The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-05-20

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If any one should come to the gate
how could we know it?"
'"rhe dogs-the dogs will soon tell
u.s." said Fan. 81 can't sleep nor be
alone in that part Of the house any
more, longer than an hour at a time.
I hear such strange noises"
"Noises! Noisesp said Luke.
That's it." said Fan. "Hammering,
pounding, as if it was way down-deep
down under ground. 1t was dread
full"
you're fool But stay here until
want you. Hammering, indeed!' he
muttered. II don't think that young
carpenter feels much like hammering
now"
Daniel gave him the key to the GRIM
son chamber, and unlocking the door,
Hammond went in.
Henry Elgin was asleep, but Ham
monds careless tread awoke him, and
he fixed his sunken eyes inquiringly
upon the tyrant's face.
"You wish to ask after your child?'
said Luke, taking seat.
"I can hardly expect a true answer
from you" said Elgin, mournfully; for
the thought Of his beloved and unfor-
tunate child unnamed him.
Luke noticed the sadness OF his tone
and thought:
"Ha! think I may work on him now
with some hope Of success"
| Hammond continued aloud:
II have just left your daughter"
"She Is well, trust" said Elgin.
"She had just swooned."
"Swoonedw exclaimed Elgin. "1
know my daughters nature well. She
has a bold and firm heart. She does
not faint, unless terribly eXcited-do
you hear, scoundrel!-terribly excited.
She tainted last night-what woman
would not have tainted! She tainted
because she beheld q father alive
whom she had thought dead Villain!
what have you done to her? What
barbarous torture have you inflicted
upon her tender limbs? How have you
wrung bitter agony from her brave
heart? Speak, unnatural monster"
"She tainted twice last night, Elgin,"
said Hammond. "She had escaped
from your old prison, and tainted when
I recaptured her."
my poor, tender, miserable Katy
my child" groaned the unhappy
father. "But to-night!-to:night! What
made her swoon tonight ?-Tell me,
that I may know how to curse you,
villain?"
II merely told her fact" said Luke
II merely announced to her that James
Greene was dead"
James Greene-deadw said Elgin,
half rising, and staring at his cold
blooded tyrant. Then sinking back
upon his pillow, he murmured:
1T is lie"
1T is a fact" said Hammond, with
his hard, dry laugh Of triumph. 1T
is not at all improbable that reward
will be offered to find his body"
"Ah! I understand" said Elgin, with
a shudder. You have imprisoned him
I-ensnared him and imprisoned him
perhaps in this house, which you have
turned into a jail-a Bastile in the
heart of New York City"
"You are right, Henry Elgin. did
nsnare James Greene. I did imprison
him. I told your daughter how I did
it. I imprisoned him in the old well
beneath the old store-room"
Great Heavenw groaned Elgin.
This is too much! Luke Hammond,
you have murdered him."
"As you please" said Luke. II call
it by more gentle name. have re-
moved great obstacle"
what do you hope to effect by such
crime?
Your daughter loved him. While he
lived she would love no other. You
loved him. While he lived you would
have clung to your absurd project Of
making him your heir. Your will is Of
no use now to James Greene. You
must now leave your wealth to your
daughter. I came to tell you this,
Henry Elgin, that you might place
the fact with certain others, and hasten
to do what you must do to save your
daughters life"
"You dare not murder her, Luke
HammondW
Look at me, manw said Luke, ris-
ing. Look at me. I am desperate
man. I am growing more and more
desperate every hour. I dare do any
thing. I know that if you and your
daughter were dead, your country kin
would flock to New York to share the
spoil. If you provoke me much more,
by my blood. will end this struggle.
| though ! embrace q halter"
II have been looking at you" said
Elgin, sternly. II have watched your
devilish face, and peered into every
wrinkle, and I see plainly that there is
something behind all this bluster. Do
you know what think It is?"
LET US hear" sneered Hammond.
II know you must have found my
WILL" said Elgin, "or you had not
known Of James Greene. In the will
alone was his name mentioned. But,
as am living man, Luke Hammond,
believe you have lost itw
Luke actually staggered with sur
prise. Was Henry Elgin inspired?
"Ha" continued Elgin, with bitter.
scornful laugh, Il see you have-your