The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-02-18

that reacne1 cur, ! AeuE
you still think these groans. which
have disturbed you SO much at night.
are made by other than human means.
You uncle has taught you to believe
Il. no doubt. for reasons Of his own:
and as I know he Is too shrewd and
wise q man to believe 1t himself. !
must conclude that he Ii q bad man,
and has an evil purpose In deceiving
you"
The voice that spoke was q full and
manly one. and was Immediately (.
ognized by the listeners 10 belonging
to James Greene, q young and self
educated carpenter.
But, dear James," said Kate Elgin's
sweet and gentle voice. Mrs. Harker.
the housekeeper. has also told me, q
thousand times, that such things as
ghosts really are. and that she has seen
them"
II have seen Mrs. Harker several
times" said James Greene. with q light
laugh. land I know from her face and
the sound Of her voice. that she Is not
q woman to believe In any such thing,
and that no ghost could live peaceably
in the same house with her. Believe
nee when I say / have no doubt she
and your uncle have q bad purpose In
view-or something to conceal In this
house."
Something to conceal. dear James!
What car they wish to conceal from
me-" exclaimed Kate.
"1ou have asked my aid to learn"
said James; "but I have many scruples
in attempting to pry into what does
not concern me-"
For my sake" pleaded Kate.
"For your sake. dear Kate. I would
be tempted to do many things which
my own mind might leave alone" re-
piled James. ~ am doing wrong even
in being here nov unknown to Mr..
Hammond, Katy; and nothing less
powerful than my love for you could
have placed me here. Still. you have
asked me to call and confer upon this
matter. and our affection must be my
excuse should your uncle enter and
find me here"
II am not afraid to tell him. nor any
one else. that I love you. James," said
Kate. placing her hand within his.
This morning I heard those noises
for the first time during daylight. and
sent for you. After you came. that
old prying woman. Mrs. Harker. kept
80 near MS that I had no chance to tell
you all. and SO I asked you to come
tonight"
well. I win do all I can. and II Nj.
Hammond is angry, I will tell him
what / think Of him-a man like him
to I'LL a young girls mind with such
fancies" said James Greene. indig-
nantly. First, how long nave you
heard these alarmsw
For nearly q month" replied Kate.
AT first I thought nothing Of 1t. sup
posing the noises came from the street,
OF from the adjoining houses. Finally
I became convinced that they origi-
mated In this house. I spoke Of 1t to
my uncle"
And what did he say. or rather. how
did he look when you spoke to him?'
said James.
He turned very pale. and said, No
doubt the house was haunted" re.
piled Kate. He said he had been told
us much by others-people whom he
knew. I then questioned Mrs. Har-
ker. She said 1t was all fancy. and
that I dreamed it; but ayowed a firm
belief in ghosts. Then my uncle. with
out any request from me, had my
clothes, books, ETC., removed to the
room I now occupy In the front room
above. For several days my nights
were unGisturbed; but o after you
repaired my uncle's desk ! heard
groans again. and they seemed to grow
louder, stronger every night. ! have
asked my uncle to let me 60 to my
fathers relations in the country. but
since my fathers death. a year ago. my
uncle has grown very stern and unkind
to me-"
Us there any part Of the house in
which your uncle denies you access"
asked James.
The eastern wing Of the house has
been rigidly locked. doors and win
dows. ever since my father died there"
said Kate.
"You are sure there Is 10 M con
fined there?" asked James.
Luke Hammond started 50 quickly
as that question fell upon his ear that
Mrs. Harker whispered:
STEADY! This is no fool, but a clear.
beaded man We must battle"
NO." replied Kate to James. "Why
do you ask"
Mr.. Hammond Is a man who never
does q thing without a purpose" said
James. not answering Hates Inst ques-
ton. He has never spoken Of remov.
ing to some other house2'
"Never-at least not to me-"
Docs he suspect our affection. dear
kate!"
Il think not, James. He often speaks
Of a son Of his. whom I have never
seen, and has told me that. when that
son arrives, I must regard him as one
who is to be my husband. This morn
Ing. when l asked my uncle to remove
to another house. he said We must wait
until Charles Hammond. his son. re-
turns from Europe"
Il must tell Mr.. Hammond that we
have plishted our loves" said James
Greene. quickly. II would have done
SO before. but I feared his pride might