Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-10-29
BY Prof. VIM. Henry Peck,

Author Of the "1he Stone-C Gutter
Of Lisbon" Etc.

Grst-ha! let them comc--l can tight
fight hard now-for my yellow
| BRIDES
She hobblcd away and Hammond
locked the door after her.
When he turned, Nancy Harker was
weeping bitterly.
whats that absurdity for?' he said
with a coarse laugh.
"Oh, Roland, she is our mother" OK
claimed Nancy.
"Take care! Call me not by any
other name than Luke Hammond
said he. grasping her by the arm
"Woman, you are growing weak, fool
ish. dangerous"
Dangerous" she repeated, dryin:
her tears instantly.
AYE, dangerous. Nancy Dangerous
| to me. SO look sharp, and call me nt
| strange and forgotten names. j ain
a man to meet and destroy dangcr-no,
to be crushed by a cry-baby."
Enough, Luke" said Nancy. "1ll b'
weak no more
1.-The better for you. Nancy sale
Luke. resortinG to his brandy. "Kccl
| quiet. The madness, grief and age o.
! The old woman Is killing her. Let thi,
J matter rest, and wait--watrh and walt
SO Daniel left his charge last nigh
and went prowling after gold?'
NO" saiu Nancy; Fan imagined 1t
/ she is always accusing some one O
wishing to steal her gold. Daniel il
true to his post
He had best be- for Id end hi;
business very suddenly if lie tried any
tricks" said Luke. grinding bis tcetl
I together
Then seeing Nancy retTeating unit
! her back touched the wall. aud staring
/ wildly at vacancy, he cried out:
"What is the matter with you nov"
"Sce. There. Near you"
What: l see nothing" said Ham
mond, looking about him and drawing
a pistol
Il see it--I see lt-oh. Eeaven"
groaned Nancy
| what? Speak, woman
"The shape--the shape that harnts
our dreams said Nancy, wildly. "Oul
fathers face in inliy clouds. His lips
! move-he speaks. Listen"
Despite his iron nature, Luke trem
blcd like a leaf in Il gale, and wifi
staring eyes gaZcd about him.
Il ser ana hear nothing" said he
ut length.
"Gone-goue at last" murmureL
Nancy, sinking into a chair.
You are putting on, Nancy Harkcr
! You know you are
| Il saw it.-.I swear | saw it. ] hearL
it, cried Nancy. angrily.
Bah. Imagination. You are Goins
mad like Fan. If you heard it, wha
did it say"
"'BeH'are OF Harriet FoSS. Wher
| she shall meet ye, and yc shall know
each other, ye die"" said Nancy.
"Nonscnsew said Hammond. "Nouv,
dreamed that 50 often that at last yot
| think YOU hear it. | tell you, my goo,
woman, to he careful. You are grow
! ing quite dangerous. | expect to heal
! from John Marks every instant | an
ustonished that lie or stephen have 10
returned. The bark Cleaner must b'
in port. Come, we must have no more
Of this nonsense, Nancy
Nancy made no reply. but drew
a.,
Luke looked at her in silence foI
some time, and then thought:
"She is failing fast, This won't do
/ may have to take care OF her u
! last"
The gate he'll clattered loudly, and h
started to his feet.
'There. We will have news now
| hope. Do you 50 to the white anC
cold. will admit this person."
Il beg you not to do 1t, Luke sale
Nancy. II trcm5lc every instant t.
hear OF your 0eatl. aud of course min'
will follow sharp after
"Eut the gate must be opened. Harl
% the dogs"
Il will send Daniel to the gate
Nelther Stephen nor Marks will return
hither from the street"
True. fnrgot that eIclaime>
Luke; "send Daniel up to me-"
Nancy left the library, and DAME
soon came up.
Daniel" said Hammond. ''go to tE'
.alc. Admit no one. II you tint
s.cphcn or the gentleman you admittCt
Gi.nt before last, say that he mus
enter by the private door in the rear
Ii any one inquiries for me or Mis-
Elgin say that we are in Boston, ant
will not return for several days. 1t i
after 10 o'clock-a late hour for an.
one to call"
Daniel went On his mission, and aftc
several moments returned with a let
:er. which Hammond eagerly opened
md read as follows:
metropolitan Hotel, n. Y,
"March 18th, . p. IN.
II have warned Charles. We ar
certainly watched. Harriet Foss wa
at the wharf when We landed. Sh
was disguised, but | knew her w
will be with you at midnight.
JOHN MARKS"
"Who gave you this?" asked Luke.
"a man--don't know him-neyer say
him before, sir" replied Daniel. III
gave me the note and hurried away.
Every well. Now return to your post.