Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-06-01

did not touch me, and ran away. Mann
ma thinks you ought to notify the no.
lice"
Erred is coming at once" the mayor
telephoned. stay indoors. / shall
notify the police, and come as quickly as
can"
When Mrs. Roundtree had heard her
husbands message she drew her daugh-
ter down on the sofa beside her and sat
silently stroking her hand and looking
anNiously towards the door. James
took position on the veranda, and the
other servants stood expectantly in the
hall.
In Is minutes a cab dashed up the
drive, and Fred Walters alighted, ran
into the library, and took his wife i'll
his arms,
"Oh, my darling, are you hurt?" he
asked, beside himself with excitement.
Fred, don't be silly" she said, cold
ly pushing him from her. 81 tele-
phoned that was upharmed."
Look at her sleeve" walled Mrs.
Roundtree, almost in tears. "The bull
let passed within an inch of her arm.
Oh, don't know what to dol 1t is aw-
full"
Fired stopped to examine the hole in
the sleeve.
Il was standing this way" Mrs. Wal
tiers explained, with sudden animation,
land when I heard the report"
"feur father is coming" interrupted
Mrs. Roundtree, as the sound of wheels
was heard, and they all went to win
dow. 1t was the mayor, with Capt.
Welsh and Minard Hendricks, in cab.
II wonder if that detective hasn't a
high opinion of his ability" said Mrs.
Walters. "He looks as if he thought he
would get to the bottom of the whole
| mystery In very short time" She sat
down in rocking-chair, spread out her
skirts, and pulled at the big sleeves of
her wrapper. II suppose he will begin
TO catechise me. 1 am not presentable
| like this, but Tiff ran upstairs, to fix
up little, you would think-I suppose
you think l am an odd creature any
way"
No one answered her. The mayor
was entering, followed by the others.
He bent down and kissed his daughter,
and then said: my dear, this is Mr..
Hendricks. There is not second to
lose. He wants to ask you some ques-
tions."
Mrs. Walters bowed and smiled. 81
am ready, Mr.. Hendricks. I think you'll
find me calIner than any of the rest"
ut is usually the case" Hendricks
replied, with a smile, Then his smile
vanished, and he bent his piercing gray
eyes upon her so steadily that her own
wavered little, and she dropped her
hand to arrange her skirt ''You We're
on the lawn?" he said, CHANGING out at a
window, as if to relieve her embarrass.
/ ment.
4 Mrs. Walters instantly recovered her
self-possession and looked him coldly
in the eyes.
eyes, on the right of the walk, among
the rose bushes. I was gathering roses
The bullet passed through my sleeve
Seel it was near enough, wasn't it?"
quite, l should think. 1t must have
surprised you"
at did, of course" answered Mrs
Walters. holding her roses to her nose
II heard the report, and then felt some
thing like little, very little, tug al
my sleeve"
"You are sure about that?" asked
Hendricks, in an Indifferent tone "Yor
are sure that you heard the report be
fore you felt the ball touch you
sleeve?"
"Quite sure" said she; "but why
'He was not inside the fence?" wen
, on the detective, looking through the
window again.
"No; outside the fence. at the corne
of the lott
"Ah, yes, see," lie replied, in non
committal tone. "IIe must have beel
100 yards from you. Permit me, please
And, taking silver-mounted lens from
his pocket, he carefully examined tn
bullet-hole. For a moment no on,
spoke; then he said: 81 wonder if w
could find that little piece of lead
Would you mind coming with us an,
showing me exactly where you stood :?
mot at ALL" Mrs. Walters rose witt
gratifed smile.
Don't you think we are losing time
Mr.. Hendriclls?" asked Capt. Welsh, il
IN undertone. 81 am afraid" Blu
' ,,;,,ol,oJ ~