Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1905-08-05
By Prof. VIM. Henry Peck,
CHAPTER IN.
Continued.

'em-long time ago. You needn't think
20 coax me. Miss. with nice Names
said Fan. shaking her head brislSly.
"An the days 1 ha' been I'm this house.
aud that's nigh on year, you've never
so much MS looked at me. oh. no, my
name Is Fan. and Mr.. Hammond IS my
master"
but how cruel I'm you and him TO /
keep me here. and my poor father /
too" said Kate
That's none of my business. Miss. /
Mr.. Hammond pays me- said Fan.
Have you no pity, no heart, no
soulf" cried Kate
..Not a blt-Dot n mite They robbed
me OF all the heart 1 ever had.
haven't got anything now bu+ yearn-
FMS. FOR such stuff as this said Fan.
placing the gold coin that Luke had
given her upon the floor.
Who robbed you. FannieT asked
Kate
SAY. Miss. DO YOU want 10 talk 20
me-" asked Fan. quickly. when !
first came into this room You wouldn't
look at mo. even. Now. all at once.
Won want to talk. OH no, my master
can get hold OF them-and pay myself
for keeping my own
.Tbo old wretch" thought Kate.
cloves nothing but gold, and I have
very little Co give her. But 1 must
make q beginning Here. Fannie She
said aloud and showing a gold dollar.
Of which She had several i'm her purse.
"you see this:
old Fans eyes glittercd as she fixed
her greedy gaze upon the little coin.
Tell me who robbed you OF your
heart. and you shall have this said
kate.
Even Luke Hammond pays me in
advance ola Fan trust. nobody
said Faa.
"Take it." SAID Kate. ana the coin
spun in the air. old Fan caught it as .
starving dog catches a morscl OF mca
In hcr mouth.
Il learned the trick" said Fan
Nveichrc thc coin ON hcr finger nail
.'to please Snowman / travelled witt
once. some people used to- toss pen
mics 90 mc. but I didn't spit em ou
because they We're coppery -pennic
grow into dollars. Now. I'll tel yo
who stole my heart ont of me. on
made nae hate everybody. 1t was m
Children
Your children. Fannie. 1 neve
knew you had amy children. Nher
are they" said Kate.
The old woman looked keenly at th
lovely Girl. Hates tone of gcnuin
sympathy had astonished her.
Yes said Fan. FL had a son ana
daughter once. The SON robbed u
AMI ran away WHOM Dee was INVENT
years old - thirty years ago. ri
daughter went with him. too-sle w.
sixteen then. That didn't make IA
bad Miss"
What did. Fanniet' asked Kate.
"The desertion OF the children kilC
their fatheg-5uled him when hc hear
IL as sudden as if bayonet al spl
his heart wide open. Miss Els II. i
was my husband. After he d.ed u
world cot black as ink 10 me; / we
crazy: / amt quite straight I'm my he;
now. Straight enough though. not
Jet YOU get away from Mr.. Hammoi
50 long rs he pays me-" said she. wi
4 sharp glance. Il love 10 talk-n
body tallls to me. though. After n
husband died and went crazy. VIII
do you think my children dids''
Il hope they returned. were va
sorry, and took good care OF you. Ia
ME" said Kate. who did not dcsr;
OF gaining the good Will OF the La
tdiotic creature.
Would you have done that. Miss
asked Fan.
Il would never desert my parent
said Kate.
You would! You are all alik
sons and dauGhters-all of Y,
screamed old Fan. flying into a te
pest OF rage and springing up. "Y
would have done what mine did
me in q madhonSe-sell all l had a
run of again. Fiends, II could Il
those children I'd eat 'em up-eat =
up rawi L wonder il you amt on
She hObbled nearer 20 Kate and peer
closely into her face
Horrors thought Kate. This
mad woman. and l am alone W
her. What shall | dOs"
Il think You are One-I think YOU
the girl" said Fan. stu drawing M
with her distorted. rat-like eyes blaz
from horTld visaSe. scanned 4
scared with the ravages of the SIN
pox. My girl was as pretty as you
Her lean, bony fingers touched p
Hates trembling hand.
"And her hands were soft. like tn
said Fan. Il wish 1 had teeth no,
you must be my girl. Nellie Dunn"