The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-07-29
By Prof. VIM. Henry Peck,

Author Of the TIE Stone Cutter
Of Lisbon" Etc.
CHAPTER XXVI.
Continued.

COQIluuGQ.
"Harriet Foss has ceased to exist
said Marks.
"Ah! good! Your hand, John Marks"'
exclaimed Hammond, wild with joy.
John Marks extended his hand slow
Iy, saying:
You do not shrink from this hand?''
"Not a hair" said Hammond. "But
when did she die?"
Harriet Foss ceased to exist at II
O'Clock this day." said Marks. "And
now I come for my reward"
"Yes-of course; you and Nancy
Harker will settle that little matter,
said Hammond. "But I want proof OF
her death-I must know it."
What proof do you want?"
II must see the body, John Marks
nothing less. You may be deceiVing
me-" said Hammond.
Every well; you shall see the body
of Harriet Foss," said Marks.
"But when?"
"When I shall be convinced that my
son exists" replied Marks.
Hammond reflected.
II must leave that to Nancy Harker,' u
said he, at length. Nancy is your
sons mother, you know, and, Of course,
she can tell you more than I can.
know, however, that your son does live.
Nancy showed me his likeness not long
Bince-a splendid youth, too!'
How he lied!
Then let me see Nancy Harker," "
said Marks. II must not be trifled
with"
You shall see her. But you must
not hope to see your son until you have
showed me the body Of Harriet Foss,"
said Hammond, firmly.
"If Nancy Harker proves to me that
my son is living, then, Luke Hammond,
you shall see the body Of Harriet Foss
tonight" said Marks.
Enough" said Hammond, gleefully.
He summoned Nancy, and she soon ap-
peared.
Mrs. Harker," said Hammond,
"John Marks has brave news for US.
Harriet Foss is no more"
Nancy Harker turned deathly pale,
and stared at Marks.
''Is this true?" she asked.
"As true as that I am here" said
Marks; Harriet Foss has ceased to
exist"
prove it, John Marks" cried Nancy.
"Ah, that is what he will not do until
you, Nancy, shall have proved to him
that he has son." said Hammond.
ut was not in our agreement" said
Nancy. John Marks was not only to
do the deed, but also to prove it before
any steps should be taken to put him
in the possession Of his SON."
stand on that, and l will prove
nothing" said Marks. II demand a
private interview with Nancy Harker."
You shall have it," said Nancy. after
a pause. Il fear you, John Marks,
and must take precautions that you at
tempt no violence"
Conduct him to the rear parlor,"
said Hammond. 1T is not far from
here. have no desire to hear what
you say. You, Nancy, can sit near the
parlor bell cord, with your hand on
it. You see the bell there above my
head John Marks?"
THESE precautions are useless and
needless" said Marks, with scornful
smile. Take them if you wish. how
ever. All wish is private interview
with Nancy Harker."
"Colne. then,' said she, revolving q
plan to put him off. "This way"
Nancy conducted hin, to a email par
lor, and then sat down near the bell
cord.
Now what have you to say, John
Marks" said she.
You and l." replied Marks, used to
speak language your brother could
never master. DO you speak it still?"
"You mean German?" said Nancy,
speaking in that language.
ut is well," said Marks, sitting down
so rs to face her. II have something to
say. and you must not scream if you
are astonished."
Something verr interesting, no
doubt" said Nancy.
You shall judge" continued Marks.
First, I must tell you that Charles
Hammond has not left New York"
''Ah" cried Nancy, growing white
again.
Il warned you not to Scream said
Marks. And. secondly, I must tell
you that Charles Hammond is in my
power"
Nancy Harkcr scarcely breathed and
shrank from the fire Of the eyes of
John Mark.
He is in my power" continued
Marks, and if You or your brother
play mc false, or if you and hc have
tricked me, by my life. Charles Ham.
mend dies. Now tell me-but first
let me tell you little more.
lone month ago saw Charles Ham.
mond for the first time. 1t was in Liv.
erpool l met him. I supposed him to
be the son of an American gentleman
named Luke Hammond, who had once
bcfriended me in my distress. made
the acquaintance of Charles, and from
that moment loved him--loved him
knew not why. l loved him so much
that I would no. ask him for money
but hastcncd to America to see his
father, thinking that father to be my
former friend. I was surprised to sec
my former brother-iE-law. Roland