The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-02-18
CHAPTER I.
THE EAvEs-pRoPpERs.

JIG WAS near the QOuS o. Hluc ~ uISnS
in the city Of New York. some years
ago, when Luke Hammond, q money
broker, entered his house on Blank
street, and proceeded to his library.
he was q tan. thin man. full fifty
years old, and with q hard, dark face,
deeply marked witt care and schem-
ing.
Seating himself at his desk, he be.
san to read from q paper which he had
drawn up with great are during the
day, when he was disturbed by the en-
trance Of his housekeeper.
You might have knocked, Mrs. Har.
ker," said Hammond. snappishly. and
aiding the paper into q drawer.
~ came like q cat. that the mice
miSht not hear" said Mrs. Harkef, q
thin and sallow-faced woman, speaking
In a whisper that did not hide the
natural sharpness Of her voice.
"Come. speak plainly" said Ham,
mond. wheeling his chair to face her.
you remember the young carpenter
who repaired that desk?" replied Mrs.
Harker.
"Yes-you mean James Greene. What
Of him? Has he come for his hammer?
Why didn't you give 1t to him? I told
you"
wont you walt. Luke HammondT'
said Mrs. Harker. you're q hasty
fool, with all your smartness. James
Greene hasn't been here to-day for his
hammer-he's forgotten all about 1t, i
suppose. But don't you think some
thing else than q hammer might draw
BIN here?"
what else? Tell me what you want,
and then 60 about your business" said
Hammond.
"Isn't there something In this house
q young man would like better than a
hammer? There's Miss Elgin. now"
whispered Mrs. Harker.
.Ah! You don't mean to hint that
James Greene has been here to-day to
zee my nieceY said Hammond. rising
quickly and growing white.
'aThat's what I mean. James Greene
has been here this morning, and he
and Miss Elgin had q long talk In the
parlor."
He has! The impudent rascal!
What cap he and Miss Elgin have in
common? Why did you let him In?
Why didn't you turn him out?"
I'll tell you what they have in COM
mon." whispered Mn. Harker. drawing
nearer, and pushing her sharp face
close to Hammond's. Miss Elgin has
taken a desperate fancy to James
Greene and he to her. She let him In
ut the front door-she must have been
watching for him. for he was In the
parlor talking to her before I knew
anything about it."
81 win not believe II. What. Kate
Nlgin. my niece. take q fancy to q
pcor carpenter-a journeyman. tooT ex.
claimed Hammond. why. it's only
three weeks since he repaired that
desk. and Miss Elgin saw him but for
q moment"
"She's met him often since. and
don't you speak SO loud. or they'll hear
you"
"They1 whow demanded Ham,
mond.
James Greene and Miss Elgin.
They're in the parior now" said Mrs.
Harker.
Fool! why not tell me 50 at once?'
--~Na-~ XI.-n~nn ann m and nv
der him out this Instant"
"Hasty again. Luke Hammond" said
Mrs.. Harker. placing her back to The
door. Hadn't you better creep on
them. and see II they aren't talking
about something else than love mat.
ters?"
Mrs. Harker's eyes seemed 30 full Of
mystery that Hammond paused. and
grew as white as q sheet.
Observation-Disclosures he STAN.
mered.
"Yes; I heard her tell him she want.
Cd his aid in finding out what makes
those groans and noises In the eastern
part Of the house sometimes"
But she has always believed that
part Of the house haunted. I have made
her think So" said Hammond.
"well. James Greene has too much
sense to believe In ghosts" replied
Mrs. HarIser. Miss Elgin has told
him about the strange noises. and he
has laughed at the idea Of ghosts and
such like. and 80 they are putting their
heads together to master the mystery.
Now. II they do that. Luke Hammond.
you and I had better begin to look
for a hiding. place"
"Hush! woman; walls have ears!'
said Hammond. greatly agitated. IF
Miss Elgin Is once alarmed. sine will
never stop until she has satisfied her
SELF. But conceive must hear what
they are saying"
"Down. round by the back stairs
this way" whispered Mrs. Harker. as
she passed into the hall. They are
sitting near the dining-room door. The
door is shut and locked. but one of
the glass panes Is broken"
"They must have heard me come In
whispered Hammond. as they crepl
down the stairs.
mot q bit-I didn't hear you. and
was listening for you. You know you
always open the front door and stea'
up to your library as II you expected
. surprise. So do l."
at Is well for US to be careful. Mrs
Earker."
"Now. not a word, Luke Hammond
Here's the dining-room. Give me your