The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-04-29
Copyright 1885
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I Better be turnkey in the Tombs than
here: for there they Had reglar hours
to wake q cove"
stephen" said Hammond. patrol
the front and rear yards carefully;
then turn loose the dogs"
Daniel told me You were expecting
your son tonight. sir" said Stephen.
Right" said Hammond. "but the
gate win be locked and he can ring
the gate bell. Then examine all the
fasteniugs Of the windows all around
doors and all"
"Somethin' uncommon gay sprung q
leak" ruminated the obedient Stephen
as he departed. ''The gov'ner seems ex.
cited-but that's none Of my business" {"
"You seem very much afraid Of o
woman" said Marks. when Stephen
had gone.
"A woman" exclaimed Nancy. "A
devil. John Marks. Now tell US how
she found out We were In New York"
First ten me why yor two fear her
so much" said Marks. If am to be
your friend in this matter must know
what kind Of ground stand on"
rs II not enough for you to be paid
for your servicesY asked Hammond.
mo-" replied Marks, tossing his cigar
aside and assuming q determined look
that sat well on his dark features.
For me to be paid for my services By
strangers la all an honest man like me
can ask. FIut with q woman who has
been my wife. and my former brother.
in-law. pay is not enough. my friends.
Last night, Luke Hammond. you took
me by surprise. I did not expect to
meet you here and your pistol was my
first hint Of who you were. Tonight
am prepared for war or peace" he
laid q pair Of pistols upon the table.
and continued:
."You two are carrying on some dev-
iltry in this house. know It. have
made inquiries about Luke Hammond.
I want to gee Luke HaInmond's niece.
Don't scowl! I am not afraid Of either
Of you. More than twenty.four years
have passed since We met, and want
that time iilled up to my mind. II you
want to know how my time has slipped
along, 90 to England. and you will
learn that John Marks was convicted
Of burglary he never committed. SEN
tenced to transportation to Australia
for twenty years-sesved his sentence.
and has picked up scanty living ever
since. here and there"
"Y,u shall know why We fear Har-
riet Foss." said Hammond. But as
regards all my life. I shall take time to
consider before ! tell you. You have.
you say, been making inquiries about
Luke Hammond. Does any one doubt
that am he?"
mot soul, and am eager to learn
how You managed the deception" said
Marks.
"As regards that. you shall learn
when We have so bound you to as that
we shall not fear your treachery." said
Hammond.
"Treacheryv exclaimed John, with
bitter emphasis. "John Marks was
never treacherous In all his life to you.
Can you say the same Of your conduct
toward himY'
81 told you" said Luke, gravely,
when you were here last night to call
again. / need you. But first let Nancy
say that to you which shall make you
one Of u.s."
John Marks" said Nancy. you We're
once my husband thought I loved
you"
"That was q mistake-go on"
"And you said you loved me-"
II lied. admit It. I never cared a
straw for you. I wanted money. and
yeu had It."
Nancy Harker's eyes flashed. but she
went on:
"The name I bore. the name my
brother there bore before became
your wife We have sunk forever. That
Is Of no consequence"
"You simply disgraced it-that's an
said Marks.
"If you interrupt In this manner the
conversation ends here. and since You
come prepared for peace or war. 1t shall
be war to the hiltw exclaimed Ham.
mond. Remember you are In my
house, and behave accordingly"
VERY well. 90 on" said Marks, who
seemed fierce and bitter in the presence
Of Nancy.
She resumed.
"You and my brother were bosom
friends. You were both Wild and dissl.
pated. and the money supplied to you
by indulgent parents was not enough
to suit you. Neither Of You could wait
until nature should leave you the heirs
Of your fathers wealth, for our fathers
were rich. Neither Of you were bad
enough to take the life of father. So.
unable to wait. unwilling to slay. you
robbed your fathers"
by my hand. madam. you helped
us." said Marks.
Il do not deny It," said Nancy coldly.
II was as bad as you. You and my
brother had no trouble to persuade me
to aid you in the robbery, and then to
fly with you. But that you feared my
brothers vengeance you would not
have made me your welded wife"
II admit that had some influence
with me. But as you appear to. be
going to make long story Of the affair
! Ill smoke through It"
He produced cigar and lighted II,