Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-08-27
CHAPTER IX.

NV sweethearts, Miss. | had lots of
, em-long time ago. You needn't think
70 coax me, Miss, with nice Names
said Fan. shaking her head briskly.
All the days ha' been in this house,
and that's nigh on a year, you've never
20 much as looked ut me. Oh, no. my
name is Fan, aud Mr.. Hammond is my
master"
"But how cruel in you and him TO
keep me here, and my poor father,
too" said Kate.
That's none Of my business, MisS
Mr.. Hammond pays me- said Fan.
Have You no pity. no heart no
soulT' cried Kate.
Not a bi.--not a mite. They robbed
me Of all the heart ever had. ]
haven't got anything now but ycarn,
ng for such stuff as this" said Fan,
placing the gold coin that Luke had
given her upon the floor.
"Who robbed you, Fannie?' asked
Eac.
Say. Miss. Do you want to talk to
me-" asked Fan, quickly. when l
drst came into this room you wouldn't
look at mn, even. Now, all at once,
you want to talk Oh, no. my master
pays me to keep his secrets-when
:an get hold of them-and pay mySclt
for keeping my own
"The old wretch thought Kate.
loves nothing but gold. and have
very little to give her But | must
make a beginning. Here. Fannie she
said aloud, and showing gold dollar,
or which she had several in her purse.
you see lhis:
Old Fans eyes glttercd as she fixed
her greedy gaze upon the little coin.
Tell me who robbed you of your
heart, and you Shall have this said
Kate.
Even Luke Hammond pays me in
advance. Old Fan trusts nobody
,ad Fan.
Take it." said Kate, and the coin
spun in the air. Old Fan caught it as
starving dog catches tlorscl of meat
in her mouth.
Il learned the trick" said Fan,
weighing the coin on her finger nall,
"to please q Snowman l travelled with
once. Some people used to toss pen
uies to ne, but / didn't spit 'cm out
because they We're coppery-pennies
grow into dollars. Now, Ill tell you
who stole my heart out of me, and
made me hate everybody. 1t was my
children"
Your children. Fannie never
knew yon had any children Where
are they" said Kate.
The old woman looked keenly at the
lovely girl. Kate's tone Cf genuine
sympathy had astonished her.
Yes" said Fan. Il had son and
daughter once. The son robbed mo
and ran away when he was twenty
years old thirty years ago. The
daughter went with him. toO-She was
sixteen then. That didn't make me
lad. Miss
What did, FanncT" asked Kate,
THE descrion of the children killed
their fathcr-killed him when he heard
it as sudden as If a hayonct had split
lis heart wide open, Miss Elgn. He
was my husband. After he died the
world cot black as ink to me; | went
crazy: amt quite straight i'll my head
now. Straight enough though. not TO
let YOU get away from Mr.. Hammond
so long as ne pays me-, said she, with
sharp glance. II love to talk--no'
body talks to me- though. After my
husband died, and | went crazy, what
do you think my children did?'
Il hope they returned, were very
sorry, and took good care of you, Fan
ME-" said Kate, who did not despair
of gaining the good will of the half
idiOtic creature.
Would you have done that, Miss
asked Fan.
II would never desert my parents"
said Kate.
"lou would. You are all alike
sons and daughters-all of ye!
screamed old Fan. flying into tenn
pest Of rage and springins mp. "fou
would have done what mine did-put
NE in a madhouse-sell all | had and
run off again! Fiends If could find
those children I'd eat 'em up-eat 'em
up raw! l wonder II you amt one;
she hobbled nearer to Kate and peered
closely into her face.
Horrors" thought Kate. "This is
a mad woman, and l am alone with
her. What shall do?'
Il think you are one--I think you arc
the girl" said Fan. still drawing near,
with her distorted rat-lile eyes blazing
from horrid yisage, scanned and
rcarred with the ravages of the small.
pox MY girl was as pretty rs you"
Her Lean bony fingers touched poor
Rates trembling hanG.
"And her hands wer> soft, like this"
said Fan. II wish ! had teeth now.
you must be my girl. Nellie Dunn"
Kate tossed her purse from her, and
It clnked as it fell upon the floor.
Pick that UP and you may have It,"
eid Kate. though white as snow.
"Gold!' cried old Fan. darting upon
tie purse and emptying its contents
into her palm. 'Oh, no! You are not
any girl. My girl never gave me gold
she helped to rob me-" and as if the