The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-05-13
CHAPTER XIV.

I1e eAleuueu uiS uouo 40 A. w eoo>'
her wrist. She raised 1t quickly
with an expression Of disgust, and q
knife cleaned in her sleeve.
Hammond started back. he glanced
toward the dishes on the little table
and saw that Kate had secreted the
knife brought for use.
II ordered you, old fool" said he
to Fan, mot to bring knives to the
prisoners! l said carve the meat be
fore you take it to them. And now
she has knife"
1T forgot-my head is all a-pieces,'
said Fan, shaking her head sadly. u
am Of no use to anybody any more
you see l can't think Of anything
but"
"Silencew roared Luke, stamping
his heavy heel fiercely.
Old Fan drew herself closer together,
and closed mouth and eyes in a spasm
of fear. Fear Of the thing in the we'll
fear Of the man that put it there.
"Miss Elgin," said he, you have not
tasted food. Why"
"The wretch that dares to imprison
me would not hesitate to poison me, u
said Kate.
"You have secreted a knife. / see
1t in your sleeve" said Hammond
~Why Is that?''
ITO defend myself"
"Defend yourself! You dread vic.
lenceW
Everything dreadful and barbarous
from you," replied Kate.
"You are still untamed, Miss Elgin
You will eat ere long. I have known
starving men eat rank poison, rather
than endure the pangs of hunger. But
do not fear poison from me. Your life
is as valuable to me as my own. Your
heart is strong, your will that Of q
heroine. I might torture you if
wished. What hinders me? But to
bend such natures as yours we must
assail the soul. There is one thought
that sustains your, courage. You think
James Greene will geek for you"
II know he will,s cried Kate, proud
ly, as she thought of him she loved.
"Catharine Elgin," said Hammond,
taking a seat near her, Il am going
to knock away one of the props of your
courage"
"Strike them all to the EARTH" said
Kate, land yet one will remain that
Luke Hammond and all his assistant
demons cannot strike down-the God
Of heaven"
"The days of miracles have fed for
ever" said Hammond, coldly. II fear
mortal foes alone. l am here to tell
you that James Greene has been here
tonight"
"Yes," said Kate, che came, you lied
to him, and he was deceived. But he
will come again and again. You can
not deceive him forever"
HE shall be deceived no more" said
Hammond, gravely. Fan"
The old creature looked up.
1T would do you good to tell what
you saw to somebody who did not,
wouldn't it, FAM" asked Hammond.
"You told me if I told. you would
kill me-" said Fan. "But I would
father tell it than handle a piece Of
new-c coined gold. All! 1t lies so heavy
right here-on my heart-so heavy and
hot-hot as my irons get when leave
them in the fire-heavy and hot-cold
as ice, too-it's dreadful! dreadful"
Fan shivered, and drew herself close
again.
"You may tell it to Miss Elgin. But
speak no names"
"Names! said Fan. Names are
dangerous things. know a name I've
kept safe-safe as miser's gold these
thirty years."
She forgot she had uttered it to
Kate Elgin the night before.
Hammond and Nancy Harker ex-
changed startled glance as Fan said
''thirty years." and poor Kate, expect
Ing tale Of horror, scarcely dared to
breathe.
what is that name, Fan? I will
give you dollar for every letter in
It," said Nancy.
mot a cent-not a cent? exclaimed
Luke. And then to Nancy: silence
Did 1 not say the thing should remain
unsearched? Better Ignorance than
agony-to her, to us-perhaps. Come
Fan, tell Miss Elgin what you scw."
But the mind Of the old woman was
dwelling upon Nancy's offer.
"a dollar for every letter Of that
namew she said drearily. "A dollar
A diamond for every letter Of that
name WOULD not tempt me to speak it
'Twas a good name once-written il
diamonds, it wasn't any brighter tc
me, nor among men, than in plain
honest ink, Mrs. Harker. A dozer
dollars and a dozen diamonds a dozer
times over could not buy my tongue
to speak it, and know 1 said it."
"a Dozen" thought Nancy, count
ing in her mind, and stunning tn,
fierce glance of Luke. "She dwells OF
tie number without knowing it. Their
were twelve letters in my father
name. / must not think or II. l shal
discover something dreadful"
Come, Fan" said Hammond, "eas
your mind, and tell Miss Elgin wha
you saw"
"Ar'n't you afraid to have it told
Luke Hammond?" said Fan, rollini
her Dloodshot eyes fearfully.
II command you to tell her.
II WILL" said Fan. 1t will do N