The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-04-01

! ker," said Luke. you know ! am nc
more her uncle than Daniel Is. I begin
to love that girl. She looks like q
queen"
You are q fool" said Nancy. why
not forge a viii in favor Of yourself. II
you can destroy the genuine, or force
Henry Elgin to make one in your ia
vor?"
"Nonsense" said Hammond. "Men-
the world would suspect villainy at
once-the law might smash the viii to
atoms-besides, I should have to re-
move Elgin and his daughter. Too
mach removing. and I dread to forge"
True. and justly" said Nancy; IRE.
membering how your fingers have been
burned In other cases."
Speak loww! said Luke. 1--WE may
place ourselves in the power Of the ser.
wants"
I'VE are now. as for that" said
Nancy.
"And they in ours: 80 wen all float
or sink In the same boat"
Tell me-" asked Nancy. after q long
pause. III You shall succeed In forcing
Henry Elgip to make q will In your IA.
vor. and In forcing Kate to marry you.
or your son, what guarantee have you
that Henry Elgln or she will not on
first chance denounce you to the au-
thorities"
"Idiotr' exclaimed Luke. do you
suppose I shall ever permit Henry e.
Gin to leave this house alive? Is he not
already dead to the world? Could or
he account to the world for his sup
posed death and burial? No; Henry Ell.
gin only lives until the genuine will
shall have been destroyed"
But II James Greene be destroyed.
what matters the will"' asked Nancy.
IF it should ever be found. foolish
woman" replied Luke. people would
remember the disappearance Of James
Greene. Then In their minds would ex-
Ist n cause for that disappearance-the
will in his favor! That cause would be
that another might possess the estate.
and as I would be the possessor. ha!
Luke Hammond might hang for the
murder Of James Greene"
Good" said Nancy. "Yeu are care
full. But after Greene and Elgin shall
have been removed, and Kate has be-
come your wife. or the wife Of your
son. what security will you have that
her hate or vengeance shall not con-
sumo you as fire does stubble:"
"She shall remain a prisoner until
tanned to love her husband. or-go
madm said Hammond.
Go madw exclaimed Nancy.
"Go mad. or debut that Is far
ahead as yet" said Hammond; land
the present Is more to be feared by u
than the future"
Neither Of the wicked pair cast a
thought toward the great and awful fu.
ture Of the life after death: or. II either
did, twas not shown by word or look.
And now" said Hammond. placing
writing materials before him, for the
decoy note to James Greene. He has
a note Of hers In hand-I heard her tell
him that she sent him n inviting him
here. She keeps a diary-you will find
1t in her ROOM"
Nancy Harker hurried away and soon
returned with Catharine Elgln's diary.
Hammond placed 1t before him MS q
guide in his forgery and began to write.
THAT note may be left elsewhere by
James Greene" said Nancy. wishing to
display her shrewdness. land may
guide q search for him hither."
Il am providing against that" said
Hammond, as he wrote. he was a
skillful penman. and soon read his pro.
duction as follows:
New York. March 10. IS.
my Dearest James-Mr. II. has gone
to. Baltimore on business which will
detain him for several days. We must
improve the opportunity. Unfortunate
ly I am quite Ill to-day. and unable to
meet you at Z. but you must come to
see me between o and 10 tonight. To.
gether we will seek for the cause Of
the mysterious noises In this house.
"As Mr.. II. has spies all around me.
and especially one who resides oppo.
site. and who will tell Of your visit II
you are recognized. you must come In
disguise. I have bribed Daniel, one Of
the servants. to take this note to you.
and Fan. the cook, to open the door for
-o, nopfa1 will $,rptoh -oo NTH n
disguise which I have selected. Old
Fan In very deaf and ear.sighted. and
rs I fear Mr.. H. might return I have
told Fan you will give her this note
when you enter. She will lead you
into the parlor and then bring the note
to me to assure me Of your presence.
will then meet you In the parlor. OF
Fau will conduct you to me.
You must not fall to come under any
consideration, dear James. Ever your
own. KATY ELGlN."
"How's that?" said Luke, placing the
no,e before Nancy.
Excellent" said Nancy. Had
not seen you write 1t l would have
sworn Catharine Elgin wrote u
But"
But what:" demanded Luke.
IF he should not bring this letter,
He may think a note In reply assuring
Miss Elgin Of his presence will bt
enough. and that old Fan will not no
tice the difference. You know lovers
treasure the letters OF their beloved
Besides. he may-there Is q possibility
leave the note behind, or show 1t tt
nu,o frtapIv