Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-07-16
By Prof. VIM. Henry Peck.
Author of the "1Ss Stone. Cutter


But Kate had resolved to throw OIL,
| for once and ALL the yoke OF tyranny
which, till now, she had made rs light
| as possible by humility and pardonable
| evasion.
She drew herself erect, and returned
the stare with untlinchng pride.
| Have you any more compliments 10
! lavish uDon me, Mr.. Hammond?' she
asked.
Miss Elgin." said he, lowering and
softcning his tone, you forget that
you are addressing your mothers
brother
"And you do not care to remember
that you are speaking TO your sisters
dsighter, Mr. Hammond said she,
still firmly.
"This change in one formerly Sc
gentle, Miss Elgin,' remarked Ham
mond "astonishPs me-
II was gentle Mr.. Hammond, untl'
your harsh treatment turned gentle.
ness to defiance"
"My harsh treatment Miss Elgin.'
"My words, Mr.. Hammond, arc not
so strong as MY thoughts. | repeat
your harsh treatment. During my IA
I ,hcr's life | was allowed every liberty
! consistent with correct behavior. Since
my fathers death you have made me
almost prisoner in the house | have
every reason to believe mine. You
have discharged all of the servants
formerly employed hy my father
"The involved state in which youl
honolpd father lcft his affairs. Miss
Elgin, does not allow me- 10 retain those
servants said Hammond.
Then why discharge them and hire
creatures Of your own? demanded
Kate.
"Crcatures of my own. Upon my
word, Miss Elgin, yin intimate that |
| am villain pursuing some llilch
course" said Hammond.
Take It nc ysu please, Mr.. Ham
mond." SAID Kate. The hOusekeep'i
of my father you discharged 10 make
room for Mrs. Harkr. Tho three other
servants YOU hired to fill places YOU
made vacant. You have forbidden ma
TO leave the house unattended by SONG
one OF those servants. You have COM
mandeH me to retire from the society
in which moved when my father was
alive. You say you do this to wean ne
from luxury that may become accuS
toned to the poverty which, you say,
YOU fear will fail upon me when my
fathers affairs shall have been thor
oughly adjusted. Mr.. Hammond, | dc
not believe il. Those whom l meet
when | do 20 from this house speak OF
mo and to me as If | We're q rich
heress'
They are all deceived" said Ham
| mond. quickly. II assure you, Miss
Elgin, YOU will live to see this house
sold over your head to pay the debts
your father left behind
Did my father dic knowing Of these
dchtS?" asked Kate.
"Hc did The knowledge embittered
his last moments terribly" said Ham
mOnd.
Did my father know that the settle
ment of his debts, Mr. Hammond,
would leave me, his only child, p2nnI'
less?"
Upon my word of honor, Miss Ell
gin, he did
Then please inform me, Mr.. Ham
mond," said Kate, with a glance that
pierced him to the marrow, why he
left that will OF which you told me-
Luke Hammond saw that he WAS
caught in his own trap. detected
liar is the most miserable wretch inn
Hgnablc; and ii lIammond's features
had been cast iron instead of flesh and
blood, it seemed to him that his f@cl
would have confessed the lie.
Kate's bright and searching eye was
riddling him with unspoken contempt.
and he felt that the longer she SazeG
the more he with2red.
Il do not know--that iS--there wcrt
certain" he began. But his tongue
seemed to curl upon itself, and to cling
to the roof of his mouth.
Enough, Mr.. Hammond said Kate,
scornfully. DO not mire yourself a9y
deeper in what | now know to be Il
miserable lie"
"Ha. lie. You dare to say that to
me:' clustered Hammond, happy tc
have Il chance to go into rage. ano
pushing back his stiff, short gray nan
until he looked like a fury. 'Sou
dare say that TO me-
II dare" said bold Kate, fashln:
back his ticrc2ness.
You shall rue this, Catherine El
gin! BY my llood, you shall rue it.
| mSs,' said he, stamping his foot
! heavily. and dashing his clenchc1
hands upon the marble table near him.
" have been your friend and your
rather's friend You are forcing me
to hate you, and let me tell you. Cath
arinc Elgin, that when I hate ] hate
with all the gail Of bitterness. You
dispute my authority in this house. |
tell you | am The master of this house.
Perhaps you will tremble when ] tell
you, Catharine Elsin, that it is now in
my power, this instant, to turn you in.
to the street, houSeleSs, homeless, pens
| niless"
mo. | do not tremble. Sir" said
Kate, calmly, though her face was very
pale.
GO to your apartment, Miss Elgin,"
said Hammond. Seek counsel with
your pillow, and your better sense will
teach you that Luke Hammond Is your