The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-04-15
CHAPTER Y.
Continued.

CHAPTER X.
Continued.
"You say % now. ! expected you
would remarked Luke, coolly.
'Catharine Elgin. am q desperate
man; unscrupulous when my interes:
demands Il had intended to use
other and less seveye measures to
make you the wife Of my son. but hav'
ing discovered that you have given
your love to James Greene. and be.
cause you have learned Of your fathers
existence I am not to be triied with
now. I tell you plainly. You shall
never be less prisoner than you are
now. until you are the wife Of Charles
Hammond"
II have never seen him." said Kate.
with scathIng contempt; ''but merely
because he is your son detest and
abominate him. You are wasting time.
Luke Hammond"
Your fathers life depends upon
your resolve" said Luke, coldly.
Wretch! Have you not already In
jured him beyond barbarity itself?"
cried Kate. "You dare not take his
life"
"You forget that he is, In fact, al
ready dead and buried" said Ham
moud. '-rhe very fact that / have done
what / have should prove to you that
] dare do anythinS-and will do any
thing" he said. fercely.
"Are you. Mrs. Harker. woman,
and hear you this threat without rails.
ing your voice" exclaimed Kate to
Nancy.
Tell her, Luke. tell her what am
to you. The truth may weaken her
courage" said Nancy, writhing under
Kate's ecornful words.
II viii, sometime hereafter" said
Luke. "Better wait until Charles has
arrived to urge his suit"
Leave me! in Heavens holy name.
beg you to leave me-" cried Kate.
Then clasping her hands and falling
upon her knees, she cried:
"Oh, mother! dear mother! look
down upon thy most unfortunate child!
Ask from our God His powerful aid to
free me and my poor father from the
cruelty Of this wicked man. And, oh
God! hear my mothers prayer!
Size covered her lovely face with her
hands, ard wept bitterly.
"She melts at last" sale luke. with
q grim smile Of triumph.
"Meits!' exclaimed Kate, springing
20 her feet, and standing defantly
erect. II am rock-iron-steel to you,
villain. Would to Heaven I were iiv.
ing sword t. cleave you down where
you stand-thou hideous. cruel. un.
grateful scoundrel"
~ shall not forgee your compli.
ments," said Hammond, quivering with
rage. II have little time, to waste In
talking. You hold your fathers life or
death upon your lips. He dies II you
remain rebellious to my commands"
"RebellIousr' said Kate. II owe you
no obedience"
IF your father, then. shall command
you to marry my son, viii you obey
himY demanded Luke.
I'm his right reason, my father would
bite his tongue or ere he would con-
sent to such q thing" said Kate.
"Knowing that, ! would disobey his
forced or insane command. Leave
me"
"You hope to be rescued" sneered
Luke. "You shall sooner fly. You
hope for the aid Of James Greene.
True, he viii seek for you and find
q swift and sudden death"
"Oh, Father in Heaven! This is too
much.' sobbed Kate. almost swooning
with q newborn fear.
"Ten me, inhuman being that you
are! Can you be my mothers brother:
Is there q single drop Of kindred blood
In your veins and mine:"
"Why question IT."
Because my mother was kind. Low.
ing, pious, geptle-she would not force
q pang from the heart OF her bitteres'
foe, though in being merciful she
should have broken her own. And you
you are-what? ! can find NO name
to describe your villainy! I dare you
eowardly tryant, to face James Greene
with a threat! He would crush you
but for the hair Of your head. which
has grown white with evil. Leave me
i say~
Take this fact to bend you with 1t.
terror, Catharine Elgin." said Ham
mond, hoarse with rage, and astoundei
at her courage. james Greene will
come here tonight; note In your writ
ing viii lure him here. He goes no
hence a living man."
Heaven will protect him and punish
you" replied brave Kate.
I'VE shall see." said Luke. fercely
81 have gone too far to rs.reat James
Greene mrst die or must hang. Lool
At me anG say II am one to sacrifice
my life for that Of James Greene"
He turned his dark and evil face 81
that every desperate purpose in hil
soul seemed blazing upon 1t in fearful
resolve.
leave me! You look like a fend.
said Kate. shutting her eyes In terror.
ITO save the life OF James Greene.
said Hammond. will you consent 4
obey me"
"If James Greene loves me as lov
him. and from my soul I believe ID
does" said Kate. gazing firmly at lie
tyrant. "he will prefer sudden death t
Nro,.rr. ,nt.o.v ko.J IN knoyv mo III