Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-08-20
By Prof. VIM. Henry Peck,
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Author Of the "1he Stone Cutter
Of Lisbon" Etc.

disobey his father" cried Hammond,
to whom this contingency had never
occurred.
I'VE did ours" said Nancy. very alb
ruptly.
"True; I must think of that" said
Hammond
Take It as a fixed fact that Charles
will refuse to marry her." persisted
Nancy. I'VE must be prepared at all
points"
Then, by my bAnod,' said Hammond.
"I will marry her myself"'
"you. She thinks you are her un-
&c"
II will und9ceice nri, Nancy Har.
ker," said Luke. "You know | am no
more her uncle than Daniel Is. l begin
to love that girl She looks like a
queen"
You are fool" said Nancy. "Why
not forge q will in favor Of yours If. II
you can destroy the genuine, or force
Henry Elgin to make one in your fa-
vor?"
Nonsense" said Hammond. "Mon-
the world would suspect villainy at
once-the law might smash the will to
Htoms-hcsdcs, | should have to re-
move Elglp and his daughter. Too
much removing, and I dread to forge
"True, and justly" said Nancy; ere
mcmbering how your fingers have been
burned in other eases"
Speak low!" said Luke. ave may
place ourselves in the power of the ser
wants"
I'VE are now, as for that said
Nancy
"And they in ours; so wc'll all float
or sink in the same boat"
"rcll me-" asked Nancy, after a long
pause, "if YOU shall succeed in forcing
Henry Elgin to make Il will in your IA
vor and in forcing Kate to marry you,
or your son, what guarantee have you
!hat Ecnry Elgin or she will not on
first chance dcnounce you to the an.
thoritics:'
Idiot" eXclaimed Luke "Do YOU
suppose shall ever permit Henry FL.
gin to leave this house alive? Is he not
already dead to the world? Could | or
he account to the world for his sup.
posed death and burial? No; Henry Ell.
Gin only lives until the genuine will
shall have been destroyed"
But if James Greene be destroyed,
what matters the Will:" asked Nancy.
"If it should ever be found, foolish
woman" replied Luke, people would
remember the disappearance Of James
Greene. Then in their minds would OK
Ist cause for that disappcarance-Ihe
will in his favor. That cause would be
that another might possess the estate,
and rs | would he The possessor, Ia.
Luke Hammond might hang for the
murder of James Greene
Good" said Nancy. You are care
full. But after Greene and Elgin shah
have been removed, and Kate has be.
come your wife, or the wife of your
son, what security viii you have that
hcr hate or vengeance shalt not con
sumo You as fire does stubblG:'
''She shall remain II prisoner until
tanned to love hor husband. or-go
mad.' said Hammond,
"Go mad" exclaimed Nancy.
go mad. or debut that is FAR
ahead rs yet" said Hammond; land
the present is more 70 be feared by us
than the future
Neither of the wicked pair cast Il
thought toward the great ana awful fu.
ture of the life after death; or, if either
did, twas not shown by word or hook.
And now" said hammond, placing
writing materials before him. "lor the
decoy note to James Greene. He has
Il note Of hers in hanh-I heard her tell
him that she sent him one inviting him
here. She keeps a diary-you will find
II in her room"
Nancy Harkcr hurried away and soon
returned with Catharne Elgin's diary,
Hammond placed it before him as a
guide in his forgery and began TO write
THAT note may be left elsewhere by
James Greene" said Nancy wishing to
display her shreWdness, land may
guide search for him hither"
II am providing against that" said
Hammond as he wrote. He was a
sEillful penman, and soon read his pro-
auction as follows:
New York, Mhrch 10, is.
"My Dearest James-Mr H. has gone
to Baltimore OH business which will
detain him for several days. We must
Improve the opportunity Unfortunate.
~ l am quite i'll to-day, and unable to
meet you at 7, but you must come to
see me between and 10 tonight. To-
gether we will seek for the cause of
the mysterious noises IN this house.
"As Mr.. II. has spies all around me,
and especially one who resides oppo.
site, and who will tell Of your visit il
Tou are recognized, you must come in
disguise. | have bribed Daniel, one Of
The servants, to take this note TO you,
ind Fan, the cook, to open the door for
rou Daniel will furnish you with
disguise which ! have selected. Old
Tan Is very deaf and neal sighted, and
IS / fear Mr.. H. might return | have
told Fan you will give her this note
when you enter She will lead you
nto the parlor and then bring the note
o me to assure me of your presence. l
will then meet you in the parlor, or
fan will conduct you tG me.
lfD n