Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-11-12
By Prof. VIM. Henry Peck,
Author Of the tho Stone- Cutter
Of Lisbon" Etc.

Luke, pulling o bell cord and then say.
Ing In the speaking tube:
"Are you awake, Nancy?"
"Yes. Has he comew was the reply
from the tube.
"As If Stephen had not told her..
muttered Luke. Then in the tuba
again:
"Yes; come up"
Silence was preserved until Nancy
Harker entered through the closet pas
sage.
Hammond was writing when she ap-
peared, but John Marks eyes. which
Daniel had once compared to Goals OF
fire, seemed to blaze as he watched
Nancy Harkers face.
where is he?' exclaimed Nancy,
glancing around and not perceiving
Charles.
asleep probably. I will summon
him in a moment" said Hammond.
"You have told him Of your prison
ers?' asked Nancy. eagerly.
.. "No. I am afraid to do 1t yet. I am
about to send him to France
"To France! Immediately" asked
Nancy.
"Yes. 1t appears he already loves,
and the woman he loves IS in New
York" ..
"Who Is she?"
"a Madame Burr. You do not know
her," said Hammond, glancing slgniti-
cantly at Marks, that the true name
should be concealed
But John Marks had reason Of his
own for revealing the fact.
MADAME Burr is Harriet Foss" said
Marks.
"Qh, my heart" exclaimed Nancy,
sinking into q chair and almost swoCI.
ing.
II am going to lead him hithcr,'
said Hammond. Perhaps he will rec.
ognize you as his aunt
He will not. He has not seen me for
many years" said Nancy.
Would you like to see him?"
ooh, yes; but do not introduce me
to him. said Nancy. Il will busy
myself brushing these glasses while
he is in the ROOM"
VERY WELL" said Luke, and left the
library.
"As for me, feel sleepy" said
Marks. Il will lie down upon this
settee and catch nap. But I can
never sleep with my face uncovered"
He drew silk handkerchief from
his pocket secretly punched hole
through it. and spread it over his face
MS he stretched his long frame along
the settee. A shadow fell over his
face, already hidden by the handker-
chief, but if Nancy Harker had glanced
that way she might have seen keen,
brilliant eye cleaning through the hole
he had made.
But Nancy Harker's eyes were riv.
eted upon the door through which
Charles was to appear, nor did she
dream that John Marks was reading
her face.
The door at length opened, and Ham.
mond appeared, followed by Charles.
who seemed much surprised and an.
noyed.
Nancy was very pale. and supported
herself for moment by leaning
against the wall.
Can you not send some one else,
father?' said Charles. as they entered,
Impossible, my dear son. said Ham.
mond. 81 cannot now explain the
cause of this. l have just received
important letters. and either you or I
must go. / cannot-my affairs demand
my presence here. You are the only
one | can trust. Here are letters.
Here is money. One of these letters
is letter of credit. Use 1t economic.
ally, my dear son. You will not have
been long i'll Paris when you shall re-
ceive letteg from Inc unfolding every
thing Among other things seek for
information concerning Madame
Madame-what is her name? where Is
that letter."
He tossed over heap Of letters, Sc
lected one, and pretended to glance at
its contents.
"Ah," said he "a Madame Burr"
"Burr!" exclaimed Charles, turning
pale and then red. --. --.-..-~,,
"That Is the name" continued Ham
mond. "A pretended widow Of
wealth"
"a pretended widow" cried Charles,
all aghast.
"She is an imposter," said Luke
carelessly 'She has ruined many
young men in her time. A very hand
some woman. A bitter enemy Of mine,
| plso. She has been in New York"
HAS been" cried the unhappy
| Charles.
"Yes. Size remained a day only,
and fearing exposure, has taken pas
sage for France. She left this morn
ing. Try to learn all about her from
the French police"
"The French police"
"Ab, she is well known to the French
police" said Hammond. "a friend of
mine writes me in great distress Of
heart. 1t seems the arts Of this Mad
ame Burr allured the son Of my friend,
and the young man eloped with her to
England few months ago. The young
man has never been heard Of since"
"Great Godw groaned Charles.
"You seem excited, my son. Do you
know her?" ,4...--A
John Marks snored loudly. p