The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-06-24
CHAPTER XXI.
JOHN MARKS GROWS SUSPICIOUS.

JOHN MARES GROWS SUSPICIOUS.
While Hammond was recovering
from his surprise and terror, on learn
ing that his son was infatuated with
Harriet Toss, Marks remained silent
and as unconcerned as If no such be-
ing existed.
Marks" said Lukes at length, "this
Is frightful."
"Why delay to tell your son Of your
present situation" asked Marks. "OI
do you resign your plan Of making him
the husband Of .Catharine Elgin?"
IF tell him all, he viii despise me. u
''No doubt Of that. Nay, more
Charles will attempt to set the captives
free at once"
"Do you think that?"
II know it." said Marks, emphatical
". "Your son is what men call al
honest man. 1 wonder at it, too."
docs he know his Madame Burr is
In New York;"
HE told me she should be, for she
sailed from England for New York
before he left, and he says he is
pledged to introduce her to you. To-
morrow he intends to hunt her up"
"Does he know she is the enemy OF
his father?"
mo, I did not tell him that" said
Marks. II told him that his description
of Madame Burr tailed with that OF
the Harriet Foss you feared, and that
be had better consult with you before
seeing her. He said it was impossible
that Madame Burr could bear malice
he swore she was an angel. He is in
fatuated, tell you. By the way, here
Is her miniature. he showed 1t to me,
and have kept It to show you. See.''
Luke took the miniature in his hand
and gazed upon it in deep silence.
"she is still most beautiful
woman" said he, at length, IF this
picture does not fatter."
"Flatter! It falls far short of doing
Justice to the beauty and charming eX.
preston Of Harriet Foss," said Marks
"She does not seem thirty. is stately
erect, Of splendid figure, and has O
smile that enchants, a voice that
thrills"
"Ah, you, too, are infatuated" cried
Hammond, his eyes flashing with sus.
piclon.
"Bah! I am beyond infatuation,' ~
said Marks. "But there is hope fol
you. Charles tells me she loves him.
"She lies" exclaimed Luke. "She
loves revenge, and she is seeking it.
must send him off. I must put thou.
sands Of miles between him and Har.
riet Foss! John Marks. you must re-
move her"
Speak it out in plain Anglo-Saxon,' u
said Marks.
"You must kill herw said Hammond
"Ha! That might kill Charles -
laughed Marks.
mo jesting,' said Hammond, fierce,
ly. First to get rid of Charles. ]
cannot hope to force him to marry
Catharine Elgin. Innocent as he is
there is CLEAN in his eye that tells
me of dogged determination. I must
send him off. Let me think. Ha! ]
have it. The morning train leaves
for Boston at o'clock 'Tis now
near 2. A passenger packet fol
France will sail from Boston or
the 18th at o'clock. I have goods or
her-for I dabble in everything
Charles shall be supplied with funds
and letters-I have time to write few
and he shall leave America at once"
"And Catharine Elgin?" asked
Marks.
II will marry her myself" sale
Luke.
lob, the mischief:" cried Marks, ant
then Irsorted to his cigar, while Ham
mond dashed off half a dozen letters
with a hasty pen.
1t was nearly in the morning whe1
he finished the task.
And now to awaken my boy" sale
he.
Il would like to have Nancy Harke1
see him before he goes" said Marks.
why" asked Hammond.
"An idea has struck me, that's all,
said Marks. IF he recognizes her, b,
may remember something about tha
little playmate of his-my son"
You are suspicious, Marks. Yo,
think your son is not alive
You are right; and l am right to b.
wary in dealing with Luke Hammond,
said Marks.
Very well; I will call her up," sai
Luke. pulling a bell cord and then say
ing in the speaking tube:
"Are you awake, Nancy"
"Yes. Has he come" was the repl
from the tube.
"As if Stephen had not told her,
muttered Luke. Then in the tub
again:
"Yes; come up"
Silence was preserved until Napc
Harker entered through the closet pas
sage.
Hammond was writing when she az
peared, but John Marks eyes. whic
Dinei L&u 0nce compared TO Goals I,