The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-08-05
was merely the result of what I was
thinking Of when I'fell asleep"

was merely the result of what I was
thinking of when fell asleep"
"And what was that"
'I was thinking how strange it was
that Catharine Elgin could have found
so secret hiding place for that will in
the little time she had to seek for it.
Now I have come to the conclusion
that she hit upon some place by acci-
dent. The fact is, 1 am unwilling to
remove Henry Elgin while that will
exists to ruin me-"
1--WE know the will is in the house,
said Nancy. Burn the house. and so
destroy the will. The value Of this
house is not much. 1t is old and can
be spared"
Fright. But while it burns hundreds
of firemen will be running all over it,.
They might discover the will in dash
ing down the walls and tearing off the
framework. No. I must hunt once
more before proceeding to extremities.
In thinking Of all the probable, possi-
BILE and impossible places in which
Catharine Elgin may have hidden the
will fell asleep thinking of that place
and dreamed the will was there
"And where was that"" asked Nancy.
"I will show you. Give me that
hatchet and bring a lamp" said Ham,
mond.
They left the library, and Hammond
halted at the newel-post at the foot of
the stairs which led to the room where
his mothers body was lying.
Nancy Harker," said be, "do you
recollect how 1 fell here the night we
sought for the will? This cap of the
banister-post slipped off in my hand
and made me fall. I was angry, for
the fall hurt my face. fastened the
carved top-piece on the post, saying it
would hold until doomsday. Let us
suppose doomsday has come and take
it off,"
Nancy Harker looked on while he
struck off the cap of the post. AS it
fell he plunged his hand into the deep
hollow. and shouted with Joy as he
drew forth the missing will and his
own forged copy.
"Now, then, by my life, I have the
matter in my own hands," cried lie. as
they returned to his library. James
Greene is dead-I can easily erase his
name wherever it appears in the will
and insert Catharine Elgin's-keep my
marriage secret until all the estate
shall have been converted into gold-1
see Henry Elgin has appointed me her
guardian in this will, and with it can
defy those country relatives of his who
are eternally checking me when I try
to sell any of the property"
IF you are appointed guardian of the
estate" said Nancy, "why marry her
at all? The world will hoot at such a
marriage-the law will break it-for
you dare not tell the world that you
are not Catharine Elgin's uncle"
"If had had this few months soon-
er," said Hammond, "and been clothed
with the powers it gives me. would
have finished Henry Elgin, gained pos
session Of the entire estate, and then,
in case 1 had failed to make Catharine
my daughter-in-law, I would have fed
with the estate turned to gold. But
now I love Catharine Elgip-she shall
be my wife! Even If I must die in the
attempt, will go on. When Cathar-
inc Elgin is my wife she will do just
what I tell her to do. But until then
she will defy me-"
Have you no fear of woman's re-
venge" asked Nancy.
'There never lived but one woman
feared" said Hammond. And your
confourded nonsense and dreaming
for you know I never dreamed Of the
warning from the grave until you
vexed me with your absurd stories
your nonsense made me fear her. 7
mean Harriet Foss. If John Marks
has lied, she is dead, and as for my
fearing Catharine Elgin's revenge af-
ter she is my wife-bah! The power
of husband, such 4 husband as I
shall be, and have been, is fate to the
wife. Nancy Harker."
And if John Marks has lied?" asked
Nancy.
HE dies. He knows too much" said
Hammond. But how can he lie when
he has promised to show me her body?
You are pale. What ails you?"
II don't know. I wish this was all
over I wish John Marks had not ap.
peared in New York." said Nancy.
"Wish! What good will that do
you:" cried Hammond, flercely. 1--WE
began under circumstances of little
danger, but danger has increased
around us. Three dangers are crushed.
James Greene is dead, the genuine will
is in my hands, and old Fan is dead,
also. If John Marks has told the truth
Harriet Foss is dead. Besides, both
Elgin and Catharine are in my power"
John Marks may betray you to the
police" said Nancy.
John Marks will remain faithful be.
cause he hopes to regain his son. ! be-
lieve that if his son had been ever
near him-if John Marks had had
something to love and cherish, some-
thing to take pride in, he would have
grown as old as lie is now unstained
by the taint of crime"
"You believe, that, Luke Hammond"
said Nancy. eagerly.
To be continued.
A Monster Topaz.
IN Spt cto nf Ia