Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1897-11-16
Roundtree heard the report of a revolve


outside. She sprang up and ran to a
window. Not seeing her daughter on
the veranda. she screamed, and almost
tainted with fright. She staggered
through the hall and reached the front
door. Then. looking in the direction of
the gate, she saw Mrs. Walters emerge
from the rose-bushes and come slowly
towards her.
!! Don't be frightened, mamma" she
cried, seeing her mother. He did not
touch me-" In moment Mrs. Round
tree was by her side, but so excited that
she could not speak. Il really did have y
narrow escape, though, - continued Mrs.
Walters. '@You see now what missed
by not carrying the revolver. I think
could have hit him before he got away
"Oh, what was it? What do YOU
mean?' gasped Mrs. Roundtree, throw
ing her arms about her daughter.
Mrs. Walters twisted herself from
the embrace and pointed to round hole
in the sleeve of her wrapper. ':See
that?' she said, with cold, calm smile.
I've been shot-at. AS was gathering
these roses'' (she still held them in her
handy Il heard report aud felt some
thing touch my sleeve lightly. At the
corner of the lawn, just this side of the
trees, I saw man and puff of smoke.
He was about to shoot again, but, see
ing me looking, he ran into the woods.
I suppose he is out of reach by this
time.''
Come into the house. quick" cried
Mrs. Roundtree, drawing her along fore
IDLY. He will shoot us!''
Mrs. Walters impatiently drew her
self from her mothers arms.
Il shan't be coward, if you are" she
said, sharply. 'Don't you know if you
run from people of that kind they will
be all the more apt to pursue you? Be-
sides, he is gone. Do you suppose he
would wait to be arrested after firing
revolver here in open daylight?''
They had reached the steps of the
veranda, and Mrs. Eoundtree drew her
into the house. James and Jane were
standing, wide-eyed and frightened, in
the hail.
''Close the door, quick, james," Mrs.
Roundtrce screamed, following her
daughter into the library.
Leave it open. Do you want to
smother us?" asked Mrs. Walters, pout-
ingly. Mother, am ashamed of you.
There is not a particle of danger, and l
am no baby
James, telephone to my husband
and Mr.. Walters, quick" Mrs. Round
tree ordered.
James went to the telephone and rang.
Mrs. Walters followed him. ''What do
you want him to say?" she asked her
mother. He'll brighten them to
death. I'd better do thames, VIVA:
is the matter with you? Can't you
stand still? Nobody will hurt you"
She took the receiver from him and
placed it to her ear. give me five
sixty-seven. What? Yes, five sixty
seven - Mayor Roundtree's Office"
There was silence for moment. Mrs.
Roundtree sat on a sofa. staring at her,
a strange question in her eyes.
us that you, papa?'' said Mrs. Wal
tiers il the telephone. Yes, you are
righ.; it is Lillian. Don't you know nv
voice? What is it? Well, the truth is,
there isn't 4 thing the matter; we are
all right; but mamma is nervous and
frightened, and perhaps you or Fred
ought to come up
Mrs. Roundtree ran to her. aren't
you going to tell him what has hap
pened? How can he tell the police if
you don't? Give it to me-"
Mamma, do be reasonable" replied
Mrs. Walters, holding the receiver out
of her mothers reach. well, let NE
alone; I'll tell him. Yes, papa, that
was mamma talking. was on the lawn
just now, and man shot at me; but he
did not touch me, and ran away. Nam
ma thinks you ought to notify the po-
lice
Fred is coming at once" the mayor
telephoned. Stay indoors. I shall
notify the police, and come as quickly as
l 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
anxiously towards the door. James
took position on the veranda, and the
other servants stood e3pectantly in the
hail.
In Is minutes cab dashed I'D the
drive, and Fred Walters alighted, ran
into the library, and took his wife in
his arms.
''Oh, my darling, are you hurt?'' he
asked, beside himself with excitement.
Fred, don't be silly she said, cold
" pushing him from her. Il tele-
phoned that was unharmed."
'*Look at her sleeve" walled Mrs.
Roundtree, almost in tears. ''The bu!-
let passed within an inch of her arm.
Oh, don't know what to do! It is aw-
ful!"
Fred stopped to examine the hole in
the sleeve.
II was standing this way" Mrs Wal
tiers explained, with sudden animation,
"and when I heard the report"
''Your father is coming" interrupted
Mrs. Roundtree, as the sound of wheels
was heard, and they all went to q win