Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-10-01
CHAPTER XIV.
Author Of the "I6s Stone Cutter
Of Lisbon" Etc.
Continued.

her wrist. She raised it quickly
with an expression Of disgust, and a
knife cleaned in her sleeve.
Hammond started back. He glanced
toward the dishes OH the little table
and saw that Kate had secreted the
knife brought for use.
Il ordered you, old fool" said he
to Fan. mot to bring knives TO the
prisoners! l said carve the meat be-
fore you take it to than. And now
she has a knife"
81 forgot-my head is all a-pieces, u
said Fan. shaking her head sadly. 81
am of no use to anybody any more
YOU see I can't think Of anything
but"
"Silence" roared Luke, stamping
his heavy heel fiercely.
Old Fan drew herself closer together
and closed mouth and eyes in a spasn
of fear. Fear of the thing in the well
fear of the man that put it there.
Miss Elgin." said he, "you have not
tasted food. Why?"
1.-THE wretch that dares to imprison
me would not hesitate to poison me,
said Kate.
You have secreted knife see
1t in your sleeve" said Hammond
"Why is that?'
"To defend myself
Defend yourself. You dread vio'
,ence?'
"Everything dreadful and barbarous
from you,' replied Kate.
"You are still untamed, Miss ElSin
You will cat ere long. l have known
starving men cat rank poison, rather
than endure the pangs of hunger. Bu
do not fear poison from me. Your life
IS as valuable to me as my own. You
heart is strong. your will that of {
heroine. | might torture you II
wished. What hinders NE? But tc
bend such natures as yours We mus
assail the soul. There IS one thought
that suStans your courage. You think
James Greene will seek for you."
Il know he will" cried Kate. proud
ly, as she thought OF him she loved.
"Catharine Elgin," said Hammond
taking a seat near her, Il am going
to knock away one of the props of youl
courage
"Strikc them all 10 the EARTH" said
Kate "and yet one will remain that
Luke Hammond and all his assistant
! y ri lnu,n-thn God
Of heaven"
"The days Of miracles have fled for
ever" said Hammond, coldly. Il feal
mortal foes alone. | am here to tel
you that James Greene has been here
tonight"
Yes" said Kate, she came, you liet
to him, and he was deceived. But ht
will come again and again. You can
not deceive him forever
He shall be deceived no more,' sale
Hammond, gravely. Fam
The old creature looked up.
ut would do you good to tell wha
YOU saw to somebody who did not
wouldn't it. FAM" asked Hammond.
you told me if told, you woult
kill me- said Fan. But l woul(
rather tell it than handle a piece O
new coined gold. All. it lies so heav,
right herc-On my heart-so heavy ant
hot-hot as my irons get when l leav'
them in the tirc-heavy and hot-colt
as ice too-it's dreadful. dreadful'
hnrcnlf n1nSi
again.
You may tell it to Miss Elgin. Blu
speak no names
} "Namesr said Fan. Names ar
dangerous things. know name w
kept Safe-satc as miser's gold thes
thirty years"
She forgot she had uttered it t
Kate Elgin the night before.
Hammond and Nancy Harker eS
changed startled glance as Fan sal
"thirty years." and poor Kate, expect
ing a tale Of horror. scarcely dared t
breathe.
"What is that name, Fan? l wi
give you dollar for every letter +
it." said Nancy.
mot q cent-not cent" eXclaime
Luke. And then to Nancy: "Silence
Did not say the thing should renal
unsearched? Better ignorance tha
agony-to her, to us--perhaps. Come
Fan, tell Miss Elgin what you saw"
But the mind OF the old woman wa
dwelling upon Nancy's offer.
"a dollar for every letter of tha
name" she said drearily. "a dollar
A diamond for every letter of tina
name would not tempt me to speak i
'Twas good name once-Written !
diamonds, it wasn't any brighter t
me, nor among men, than in plaii
honest ink. Mrs. Harker. A doze
dollars and q dozen diamonds a doze
times over could not buy my tongu
to speak 1t, and know said It,"
"A Dozen" thought Nancy, coun
ing in her mind, and stunning til
fierce glance of Luke. "She dwells o
the number without knowing it. Thel
were twelve letters in my father
name. must not think Of 1t. / sha
/ discover something dreadful"
"Comc, Fan" said Hammond, "eas
your mind, and tell Miss Elgin wha
you saw"
"Ar'n't you afraid to have 1t tolt