the verge
of bankruptcy. I have 10 friend OF
whom l can borrow. If fail it will be
proved fraudulent bankruptcy. ]
have been entrusted with large SUM
by various persons. Those sums
have used in speculations. and lost
every dollar. A time for settlement iq
near ut hand. You are rich, very richI
and could have saved me year ago"
THE riches you call mine by right be-
long to James Greene" said Elgint
land you are already largely indebted
to me for money advanced
TOO late to speak Of that now" said
Hammond. Though all believe you tc
be dead, | have prevented settlomen'
OF your affairs. My notes due to You
have destroyed Think you will suf'
fer you to go free with the power ana
will to ruin me? DO what l tell you
make over all your property to your
| daughter. as all men now believe YOU
have already done. Command your
daughter to become the wife of my
son, and you shall go free"
"You would not dare trust me free
You would murder me after having
gained your purpose" said Elgin.
Not If you would pledge me your
solemn word of honor Henry ElSin
to leave me unmolcsted.'
"What If l advance you the money
you need to save your reputation?'
asked Elgin.
"Yon cannot. Henry Elgin." sait
Hammond you are dead to thu
world. Make will dated prior to TIN
day OF your supposed death. leaving
your property to your child, and sh'
can advance the money at your COM
mand. You cannot appear again IL
New York while I am in it."
' you would fly elsewhere with th1
money" said Elgin. "You are a de-
faulter, a villain, and would use thu
money so gained to pay your debts
Nor shall defraud James Greene any
longer of his rights. have been bad
man, and now am suffering my JUS
punishment. Years ago the father OF
James Greene, when dying. made me
the guardian Of his infant son. who
pow loves my daughter l was false tc
bhe trust. Young Greene had no rela
lives. and I easily gained undisputed
possession Of the property. Then ap
brenticcd the boy to learn the carpen
ser's trade. During the last three years
Of my life among men repented of my
yillainy. For the sake of my child
dared not reveal my crime, but
look course which would have right
I'd James Greene and left her with al
pnstained name, had you not inter
Tered. do not think you dare to mur
hnx In,,n l.,