Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-08-06
By Prof. VIM. Henry Peck,
Author of the "1hs Stone- Cutter
Of Lisbon" Etc.

seeing me, KNOW SHe Huu Ao oh"iS :"
lily misery. Wretched man! you had
almost made me believe that Catharine
Elcin eountehanced this brutality to
secure the estate Dog! I know row
you lied!'
Hammond grew pale with rage and
shame ds Elgin went on.
"For six months after found myself
In the white and gold chamber, you
told me my daughter, having learned
how had disposed of the estate, con-
scnted to NIX Imprisonment until
should Secure the property to you and
to her. For months would hot be-
leve 1t possible that d child could &c
treat h parent. But you, that woman
Nancy Harker, Daniel, Stephen, all you
allowed to approach me, said 1t was
true; and the thought. the horrible
doubt, preyed upon my mind until rea'
son fed from the torment. YOU and
your creatures lied. Luke Hammond
Henry Elgn," said Hammond,
"your rage Is Useless. YOU know | de-
ceived you: your daughter now knows
that deceived her. When you two
years ago, told me that you intended
to make a will leaving nearly every dol
lar of the wealth you enjoyed to james
Greene"
aye" Interrupted Elgln, bitterly,
you know the name at lust. l theh
thought my brother.in-law-m friend
thought him anything but black
hearted scoundrel; and wished to dc
tardy Justice to James Greene, whose
father l have wronged, and towhom
by right all the wealth in which !
moved belonged. That my daughter
should not suffer by the act, had
pretended not to see her growing love
for James Greene. and used many
plans to encourage. while seeming ig
norant Of 1t. withheld this scheme
from your knowledge because | knew
YOU We're desirous to see Catharine FL
Gin the wife Of your son; and esteem
Ing you, I dlsliked to wound you by
rejecting the suit you urged IN the
name Of your son Charles. l feared,
too, that you might attempt, even
succeed in checking the love | saw
growing in my daughters heart fol
James Greene. Therefore, was he
never invited to my house, and sc
you never dreamed Of til" attachment
II would have crushed 1t II l had
said Hammond. II would have uScC
any means to create dislike or con
tempt in Catharine's mind. AS FOL
James Greene-well, he should have
been provided for But have learned
the affair thoroughly now, Henry El
gin. But to review the past, all uneX
planned to you. and that you may know
what n man | am to deal with. let me
continue.
when I found that you intended
20 leave your property to James
Greene"
Henry Elgin again interrupted him
with: =
II never mentioned his name.
told you there lived man whose fa;
thcr | had wronged. and that when
died that man should be made rich
that nearly all my property should &c
to him. And l told you this, hoping
you would give up the thGnght VI try
ing to bring about n match between my
daughter and your son. lfeared to tell
you the name of that Young ,man. lest
you might learn all. Twas Il fool tt
tell you anything. but l thought yot
We're an honorable man. though well
knew you We're Il ,most arar1ciOus anc
ambitious one. Itcannot di'-ine why
so great villain .has not, destroyed
The will In favor OF James ;Greene, OIL
why Luke Hammond has nd murdered
me and forged a will i'm myIname."
II will tell you" said Ihmmond
"Aftcr you told me Of your intention
l resolved to discover the rnnlc of thu
Young man you wished, to make rich
This | failed to d,>--you held the secre'
well. During the Whole of your i'm
prisonment, you h;Ee never breathet
his name Failing, to discover him
and being sure you; ;had' made Il will, }
resolved TO-
Here Hammond paused. ns il evel
his soul revolted from confession
that must lower him still more, If tha
were possible, in thetopinion Of his vic
tim.
"Poson me-" said' Elgin, calmly. ~
have suspected it,"
True l resolved to remove you
that dying intestatc, your only chile
would be beyond allSdlspute, heiress
at-law."
Mr.. Elgin groaned in great bitter
ness of spirit For lie remembered
that during his first six months of i'm
prisonmcnt he had sometimes won
dered If his child had not consented
or helped to the deed. He had com
mitted great mistake In not having
! made her his confidant, when he saw
! that she loved James Greene.
81 did poison you" said Hammond
in low whisper, and as pale as til.
sheets Of the bed.
"Ha, scoundrel! you confess It." ex
claimed Elgin.
What need to conceal 1t now? !
tell you that you may know what s
man / am"
"a flcnd! A demon! Satan himself
but no man" groaned Mr.. Elgin
"And in the white and gold room yor
always hintcd that my child had dont
! itl Oh. God, hear my prayer. ani