Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-09-17
y Prof. VIM. Henry Peck,
0000000000000006
Author Of the "15s Stone. Cutter
8, Of Lisbon. Etc.

said:
Harriet Foss knows I am in New
York;!
"Great heavensv' cried Nancy, clasp
ing her hands. "Does she know that l
am here?"
"Not that you are here. "..said Marks,
lighting a cigar, "but that you are In
this city"
"She will find us? Oh, we are to fall
by her hand at last!' cried Nancy.
Hammond pulled bell cord violent.
Iy. Marks smoked on in silence until
Stephen appeared, rubbing his eyes ind
growing.
Better be turnkey in the Tombs than
here; for there they had res'lar hours
to wake n cove.'
stephen" said Hammond, "patrol
the front and rear yards carefully;
then turn loose the dogs
Daniel told me you were expecting
your son tonight, sir" said Stephen.
Right" said Hammond, "but the
gate will be locked and he can ring
the gate bell Then examine all the
fastenngs Of the windows all around
doors and ALL
"Sometnn' uncommon gay sprung o
leak" ruluipated the obedicpt StephcI
as lie departed. "The gov'ner seems ex
cited-but that's none Of my business
You seem very much afraid of a
woman" said Marks, when Stephep
had gone.
"A woman exclaimed Nancy. "a
devil John Marks. Now tell us how
she found out we were in New York"
First tell ME why you two fear hel
so much,' said Marks. "lf l am to be
your friend in this matter must know
what kind of ground stand on"
is it not enough for you to be pait
for your servlcesT' asked Hammond
NO" replied Marks, tossing his cigar
aside and assuming a determined looh
that sat well on his dark features
For me to be paid for my services by
strangers is all an honest man like me
can ask. But with woman who has
been my wife, and my former brother
tn-law, pay is not enough, my friends
Last night, Luke Hammond, you tooh
me by surprise. | did not expect tt
meet you here and your pistol was my
first hint Of who you were. Tonight
am prepared for war or peace" HI
laid pair Of pistols upon the table
and continued:
You two are carrying on some dev'
iltry in this house. | know 1t. l have
made inquiries about Luke Hammond
| want to see Luke Hammond's niece
+ Don't scOwl. l am not afraid of either
Of you. More than twenty-four years
have passed since We met and | want
that time filled up to my mind If you
want to know how my time has slipped
along, so to England, and you will
learn that John Marks was convicted
Of burglary he never committed, sen.
fenced to transportation to Australia
for twenty years-served his sentence,
and has picked up a scanty living ever
since, here and there"
"You shall know why We fear Har.
riet Foss." said Hammond. but as
regards all my life, | shall take time to
consider before tell you. You have,
you say, been making inquiries about
Luke Hammond. Does any one doubt
that am hep
"Not a SOUL and l am eager to learn
how you managed the deception said
Marks.
CAS- regards that, you shall learn
when we have so bound you to us that
we shall not fear your treachery," said
hammond.
"Treachery!' exclaimed John, with
bitter emphasis. ".John Marks was
never treacherous in all his life to you.
Can you say the same of your conduct
toward himY
II told you" said Luke, gravely.
when you were here last night to call
again. need you. But first let Nancy
say that to you which shall make you
one of us"
John Marks" said Nancy, you We're
once my husband. l thought l loved
you--"
THAT was mistake-go on"
"And you said you loved me-"
81 lied, l admit it. l never cared q
straw for YOU. wanted money. and
| you had it,"
Nancy Harker's eyes flashed, but she
went on:
"The name l bore, the name my
brother there bore before l became
your wife we have sunk forever. That
Is of no consequence"
"YOu simply disgraced it-that's ALL"
said Marks.
"Jf you interrupt in this manner the
conversation ends here. and since you
come prepared for peace or war, it shall
be war to the hiltw exclaimed Ham
mond Remember you are in my
house, and behave accordingly"
Every we'll, go on" said Marks, who
seemed fierce and bitter in the presence
Of Nancy.
She resumed.
! "You and my brother were bosom
! friends. You Were both wild and dissi.
/ pated, and the money supplied to you
| by indulgent parents was not enough
to suit you. Neither of you could wait
until nature should leave you the heirs
/ of your fathers wealth, for our fathers
were rich. Neither Of you were bad
i enough to take the life of father So
unable to wait. unwilling to slay, you
robbed your fathers" .