The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-07-22
By Prot. VIM. Henry Peek,
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Author Of the "1se Stone-Cgtter
Of Lisbon" Etc.

/
| You consent"
"Not to her death, Luke" said Nancy,
"but to her Imprisonment"
Folly! feel as if my unseen agent
of success tells me to remove forever
this woman. whose remorse begins to
threaten my death-death on the gall
lows-to your death, Nancy Harker."
81 will not consent to her DEATH said
Nancy. "Imprison her. She may not
suspect. Imprison her until you have
got full possession Of Elgin's estate,
then we will share the wealth, and you
may fly to whatever place you like"
"And you, Nancy Harker?"
'SThis affair finished, we must sep
arate." said Nancy. II shall fly to
Italy"
And where shall we imprison old
Fanw asked Luke.
Until he uttered those words old Fan
had no idea Of whom he was speak
ing. She began to creep farther up the
steps; the conversation was growing
very interesting to her.
Anywhere. There are places enough
in this large house to keep the old
creature safe" said Nancy.
There is but one safe place for her"
said Hammond, shutting the library
door.
Burold Fans ear was at the key-hole
in second.
"And where is that?" said Nancy.
I'm the old store-room."
Old Fan nearly screamed at the bare
thought Of the place.
"You mean to murder her, Luke
said Nancy. II will not consent to it,"
"Take care, woman. You are grow
ing dangerous. You are opposing me-"
Il care not whether I am growing
dangerous or not" said Nancy, vehe-
mently. bad as am, Luke Ham
mond, there is crime I cannot COM
nit Our conduct caused the death of
our father, the madness of our mother
and were you to place your pistol at
my head and say, DO it OF die! l will
die before ] consent to the death of
our mother"
"Fool"' cried Luke, in q rage. II
did not say / wished her death. I say
she must be imprisoned in the old
store-room, not beneath it. She can
not know why"
1.-The mere fact Of being there would
kill her-her remorse would kill her"
said Nancy NO; inlprison her in any
other room.'
"She shall be imprisoned in the old
store-room. and nowhere else. have
said it," said Luke, fiercely. "And now
to do it. We shall need Daniels help"
He opened the library door, and old
Fan sprang into the room, bare blade
in hand.
Il know you now! I know you
both. screamed Fan, slamming the
door and placing her back against it.
while Hammond and Nancy recoiled
to the other side Of the room.
"You are crazy! you are q lunatic!
said Luke, while Nancy grasped his
arm.
81 know it! know itr' shreked Fan.
"And who made me so? Ny children!
Who slew their noble father-broke
his heart-killed him dead? My chill
dren! You, Roland Dunn, and you.
Nellie DUNE! Oh, Nicholas, my dead
and murdered husband! could you have
lived to see this day! Not content with
crushing of the noble heart-not con-
tent with driving their mother mad
see! hear! the parricldes plot to finish
by assassinating that half mad
mother"
She sank down upon the floor and
moaned bitterly. Her knife fell from
her hand, and her sobs almost suffo.
Gated her.
Hammond's quick eye saw the knife,
and he began to creep towards her to
secure it.
Back! unnatural son" cried Fan,
snatching up the knife and sprlnging
to her feet. Back! Roland Dunn!
For years in my feverish, fitful mad
ness have vowed to avenge the death
of my husband. But my brain-my
brain reels-and I cannot kill my chill
dren! No! cannot! I thought could
III thought it would be pleasure; but
1 was insane-I am insane now-it
cracks my brain to try to think, How
came 1 here in New York? I know
not. Where have I been? Here and
there - wandering, wandering, ever
wandering; scorned, jeered, laughed at
made show, scoff-by whom?
By my children. All me! l am going
mad again-I feel the fire rushing back
upon my brain-ah! wait! wait, let me
think; oh. my son, twas you made your
old crazed mother an 'accomplice in a
murder-what murder?-let me think
Yes, of James Greene. Oh, my hus-
band! let not the deed stand against
me upon the dread records Of heaven!
I knew not what did. l am dying"
She sank forward upon her face, as
weak as a child.
'She is dying" said Nancy. Help
me to place her upon the settee."
No. She must not die here" said
Luke. Come, We will take her to
Catharine Elgin's room up stairs"
He was fearfully agitated, and per.
haps ut that moment even his soul
writhed with remorse They raised the
unconscious form Of their mother, and
bore it to the room formerly used by
Kate Elgin.
They placed their mother upon the