Catoctin clarion., 1903-12-10
CHAPTER XIV.
,Author Of the "1Es Stone. Cutter
y Of Lisbon" Etc.

Continued.
81 have seen that cloud-surrounded
Pace. my fathers face. and more dis
nnctly than ever before. The same
warning, too, to beware Of Harrle:
Floss. And am l not bewaring of that
Uoman7 John Marks will remove her
10 win his son. And such a son! l
dreamed that idiot was my son. and
that he called me Father! Father!
until my brain reeled with the shrill-
ness Of his cries. But, worst Of all, l
dreamed of James Greene--of James
Greene and my two dead wives. l
Thought saw him holding them by the
hand, and climbing up out of the old
well--climbing, climbing. until they all
got in here, and then the floor opened
under me, and l fell, whirling down
a thousand years, amid imps, idiots
and dead men. until stopped, mangled
to a pulp, in lake of burning brandy!
Horrible! I awoke, and the sun was
shining In my face with a gleam that
blinded me. Then l dreamed that I
sought for the lost will, aud not finding
it, fired the house, and saw everybody
in 1t escape except myself, who was
grasped by James Greene, and held in
the we'll until it was red hot and l a
cinder"
He rambled on Of his dreams,
trembling and nervous, until Stephen
sneaked into the library.
/ Stephen" said Hammond, take
these letters to the postofflce. Then
call at my Office in Wall street for
letters, and say that am out of town.
Thereof an order for you to get the
letters. Then go to No. - Mott street.
Ask for Mr.. Thomas Allday. Tell him
his note is due, and that he will. be
wanted some time tonight. Tell him
he shall have his note and its value
in cash besides if he Is found not want
ing. Then hurry home"
Stephen took the letters and de-
parted. After bathing, as was his
custom, Hammond breakfasted, and
was returning TO his library, when old
Fan sprang up i'll his path and said:
"Mr. Hammond, l want to go away"
"Go where? You are better off here
than you can hope to be elsewhere"
said Hammond, eyins her suspiciously.
II want to go away" said the old
creature, sitting down on the steps. and
rocking herself backward and forward.
81 want to 90 away from this dread
full house, Luke Hammond. My yellow
brides aren't safe here"
; "Come, this is all nonsense" said
luke, angrily. "Get up; get out Of my
way. wish to pass up to the library
mot until you can tell me | can 20
can 60, Luke Hammond" said Fan.
"You must tell me you won't set the
dogs on me, and let me 60"
Luke looked at her sharply.
"What do you wish to so after"
said he.
after! Nobody" said Fan.
"You lie, you old hag. You wish to
betray me. Go to your kitchen; and
remember, my eye is on you always"
Eyes, yes-so is his-so is his" said
Fan, hiding her face in her apron.
"His? Whose" demanded Luke.
! "James Greene's - yes! James
Greene's," said Fan. His eye is al
ways on NEON me! just as he looked
when the floor sank under him and he
went down-down; but he comes up!-
he comes up! and he creeps and crawls
all over the house, looking at meat
me! and for you-for you!"
"Old woman, l must tie you up"
thought Hammond, as she rose and
crept slowly away. "You are growing
very dangerous"
He entered his library, and pulled
a bell cord. then called out quick and
sharp. like a snap:
"Come up! Quick"
Then, pacing around the table with
uneasy steps, he muttered:
"The old woman grows dangerous.
We must act, and Immediately"
When Nancy entered he said:
"Well, it has reached that point"
| Nv nat point, LukeE
"That point at which necessity de-
mands that Fan shall be secured"
said he.
"Does she suspect?" asked Nancy.
81 care not whether she suspects or
not" said Luke, savagely. II scent
danger in the air, Nancy Harker.
While slept this morning my dreams
were horrible-terrific. shudder now
In remembering them"
Nancy smiled.
! "Oh, you may grim" said Luke "But
: tell you that dreams have frightened
me for the first time in my life of fifty
years. And now, at this instant, q
sense of rapidly nearing peril so racks
my brain. my nerves, my whole being,
that the very air. smells of imminent
danger"
Hammond drew his tall, lean figure
rigidly erect, and tossing back his long,
narrow head, until his cruel face was
turned upward, dilated his eyes and
nostrils. and repeated, sweeping his
hands in a wild circle:
II scent danger in the air."
On the stairs, not five feet from tho
open door of the little library, old Far
was peeping through the banisters. hel
keen, witch.like eyes on level will
the floor. But she could not see Ham
mond nor Nancy, and was aR upper
ee,ved By them 49, ~.