Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-12-17
Copyright 1895.
by RoBynr BoNNER's SoNs.
(AH rights reserred.)

hood. As he told me of your having
charge of the affair, grew stronger in
a suspicion had already conceived"
"a suspicion" cried Nancy.
Eyes. A suspicion that was born in
a wish when first saw Charles" said
Marks. when I saw him. and learned
what a noble heart he had, l wished
that God had given me such a son.
Nancy Harker. Since I have met you
and your brother the wish grew into
a suspicion. The suspicion made me
desire to see your face when YOU
should see Charles after separation
of years. feigned sleep and saw
your agitation, and then. Nancy Har-
ker, the suspicion became certainty il
my mind"
Nancy Harker was as pale End rio-
tionless as if carved from white mar
bic.
Now, Nancy Harker. is Charles not
my SON."
Nancy was not so strong and brave
as she had been all her life, and re-
membering the dead body of her moth
er in the room above. and weakened
by the web of crime and danger in
which she was entangled, sho dared
not lie.
"John Marks" said she, in 4 whisper.
though speaking tongue her brother
could not have understood even if he
had heard. Charles is our SON"
John Marks heaved deep sigh and
said:
you only assert what l believe.
But now tell me. Nancy Harker what
you would have done had l not dis
covered the secret Of your life: AS my
son lives, does the son OF this Luke
Hammond, your brother. still live:'
"Hc does. See his portrait" said
Nancy, taking the picture Of the idiot
from her bosom.
John Marks gazed at tie uGl!ncss
with surprise, and returning The pie
ture. said
Il pity him. From ny sorl pity
him. Had you shown me such sou,
Nancy Harker, and proved him mine.
would have gone mad on the spot,
ind torn you to pieces. We We're man
and wife once, let us be friends and
allies again. for the sake Of our son
Give me that picture again. may
have use for it,"
She gave it to him drearlily. She
was thinking of the rage that would
follow when Luke HammCld chou.d
learn this secret.
! At length she asked;
! How did you prevent Charles .rO.l
leaving New York.
He was sitting il tie car" said
Marks, "and they were about to start,
when 1 said to him. Wait for few
hours. You have time enough. and I
do not think the woman you love has
left New York He followed me at
once. I had already gained his affec-
ton. and as he bad made me his con-
fldant, he was willing to trust me-
farther. We returned to The Metropol
itan Hotel. l have told you enough,
Nancy Harkcr Now tell me what is
this you and Luke Hammond are do.
ing? Or, rather, what do you expect 10
gain by it,"
"A fortune for ny SON." said Nancy
Harker; and this was the purpose IN
accomplish which she had aided in i'm
prlsoninS Elgn and his daughter.
Il was III England she said. when
my brother wrote to me to come to
America to aid him in This dangerous
affair l hoped Charles and Catharinc
Elgin would love each other when they
met. But circumstances have pre-
vented their meeting. and that part OF
the plot has fallen TO the earth"
"Forsake the whole" said John
Marks. Leave your brother to work
out his own villainy.'
But where il ny c-l? Where is
Charles asked Nancy
"He is we'll" said Mars, cva5ivcl%.
But once a@aiu. will you abaLdol thi:
dangerous plan?'
"If you will prove to me that Harriet
FoSs is no more, WILL" said Nancy.
"If show you the body this night.
Nancy Harker, will you abandon your
brother?'
Nancy reflected. She resolved to ln.
She would do anything to know that
Harriet Foss was dead. to be freed
from that terrible warning from the
grave.
IL will" said She aloud. But in her
heart she said. when have seen the
body of Harriet Foss, l will be avenged
on you, John Marks. who have stolen
my secret from me"'
And John Marks said in his heart:
"You lie. Nancy Harker! You would
have tricked me--you and your sly
brother. You shall be tricked tonight.
and then let the law catch you both.
for all care" Marks then said aloud:
when you have seen the body Of Har-
riet Foss, you shall see Charles"
$50 be it, said Nancy. And now.
let not Luke Hammond dream of this"
Not l." said Marks.
They returned to the library. Ham.
moud was writing.
Nancy Harker has proved to me tina t
NY son exiass," said Marks. aoldly,