The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-04-15
CHAPTER XI.
LUKE HAMMOND SPRINGS HIS rRAr

Sk2Ax En- <AAs
LUKE HAMMOND SPRINGS HIS TRAP.
After three hours Of hard labor in
the old store room. which was upon
the ground floor Of the mansion. Luke
Hammond pronounced his man-trap In
fine working order. and having retired
to his library summoned old Fan.
She entered the library with her half.
idiot!c. balf-savase grin ard waited
for orders.
Fan" said Hammond. avoiding her
sharp. distorted eyes. there's fve-dol-
lar gold piece for you"
BE placed the coin upon the table.
and she snapped it into her pocket in
second.
Good! We are to have some devl'ry.'
muttered Fan. smacking her wlthcred
lips.
"At . o'clock" said Hammond. you
will place yourself In the 1estibule. Ar.
ter q time a gentleman In 4 white hat
viii enter the yard gate boldly. walk
up to you. and you will say. The
note. He will give it to you. Then
conduct him into the rear parlor. and
bring the note to me. Do you under,
stand"
"Yes. Mr.. Hammond" said Fan.
every we'll. Now, have dinner served
at G. and 60 about your business" said
Hammond.
Old Fan departed. chucklirs over her
good luck.
"He pays we'll" she muttered. as she
retreated to her den near the kitchen.
Pays well! It's pious pleasure to
serve Luke. I wonder what villainy
he is about now. He's got the true
ma aster and mistress CT the house
locked up! Ho! Luke Hammond.
you're a fine bird. But you pay In gold
good red and yellow gold"
Lifting loose brick from the hearth
she raised from hole beneath a small
sack of coins. which she united and
emptied upon her bed.
Good brides" said she. fondling the
coins tenderly. "are you well? Here's
another yellow lark to nestle with ye.
Make him ut home. brides. You are
the only children I have now. Don't
6y away! don't"
She counted them score Of times.
and returning them to the sack placed
It under the brick.
Nobody win find you-nobody" she
said. rakinS ashes over the brick.
You're mine-you're my sons and
daughters, good brides"
A pair Of greedy. longing eyes were
watching her all the time through the
alley window. The eyes belonged to
Daniel. who had just returned from his
errand and had peered in by accident.
Daniel resolved to think about the
matter and FASTENED to the library.
where he found Hammond anxiously
awaiting him.
you have been long enough to 60
around the globe" said his master.
II had a time of finding him." said
Daniel. "Mr. James Greene was not at
his shop. but over in Brooklyn. seeing
about putting up house. But l found
him."
what did he sayw asked Hammond.
ale read the note. put 1t in his pocket
very keerfully, and looked at me sharp
as a new cold cut chisel." said Daniel.
well. what them"
"He took the sachel. peeped into It
and smiled" said Daniel. Then he
wrote on a bit of paper, gave it to me
to give to Miss Elsin. and then gave
nne dollar"
Hes very generous" said Ham
mond, with a sneer. Here's another
dollar. SO give me the bit Of pape:."
Daniel produced a small note. neatly
folded. and gave it to Hammond, who
opened 1t and read. written in pencil:
Expect me. j.. .G.r
Wen expect him." muttered Ham.
mond. "Now. Daniel, 60 relieve Ste
phen. Stay; any shipping intelilgence?"
"Yes. sir" said Daniel. Bark Clean.
er coming up the bay"
"Good.' almost shouted Hammond.
Daniel. there's another dollar for your
news"
Daniel grinned. secured the money In
bis vest and bowed himself out.
ITO be served well. pay WELL" said
Hammond. when alone. I've had VII.
lains about me all my life. and they
have been true to me always. because
I have paid well and promptly. That
fellow. Daniel. knows can hang him"
and he might have added truthfully.
''and I know he might oblige me in the
same manner" But the reflection was
very unpleasant and he thought OF
something else. He thought Of his son
Charles.
To be continued.