The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1897-11-09
From Clue to Climax.
BY WELL N. HARDEN.
copyright 1896. by J. B. Lippincott Col
CHAPTER V.-CoNTNUED.

1t was a strange, wierd air, that Lillian
played, and she played it with skill and
power. The others listened silently for
a few moments; then Mrs. Roundtree
said to the mayor:
- We really must not talk about that
affair before her; her mind has 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 be revenged on you for Of
fering the reward. She tries to hide her
interest in the subject, but it shows it.
self every minute. She was so 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 musici Can't you detect
her nervousness in her playing? She
doesn't play that way usually. Hush!
she has stopped"
''It is tea-time," said Lillian, coming
to the door. ''Why don't you come in %
With a 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 well
shaped, her hands long, tapering and
Strengthening.
The family talked of other things
h. j.. i L
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 improvised some soft airs on the
piano, and then rose and went out on
the veranda. Through the open Will
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 Lilian?" 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 hurriedly and went to
the door, vaguely alarmed.
Lillian! Lilian!" Mrs. Roundtree
called from the veranda.
"'Here I am, mother
The reply came from down the walk
among the northumberland
81 am coming; don't be frightened"
''Why, my child, how can you be so
imprudent?" cried Mrs. Roundtree, as
the girl came into the light of the gas
in the hall. Lillian was trying to con-
-ceal something under the light shawl
she wore, and walked rather awIwardly'
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 low,
mechanical laugh.
''The truth is" she said, seeing that
the others were waiting for an eXplana-
ton of her actions, Il came near hav-
ing an adventure. [ saw Il man climb
over the fence down by the rose
bushes. I knew he had no business
there, and"
''You went down Ihere?'' her mother
:gasped.
The girl laughed coldly and drew d
revolver from beneath her shawl. Il
ran up and got Fred's revolver. was
not afraid. L knew don't know how
j knew it, but l was sure he was not
armed, and that if l could catch him
l could brighten him into submission"
She swung the revolver to and fro skill
fully in her strong fingers. "Rut he
got away. He sprang over the fence
and ran as soon as he saw me. would
have fired at him, but 1 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, as he stepped to-
wards his wife with extended hand.
Give it to me-" he said. in strange,
imperative tone.
With a sudden look of defiance, she
held tia revolver behind her, and as