Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-05-25
say such things2 have never heard

say such things7 1 have never heard
you talk so peculiarly"
Everything is peculiar to mamma"
the girl coldly laughed, rs she turned
into the drawiIg-room. The next mo-
ment they heard her playing on her
violin. 1t was II strange. weird mir, and
she played it with skill and power. The
others listened silently for few mo-
ments; then Mrs. Rounttree said to the
mayor:
I'VE really must not talk about that
affair before her; her mind las been
dwelling on it all day. She has been
to me three times to say that it would
be quite natural for such criminal to
desire to lie revengcd on you for Of
fering the reward. She tries to hide her
interest in the subject. but il shows it.
self every minute. She was 20 eager
to hear the news that she went down
to the gate to meet the newsboy with
the afternoon paper. and had to speak
to her twice to get her attention after
she had read the account of the crime.
Listen to her music! Can't you detect
her nervousness in her playing? She
doesn't play that way usually. Hush!
she has stopped"
ut is tea-time," said Lillian, coming
to the door. why don't you come in 2"
With solicitous expression on his
face, Fred Walters rose, and, putting
his arm around her slender waist, led
her before the others into the dining
room. She was tall and graceful and
quite pretty. Her eyes were large and
hazel, her hair light brown and album
dant. Her feet were small and we'll
shaped, her hands long, tapering and
strengthening.
The family talked Of other things
than the murder during the meal, but
Lillian took no part in what was said.
She ate slowly and daintily and seemed
thoughtful. After tea. Marion, his
father and mother and Fred Walters
had game of whist in the drawing
room. Lillian had never liked the game.
She improviscd some soft airs on the
piano, and then rose and went out on
the veranda. Through the open win
dow her mother could see her chair
rocking back and forth. Later Mrs.
Roundtree became interested in the
game, and did not think of her daugh-
ter for half an hour. When the game
was finished, she looked towards Lilian's
chair. 1t was vacant.
why, where is Lillian ?" the mother
asked, excitedly. "She was on the
veranda just now" Mrs. Roundtree
called the girls name aloud. but there
was no reply.
They all rose hurrietlly and went to
the door, vaguely alarmed.
Lillian! Lilian!" Mrs. Roundtrec
called from the veranda.
Here am, mother"
The reply came from down the walk
among the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
II am coming; don't be frightened"
"Why, my child, how can you be 30
imprudent?" cried Mrs. Roundtree, as
the girl came into the light Of the gag
in the hall. Lillian was trying to con-
ceal something under the light shawl
she wore, and walked rather awkwardly
as she came up the steps. AS her hus-
band approached her, she retreated into
the shadow of the wall near the door.
Then suddenly she broke into a low,
mechanical laugh.
1.-THE truth is" she said, seeing that
the others were waiting for an explana-
ton of her actions, II came near hay-
ing an adventure. saw man climb
over the fence down by the rose
bushes. I knew he had no business
there, and"
"You went down there?" her mother
gasped.
The girl laughed coldly and drew a
revolver from beneath her shawl. Il
ran up and got Fred's revolver. Iwas
not afraid. / knew-I don't know how
j knew 1t, but was sure he was not
armed, and that if could catch him
could brighten him into submission"
She swung the revolver to and fro skill
fully in her strong fingers. but he
got away. lie sprang over the fence
and ran as soon rs he saw me. l would
have fred at him, but knew he was
beyond range, and that the report would
brighten you out of your Wits"
The group stood motionless and silent
for moment. Then Fred Walters
drew long breath, us he stepped to-
wards his wife with extended hand.
Give it to me-" he said, in strange,
imperative tone.
With sudden look of defiance, she
held the revolver behind her, and as
he drew nearer she threw it over the
balustrade into the flower-bcds.
II did not mean to do that" she cried,
impulsively, then she was doggedly
silent.
Fred Walters went down the steps,
picked up the revolver, and came back
examining it in the light
Its loaded" he said under his breath
to the mayor.
"Of course it's loaded" the girl
blurted out. DO you think Id go down
there to meet "a red-handed muir
dcrer with an unloaded revolver?''
| Then. with dcep flush on her 1nce. she
passed through the light ut the door
and resumed her seat in the rocking
chair before the window.
my darling" began Mrs. Round
tree, finding her voice at last, and I'D
vancing towards her.
Don't call me pet names!" broke in
the young wife. Women ore such
weak beings that the moment one OF
us does sensible thing she is reproved.
! am not afraid-really afraid-of any
creature that ever walked on the earth.
I only did what Fred OF papa would
have done. Why, am better shot
than Fred, and he knows it. Let's tall
of something else"
Without another word the mayor ant
| his wife and son left Erred Matters Will +