The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-07-29

unlocked the door and entered with
out ceremony.
"Mr. Hammond wishes to see you,"
said Nancy.
HE is a villain wearing the name Of
an honest man. l have no desire to
see him." was the spirited reply OF
Kate Elgin, who was pacing the floor,
still firm and strong.
The knowledge that her lover still
lived and was escaping. as we'll rs the
food she had taken in her fathers pr-
son, upheld her amid dangers.
"Still untamed, my lady" said Ham'
mond, striding into the room, and
wearing his grim, eSultant smile.
Nancy, what did say when We start
ed hither:"
"You said, Come, let's 90 visit the
bride,"" said Nancy.
II am to be a BRIDE" said Kate. but
not yours. sir. may even become the
bride of death, but never hope to call
me wife"
&No? You are confident sneered
Hammond. But, fortunately for my
happiness, Miss Elgjn. you mistake.
intend to marry you this coming night.
Ah! you have slipped your handcuffs.
But that is no matter. Mrs. Harker,
be so kind as to retire into the hall.
Your presence may embarrass my WOO
ing"
Kate grew very pale and her heart
beat thick and fast, but she said moth
ing as Nancy Harker went out.
Now. Catharine Elgin," said Ham
mond. assuming a softer tone than she
thought so bad man could use, let
ME tell you something you may not be-
lieve, but 1 swear it is true"
"Come not near me. wretch! cried
Kate, as he seemed about to step near
er. "Since I must hear what you have
to say. speak! But swear to nothing,
for will believe nothing you can say"
"Catharine Elgin, my son, in falling
in love with woman before his return
to New York has done me 4 service. /
love you"
"Silence! base. villainous wretch"
cried poor Kate, growing alarmed as
Hammond's eyes seemed to blaze.
Eyes, by my soul. Catharine Elgin, ]
adore YOU. I began this affair from
love of gold. I was rapidly versing
into hopeless bankruptcy. and to save
myself from ruin and disgrace, / con-
ceived the plot to gain the fortune
Henry Elgin intended for James
Greene. Love Of gold was then my
only desire. But since I have known
your character, and because my son
will not advance his suit for your hand
I arn no longer in love with gold.
am in love with your
"Oh, detestable villain! said poor
Kate.
$50 much do I love you" continued
Hammond. "that were ten times your
fathers wealth now mine I would
cast it away to call you my wife I
love you, and am willing to set your
father free, and to risk his anger, to
dare the law. If you will consent to be
my wife"
Never" exclaimed Kate.
"Consider your situation. Catharine
Elgin. You are wholly. hopelessly In
my power. Your father is more in my
power than you are, for the world
thinks he lies mouldering in his tomb
in Greenwood. You have your choice.
Consent to be my wife, OF see your
father die before your eyes!'
His calm ferocity of look, and his
air of iron, Interchangeable will, awed
Kate more than his words. And Luke
Hammond was in earnest. He was in
fatuated with Hates great beauty as
much as he loved her fathers wealth.
Kate remembered her fathers eau
tion-to gain time.
Twill you give me one day more to
refect?" she asked.
Zone day more" repeated Hammond,
looking at her eager face with his
keen, gray stare. '"There is something
in your face 1 do not like, Catharine
Elgin, all lovely as it is. ! see that you
ask for time, hoping to he delivered.
You need not hope. I told you yester-
day, I think, that the days of miracles
had ceased. You are in my power. and
vet I suspect plot to escape. You
have already slipped off your mana
cles."
"No; starvation has reduced the size
Of my hands," said Kate: "the hand
cuffs fell off with their own weight.
Grant me another day to consider"
Hammond reflected for a long time,
but as be had told Nancy he scented
danger in the air.
"No. I will not grant it," said be,
looking at his watch. 1T Is now .
o'clock. You shall see me at II to-
night, and remember that I shall come
to make you my wife,
"Can you find man so villainous as
20 degrade his holy Office by going
through a ceremony at which l shall
cry Nay! even IL my last breath goes
with my denial?" said Kate.
To be continued.