The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-04-22
CHAPTER XII.
NANCY HARKER SPEAKS.

Luke Hammond. having paid and
dismissed Fan. sat down to review
what he had done. His face was pale
apd fierce. for the deed was too freshly
done to bring remorse. II ever indeed
that feeling found a place in his evil
heart.
ITS done. and we'll done. and quick.
ly. too" he muttcred through his teeth.
James Greene has now been removed,
and no man saw him enter this house.
He was q brave and dangerous obsta.
Gle in my path. Thank heaven! alrs
well 80 far
BlasphemOus villain! to thank heaven
for the murderous deed!
He set thinking Of the work when
Nancy Harker entered cautiously:
SIZE was pale and excited and whis.
pered:
rs 1t all over:"
"All. James Greene will trouble Us
no more" said Luke.
II met old Fan on the stairs" said
Nancy. sitting down, land she looked
like n ghost. Did she see II done:"
Unfortunately. she did" replied
Luke, shifting the table with his palms.
Twas my purpose to have her 60
down with Greene. but she has guard
Ell against such death"
"She may betray you." said Nancy.
"Betray mew cried Luke. why
should she? She does nothing unless
she is paid for doing 1t. Who is 10 give
her gold for telling Of what she must
appear as an accomplice in:
THE disappearance Of James
Greene" said Nancy. will cause much
conjecture and suspicion among his
friends. They or the authorities mny
offer a reward for the discovery Of his
body; Fan may hear Of 1t and betray
you"
Il can pay higher than any reward
that his friends can Offer said Luke.
"And IL I ever suspect her fidelity she
shall find that Luke Hammond's life il
certain death to all who shall attack
It."
Luke" said Nancy. drawing verS
near to him. and speaking very low.
has old Fans face-a tone in her
voice, q something. know not what
never reminded you OF some one We
once knew. years ago:'
YES" said Luke. In deep and
husky whisper; land I have tried in
vain to think who that somebody was"
For months It has ptzzled me-" said
Nancy. But when met her just now.
SO white. so tottering, the evil Of her
face all gone. crushed down by terror.
I remembered whom she looked like"
well. let me hear. and then may
be as wise as Nancy Harker.' sneered
Hammond, as she seemed to hesitate.
"She reminded me-" said Nancy. In q
whisper SO low. that Hammond bent
forward to catch the words-"she re.
minded me Of our grandmother just
before the old woman died"
They rose It once and stared at each
other in horror.
Nancy" said Luke. going 10 the
door and locking It. and then coming
back, perhaps she is our mother"
ut cannot be. It must not be" said
Nancy. sinking into her chair and hid.
ing her face.
IF 1t should be So" said Luke. swal-
lowing q great draught Of brandy and
trembling so rs to let the glass fall at
his feet, would you suffer her to know
lt?"
Never cried Nancy. never! But
this suspicion Is horrible"
I'VE must take measures to learn her
history. whoever she Is"
How" asked Nancy. II have tried
time and time again to extract infor.
nation from her Of her past life. She
is suspicious. She has not 80 much as
told me that she was ever married"
Daniel hired her. I will summon
him for questioning"
To be continued.