The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-02-25

daughter, Mr.. Hammond" said she.
still firmly.
This change in one formerly 90
gentle. Miss Elgin." remarked Ham,
mond, 'tastonishes me-"
II was gentle, Mr.. Hammond. until
your harsh treatment turned gentle
ness to defiance"
my harsh treatment, Miss Elgfn!
my words, Mr.. Hammond, are not
o strong as my thoughts. I repeat.
your harsh treatment. During my IA
Tiers life I was allowed every liberty
consistent with correct behavior. Since
my fathers death you have made me
almost a prisoner In the house I have
every reason to believe mine. You
have discharged all Of the servants
formerly employed by my father"
The involved state in which your
honored father left his Affairs. Miss
Elgin, does not allow me to retain those
servants" said Hammond.
Then why discharge them and hire
creatures Of your own?' demanded
Kate.
Creatures Of my own! Upon my
word. Miss Elgin. You intimate that l
nm q villain pursuing some Illicit
course" said Hammond
take it as you please, MI. Ham,
mond," said Kate. THE ~housekeeper
of NM father you discharged to make
room for Mrs. Harker. The three other
servants you hired to al places you
made vacant. You have forbidden me
to leave the house unattended by some
one of those servants. You have COM
manded me to retire from the society
in which I moved when my father was
alive. You say you do this to wean me
from luxury that I may become accus-
TONED TO the poverty which. you say.
you fear viii fall upon me when my
fathers affairs shall have been thor
oughly adjusted. Mr.. Hammond. / do
not believe 1t. Those whom I meet
when I do 90 from this house speak Of
me and to me as II I were q rich
heiress."
They are all deceived" said Ham,
mopd, quickly. u assure you. Miss
Elgin, you win live to PEE this house
sold over your head to pay the debts
your father left behind"
Ibid my father die knowing Of these
debts?'' asked Kate.
He did. The knowledge embittered
his last moments terribly" said Ham,
mond.
Did my father know that the settle
ment Of bis debts, Mr.. Hammond,
would leave me. his only child. PENN.
less?"
Upon my word Of honor. Miss FL
gin. he did"
..Then please inform me. Mr.. Ham,
mond," said Kate. with q glance that
pierced him to the marrow, "why he
left that will Of which you told me-"
Luke Hammond saw that he was
caught in his own trap. A detected
liar Ia the most miserable wretch i'm
aginable; and II Hammond's features
had been cast iron instead Of flesh and
blood. It seemed to him that his face
would have confessed the lie.
Kate's bright and searching eye was
riddling him with unspoken contempt,
and he felt that the longer she gazed
the more he withered.
II do not kncw-that is-there were
certain" be began. But his tongue
seemed to curl upon itself. and to cling
to the roof Of his mouth.
Enough, Mr.. Hammond" said Kate.
scornfully. do not mire yourself any
deeper In what I now know to be q
miserable lie"
"Ha! a lie! You dare to say that to
me?' clustered Hammond, happy to
have q chance to 60 into q rage. and
pushing back bis stiH. short gray hair
until he looked like q fury. you
dare say that to meT
II dare" said bold Kate. flashing
back his fierceness.
you shall rue this. Catherine FL
gin! By my blood. you shall u 1t.
miss" said he. stamping his foot
heavily, and dashing his clenched
hands upon the marble table near him.
II have been your friend and your
fathers friend. You are forcing me
to hate you. and let Inc tell you. Cath.
arine Elgin. that when I hate ! hate
with oil the gall Of bitterness. You
dispute my authority In this house. l
tell you I am the master Of this house.
Perhaps you will tremble when I tell
you. CatharIne Elgin. that it Is now In
my power. this instant. to turn you in
| to the street, houseless. homeless. pen
niless!"
mo, I do not tremble. SIR" said
Kate. calmly. though her face was very
pale.
go to your apartment. Miss Elgin."
said Hammond. seek counsel with
your pillow. and your better sense will
teach you that Luke Hammond Is your
friend-uye. the best friend you have
on earth"
May heaven defend me from such
friends" said Kate. bitterly. as she
retired.
This rebellion Is sudden and danger
GUS. 1t must be crushed ut once"
muttered Hammond. as he turned
down the gas and FASTENED to bis
library.
CHAPTER III.
LUKE HAMMoND's LIBRARY.
Luke Hammond entered his library
and seated himself at his desk. But