The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-10-02
CHAPTER vi.

CHAPTER VI.
Late in the night Mrs. Roundtree was
awakened by light touch on her
brow.
ut is I, mamma; don't be fright
ened." And Lillian sat down on the side
of the bed. 81 have not been able To
sleep for-for my hasty words this
evening. II you will forgive me can
90 back TO bed and sleep"
Mrs. Roundtree drew her face down
and kissed il.
There Is nothing 20 forgive, dar~
ling" she answered. "But why have
you got on that heavy wrap, and-why,
/ declare, it's dampl Have you-surely
you have not been out again2"
The girl drew herself up stiffiy and
was silent for 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 at the open window, and the dew
may have fallen on me from the
vines"
"But why have you been up, dear?"
Because I could not sleep and did
not want TO disturb Fred by my rest
lessness. And-and then, mother, TO
tell the truth, was rot certain that
the man I saw might not come back
again. Now, don't be frightened, but
am pretty sure that IL was the muir
derer, and that he has designs against
us. IL would be the most natural thing
in the world. Fathers offer OF a 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. Roundtrec 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 IL has unnerved YOU"
The girl coldly drew herself from her
mothers embrace and stood away from
her.
II was never calmer absolutely
never calmer-in my life," she said,
quickly. She stared Mt her mother for
n moment; then she stepped towards
her with an arm outstretched. "You
know when the pulse Of anyone Is ex-
cited. Feel mine. 70, you have got TO
do IL / am serious. / will not be &C
cused OF being agitated when l am as
calm as / can be. Feel IL, sayl"
Mrs. Roundtree was obliged TO take
her wrist and press her trembling fin
gers on the veins.
"You see" the girl went on, 81 am not
excited; but you are, Tor you are culver
ing all over. Lie down and go TO sleep
again. / 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
lie said he had found IL among the
rose bushes near the gate. IL was
typewritten, and addressed TO mayor
Roundtree." AS he opened IL Mrs
Roundtree turned pale and Fred Wal
tiers stared fixedly at HIM. Lilian die
not seem 20 have noticed the mans en-
trance, nor did sine seem 10 hear heI
mother say: "what Is IL, dearP" n'
she leaned towards her husband. The
mayor finished the note and mutely
handed II TO his wife. Fred Walters
cot up and stood behind Mrs. Round
trees chair, reading the note over he's
shoulder.
"Bring me hot roll, Jane, said Mrs
Walters 10 the girl who was waiting
at the table. Then she seemed 10 notic'
that Fred had moved from her side
"Why, Fred!" she said, ''is IL polit'
10 look over mammals letfers2"
A look of deep concern was on Wal
tera' face. He calne back TO his chat
without replying. The mayor tool
the sheet OF paper, put IL into hi
pocket, and awkwardly resumed hi
|, breakfast.
"Something I've no hand in, that
plain,- said Lillian. well. don't care
you've always tried 20 make n tab
OF me-" Then her color rose sudden
ly as she added; but I know what
. ! IL as we'll as you do. It'll communt'n