Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-08-13
&wXuS&er rNZ- Hn@RM..Xm2~Al@1@X
LUKE HAMMOND,
THE MlSER.
By Prof. VIM. Henry Peck,

Author Of the "1hs Stone. Gutter
OF Lisbon" Etc.

ana twisted, Tor old ran was q giant
ess in strength.
"You are wanted" said Hammond
without looking Mt her.
"Some fresh deviltry, ch?" said Fan
what is it to you whether it is Soot
or bad?" said Hammond, looking n
her rapacious eyes, which looked NOR
like q rats than 4 human beings.
"Not mite, Mr.. Hammond, so lon'
as am paid for the doing" said Fan
fright" said Hammond, tossing he
a coin of gold, which she caught Il
her blrd-likc claws rs 1t cleaned II
the air. 'lTasten to the white an!
gold chamJ~r. You will find Mrs
Harker there. Cor
"You may be bad, and you be,
muttored old Fan, as she departed
"but a better paymastcr never lived"
"TGe sight of that old wretch" sai'
Hammond. when alone, "always chill
my blood
He glanced towards the decantcr o
brandy, which he had left upon TIN
table.
"No, III drink no more tonight
said he, turning away. The habit VII
be my ruin If l do not crush it. l an
beginning to drink brandy like water
He opened q drawer of his desk. "n'
Searched for some papcrs-that whicl
we have said he had drawn mp witt
much care during the day, and wh!c!
lie had slid into the drawer when MIS-
Harker first appeared in this story.
The paper had disappeared.
"Haw he exclaimed, springing from
drawer to drawer in vain search. 9TH
will intended to forge-drawn up Il
my own handwriting, to be copied int
Henry Elgin's, has been stolen! Sh
took it--that girl Catharine. She has
Of course, secretcd it with the gcnuin
will. A proof of my guilt, If it shal
hc discovered. Why did she take it
Oh, woman's eyes are as quick Il.
light-she noticed the heading-saV
twas the body Of will, and thinkln.
of wills, carried 1t off, III have th'
secret Of the hiding-place or her life
her life"
He stamped with rage, and was FUN
Ing like fury when Nancy Harke'
entered without ceremony.
whats the matter nowT cried she
you are going mad or drunk, Luke
Mad! Drunk! l must have beer
both this day to leave doors ana draw
crs open, and | not here" thundcre(
Hammond.
"You ore getting too fond of brandy
Luke" said Mrs. Harker, as her glance
fell upon the dccanter.
Mind your business, Nancy Harker.
he cried, tossing handful Of paper
upon the table, and rummaging among
them. Not only has Catharinc ElgIl
secreted the genuine will, but also ON
drawn up by me, and which l mean
to forge"
Mind my own business, Luke Ham
mondw sncered Nancy Ilarkcr, looking
ut him, rs he fumed and fretted. I
| did. what would become of you sine
YOU have taken to thatT'
She tapped tile docanter with hor leal
forehngcr.
"You take courage and strength from
that, and it will hang you yet, Luke
"Hang me" repeated Hammond, re
coiling from the prophecy.
II mean it, Luke. Things are gettin
into snarl, and you'll work rope
knot under your left ear, If you don
look sharp
Hammond grew pale and stared a
her in silence.
Nancy Harkor nodded her head, as i
it were set on springs OF wire.
"If | do" said Hammond, aitlin
down and pushing back his gri2z!
hair; "if | do, III have your company
Nancy Harker. But we must not qual
rel: we are brother and sister, yo
know
"Hushw whispered Nancy, and shah
ing her finger NJ him. "If YOU let tha
secret out what becomes OF you an
your plans? | tell you, you drink 10
much. Luke. No one can suspect tha
am your sister unless you, like foo
set the suspicion afoot. The first thin
to be done now is to lind the lost will.
"Right," said Hammond. do yo
think she concealed it in this room:'
NO" said Nancy, shaking her hea'
Il think she has secreted it in her rool
! in the front"
"But | had the will in my hand IL
instant before l went to the crilnsu
chamber" said Hammond, "and ST
was there herself not fiYe minutes aft'
my arrival there"
"She had time to come here, to fin
the package, to run back to her roor
hide it, and then follow you," sal
Nancy.
1--WE must search instantly" sal
Hammond, springing to his feet.
lie lighted two lamps, gave one to Ii
sister, for such Nancy Harker wa
and with the other led the way
Rates late room.
In going thither it was necessary
ascend short flight of stairs, and {
Hammond placed his hand on II
newel-post Of the banisters at the fo,
Of the fight the carved top-piece I
the post slipped off in his grasp al
caused him to stumble and bruise h
face.
"Confound that post" said he, +
gaining his feet and clappins the tc
back upon it. ut has played ME TIN
trick twice. Go into that closet thel