Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-08-26
CHAPTER VI.


sleep for-for my hasty words this
evening. II you will forgive me ! can
go back to bed and sleep"
Mrs. Roundtree drew her face down
and kissed it.
"There is nothing to forgive, dar-
ling" she answered. But why have
You got on that heavy wrap, and-why,
declare, it's damp! Have you-surely
you have not been out again?"
The girl drew herself up stifily and
was silent for a moment. The room was
family lighted by the moonbeams; but
Mrs. Roundtree could not see her face.
mo, ! have not been out" she said
hesitatingly at first, and then, speak
ing more rapidly, "but | have been sit
ting ut the open window, and the dew
may have fallen on me from the
vines"
"But why have you been up, dear2"
because | could not sleep and did
not want to disturb Fred by my rest
lessness. And-lnd then, mother, to
tell the truth, ! was not certain that
the man | saw might not come back
again. Now, don't be frightened, but
am pretty sure that it was the muir
derer, and that he has designs against
lis. 1t would be the most natural thing
in the world. Fathers offer OF big
reward Is like an open challenge to him.
The man who wrote those notes and did
that deed is deep and cunning, and |
don't believe he'll be easily caught"
Mrs. Roundtree sat up in bed and
put her arm around her daughter.
oh dear, you don't know how miser-
able your talk makes me, You speak
and act so queerly! Go back TO bed and
try to sleep. You have thought of all
this till it has unnered you"
The girl coldly drew herself from her
mothers embrace and stood away from
her.
u was never calmer absolutely
never calmer--ln my life," she said,
quickly. She stared at her mother for
u moment; then she stepped towards
her with an arm outstretched. "You
know when the pulse OF anyone Is ex-
cited. Feel mine. No, you have got to
do II am serious. | will not be ac-
cused of being agltated when am us
calm US | can be. Feed it, say."
Mrs. Roupdtree was obliged to take
her wrist and press her trembling fin
gers on the veins.
"You see" the girl went on, II am not
excited; but you are. for you are CULVER
ing all over. Lie down and go to sleep
ugain. am sorry walked YOU" And
she turned and went out of the room.
The next morning, while the family
were at breakfast, James, the butler,
brought folded paper to the mayor.
He said he had found it among the
rose bushes near the gate. 1t was
typewriter, and addressed to mayor
Roundtree." As he opened it Mrs.
Roundtree turned pale and Fred Wal
ters stared iixedly at him. Lillian did
not seem to have noticed the mans en-
trance, nor did sine seem to hear her
mother say; What is it, dear?' as
she leaned towards her husband. The
mayor finished the note and mutely |
handed it to his wife. Fred Walters
got up and stood behiad Mrs. Round
trees chair, reading the note over her
shoulder.
Bring me hot roll, Jane" said Mrs.
Walters to the girl who was waiting
at the table. Then she seemed to notice
that Fred had moved from her side.
why, Fred" she said, sis it polite
to look over mammals letters?'
A look of deep concern was on Wal
ters' face. lie came back to his chair
without replying. The mayor took
the sheet Of paper, put it into his
pocket, and awkwardly resumed his
breakfast
Something I've no hand in, that's
plain" said Lillian. well, | don't care,
you've always tried to make baby
Of me- Then her color rose sudden
ly as she added; But | know what 1t
is as well as you do. Its communica-
ton from the man who was prowling
round the house last night. wish
| had shot him."
A deep silence followed her remark.
Fred Walters looked at her with
panied, puzzled expression, and as he
saw that she was folding her napkin
to leaving, he put out his
hand to detain her, but she pushed II
away impatiently. Keep the matter
to yourselves" she said, angrily. "You
all have so much more intelligence than
| have"
After she had left the room no one
spoke for several minutes. The mavor
took the note from his pocket and 81
lently reread II. 1t was as follows:
Dear Sir:
Make your reward $4,000 and even then
you would never capture me. That was a
rash thing for you to do. Look to the safe.
ty Of your family. You'll never know the
It will happen. Your case shall
receive my earliest consideration.
''ONE WHO KNOWS HIS BUSINESS"
what are you going to do9" Mra