The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-04-29
CHAPTER XII.
Continued.

head. 81 have already examined Dan
Gel. he says when you employed him.
more than q year ago. you directed him
to procure Just such thing a. she is
old, strong, Of weak mind. and avari.
cIous. Fan was an old apple woman,
whose miserable stand was near the
Bowery Theatre. Her home was den
under ground In the Five Points. Dan.
eel thought she would suit you, and %
engaged her. He knows NO more
about her"
Hammond folded his arms and
knitted bis heavy brows In bitter
thought. but at length he struck his fist
upon the table saying:
II do not know who she isl do not
Wish to know. Nancy Hafker. It II bet.
ter for us not to know"
$50 be IT," said Nancy. AZ she rose.
-Henceforth and forever. let her be
who she may to rs, she is-"
"Old Fanl Nothing morew ex-
claimed Hammond. "Now. how are
our prisoners"
Doing well" replied Nancy. Dan
iel PAGES the hall"
"And stephenT asked Luke.
"Sleepe. It Ii his turn"
A bell tinkled below as Nancy spoke,
and She continued:
"The front door bell! Who can II be
10 O'Clock. toor'
why do you tremble 80. NancyT'
asked Hammond, surprised at her ter
TOT. 1.-TWO days ago. nay. yesterday,
an evil spirit might have walked you in
the dead Of night, and you would not
have quafled. Now the slightest noise
makes You start and shiver as II q NOR.
tal sickness seized you"
II know II. Luke. I know It too
well" said Nancy. ''and 1t warns me
that am near my death"
"Bahw laughed Luke. "You are
thinking Of Harriet Foss."
II thought my nerves were iron."
said Nancy. 81 thought was rs
strong Of heart rs you. Luke. but de-
celved myself. While Harriet Foss
ives am near my oe0tn.
why more than II"
II am not"
"Then be assured that you WIN live
10 share the riches Of Henry Elgin with
me-" said Hammond. BE bold and
brave again. Nancy. want no COW.
ards around me. Listen. The bell
rings again. Stephen sleeps: Fan will
not bulge q step unless commanded;
20 answer the bell"
II dare not" said Nancy. '"I dread
10 open the door. lest fierce and terri
bic woman shall dart in upon me and
stab me to the heart. crying:
"'Murderess OF my sister! I've
found you at last!"
"You are q fool, Nancy!' exclaimed
Luke. Turned coward after being
brave for years. 1 will 50. Is the hall
Nghted?
"Yes-be careful, Luke; II You should
perish. what becomes or me?
Perish! II Woman, you viii make
Q coward Of me yet. Men have struck
uISo6S oho Nv SSo SAA&AA
! fear q woman? Bah!'
And unlocking the door he passed
out Just as the bell clattered again.
He strode on until his hand rested
upon the doorknob at the vestibule.
Then he paused for q moment. and
when he opened the door his right hand
srasped q cooked pistol behind him as
he muttered:
"a cunning man or woman must he
or she be to surprise Luke Hammond"
The form In the vestibule stepped In
at q stride.
"John Marksv eclaimed Luke.
"Close the door! Bolt. bar 1t strong.
Out with that ughtv' cried Marks. Il
am watched! Harriet Foss knows you
are In New York;
His advice was hurriedly followed.
and Luke led the way to his library
with trembling limbs.
After all his bluster he feared. as
Nancy Harker feared, though he
showed II less.
"Here Is some one whom you know,
John Marks" said Luke. M Nancy
rose to meet them.
Man and wife. long separated, mutu.
ally hating. gazed upon each other long
and steadily.
"Yes. 1t IL. or was. my wife," said
yohn Marks. 'Grown older than years
could make her. I bring you bfave
news-what u your name now.
womanY
Zone have q right to bear" replied
Nancy. II married after divorce freed
me from you. and my husbands name
was Harker."
"Was" sneered Marks. Then he is
deadT'
"Yes. he Is dead. That Is nothing to
John Marks" said Nancy. what news
ID this you bring?"
"I'n tell II after my own fashion" "
replied Marks. "But first. can this
light be seen from the street:"
mo. Why do you ask:" said Nancy
growing white as she glanced toward
the window.
"Some people," said Marks. sitting
down. '.are very bold In seeking fol
others. that's all. II a house Is dari
and shut up such people might rather
pass II than disturb Its inmates will
sharr questioning
Nancy Harker glanced from him te
Hammond. The latter nodded ant
said:
Harriet Foss knows ! am in New
York;