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

| a suspicion. The suspicion made me
desire to see your face when you
should see Charles after separation
Of years. I feigned sleep and saw
your agitation, and then, Nancy Har-
ker, the suspicion became certainty in
my mind"
Nancy Harker was as pale and mo-
tlonless as if carved from white mar
bic.
"Now, Nancy Harker, is Charles not
my SOM"
Nancy was not so strong and brave
as she had been all her life, and re-
membering the dead body Of her moth
er in the room above, and weakened
by the web Of crime and danger in
which she was entangled, she dared
not lie.
"John Marks" said she, in a whisper,
though speaking a tongue her brother
could not have understood even if he
had heard. "Charles is our SON."
John Marks heaved deep sigh and
said:
"You only assert what I believe.
But now tell me, Nancy Harker, what
you would have done had I not dis
covered the secret of your life? AS my
son lives, does the son Of this Luke
Hammond, your brother, still live?'
"He does. See his portrait" said
Nancy, taking the picture Of the idiot
from her bosom.
John Marks gazed at the ugliness
with surprise, and returning the pic
ture, said:
II pity him. From my soul I pity
him. Had you shown me such son,
Nancy Harker, and proved him mine,
l would have gone mad on the spot,
| and torn you to pieces. We were man
and wife once, let US be friends and
allies again, for the sake of our son.
Give me that picture again. I may
| have use for it."
She gave it to him dreamily. She
was thinking Of the rage that would
follow when Luke Hammond should
learn this secret.
At length she asked:
. "How did you prevent Charles from
leaving New York;"
"He was sitting in the car" said
Marks, "and they were about to start,
when l said to him, Wait for few
hours. You have time enough, and I
do not think the woman you love has
left New York He followed me at
once. I had already gained his affec-
ton, and rs he had made me his con-
fdant, he was willing to trust me
farther. We returned to the Metropol-
itan Hotel. I have told you aenough,
Nancy Harker. Now tell me what is
this you and Luke Hammond are do
ing? Or, rather, what do you expect to
gain by it,"
IA fortune for my son." said Nancy
Harker; and this was the purpose to
accomplish which she had aided in im-
prisoning Elgin and his daughter.
II was in England" she said, "when
my brother wrote to me to come to
America to aid him in this dangerous
affair. I hoped Charles and Catharine
Elgin would love each other when they
met. But circumstances have pre-
vented their meeting, and that part of
the plot has fallen to the earth.'
"Forsake the whole" said John
Marks. Leave your brother to work
out his own villainy.",
But where is my son? Where is
Charles" asked Nancy.
| He is WE'LL" said Marks. evasively.
"But once again, will you abandon this
dangerous r,an"
IF you will prove to me that Harriet
Foss is no more, WILL" said Nancy.
'If show you the body this night,
Nancy Harker, will you abandon your
| brother?"
Nancy reflected. She resolved to lie.
She would do anything to know that
Harriet Foss was dead, to be freed
from that terrible warning from The
grave.
II WILL" said she, aloud. But in her
heart she said: when have seen the
body Of Harriet Foss, will be avenged
on you, John Marks, who have stolen
my secret from mel"
And John Marks said in his heart
You lie, Nancy Harker! You would
have tricked me-you and your sly
brother. You shall be tricked tonight,
and then let the law catch you both,
for all 1 care" Marks then said aloud:
When you have seen the body of Har-
riet Foss, you shall see Charles
$50 be it," said Nancy. "And now.
let not Luke Hammond dream of this"
Not l." said Marks.
They returned to the library Ham
mond was writing.
Nancy Harker has proved to me that
my son exists" said Marks. coldly.
Right I am glad to hear it, said
Hammond. Nancy is great woman;
and now"
Il will show you the body OF Harriet
Foss tonight" said Mara:
You will bring it here" said Ham.
mond.
Yes. in carriage said Marks, as
he lighted his cigar.
AT what time?"
Between 10 and 12," said Marks.
Right" said Hammond; "ard then
you can witness wedding"
"a wedding" said Marks.
"ies; am going to marry Cathcrine
Elgin, and l need your presence" said
| Hammond.
You shall have it," said Marks; and