The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-06-10
By Prof. VIM. Henry Peck,
|&3S7S1S1S162R3&4&1&1@610o
Author Of the "1se Stone Cutter
Of Lisbon" Etc.

"Dangerousw she repeated, drying
her tears instantly.
"Aye, dangerous, Nancy. Dangerous
to me. So look sharp, and call me no
strange and forgotten names. I am
man to meet and destroy danger-not
to be crushed by cry-baby."
Enough, Luke" said Nancy. "I'l be
weak no more"
1.-THE better for you, Nancy" said
Luke, resorting to his brandy. Keep
quiet. The madness, grief and age of
the old woman is killing her. Let this
matter rest, and wait-watch and wait.
So Daniel left his charge last night
and went prowling after gold?"
"No," said Nancy; Fan imagined It.
She is always accusing some one of
wishing to steal her gold. Daniel is
true to his post"
"He had best be, for I'd end his
business very suddenly If he tried any
tricks" said Luke, grinding his teeth
together.
Then seeing Nancy retreating until
her back touched the wall, and staring
wildly at vacancy, he cried out:
"What is the matter with you now?'
"See! There! Near your
"What? see nothing" said Ham
mond, looking about him and drawing
a pistol
Il see it, see it-oh, Heaven
groaned Nancy.
What? Speak, Womanw
1.-THE shape-the shape that haunts
our Dreams" said Nancy, wildly. "Our
fathers face in inlky clouds! His lips
move-he speaks! Listen!"
Despite his iron nature, Luke tem-
bled like a leaf in gale, and with
staring eyes gazed about him.
81 see and hear nothing" said he,
at length.
"Gone-gone at lastr' murmured
Nancy, sinking into chair.
"You are putting on, Nancy Harker;
you know you are"
IT saw it-I swear I saw 1t. I heard
it." cried Nancy, angrily.
bah! Imagination! You are going
mad like Fan. If you heard it, what
did it say?"
"'Beware Of Harriet Foss! When
she shall meet ye, and ye shall know
each other, ye dier" said Nancy.
"Nonsensew said Hammond you've
dreamed that so often that at last you
think you hear it tell you, my good
woman, to be careful You are grow
ing quite dangerous. I expect to hear
from John Marks every instant. am
astonished that he or Stephen have not
returned. The bark Cleaner must be
in port. Come, we must have no more
Of this nonsense, Nancy"
Nancy made no reply, but drew a
chair to the fire and sat down.
Luke looked at her in silence for
some time, and then thought:
"She Is failing fast. This won't do.
I may have to take care Of her at
LAST"
The gate bell clattered loudly, and he
started to his feet.
There! We will have news now,
I hope. Do you 60 to the white and
gold. I will admit this person"
II beg you not to do 1t, Luke" said
Nancy. II tremble every instant to
hear of your death, and Of course mine
will follow sharp after"
"But the gate must be opened. Hark
to the dogs"
II will send. Daniel to the gate.
Neither Stephen nor Marks will return
hither from the street"
"True, I forgot that" exclaimed
Luke; "send Daniel up to me-"
Nancy left the library, and Daniel
soon came up.
Daniel" said Hammond, "go to the
gate. Admit no one. II you find
Stephen or the gentleman you admitted
night before last, say that he must
enter by the private door in the rear.
If any one inquiries for me or Miss
Elgin, say that we are in Boston, and
will not return for several days. 1t is
after 10 o'clock-a late hour for any
one to call"
Daniel went on his mission, and after
several moments returned with a let
ter, which Hammond eagerly opened
and read as follows:
metropolitan HotS N, Y,
March 18th, p. N.
II have warned Charles. We are
certainly watched. Harriet Foss was
at the wharf when we landed. She
was disguised, but I knew her. We
will be with you at midnight.
JOHN MARKS"
"Who gave you this?" asked Luke.
"a Ean-don't know him-never saw
him before, sir" replied Daniel. "He
gave me the note and hurried away"
Very we'll Now return to your post"
said Hammond, and as Daniel de-
parted, he continued: "But why this
delay! Strange that Stephen has not
returned. Ah"' he exclaimed with q
sudden thought. They will come by
the private entrance, and STEPHEN re-
mains to guide them. John Marks
says. We will be with you He must
mean himself, my son and Stephen.
Patience! must wait"
We left him, many hours before, dig
ging under the wall that surrounded
the well. A frame less powerful than
his, or a heart less bold, would have
given up In despair before the num-
berless obstacles he met and overcame.
At length, after many hours of labor,