Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-08-19

insane 10 escape punishment. How
much more effective would it have beel
If he had Systematically pretended II
be insane month or so before he com
mitted the deed!--I mean If he hat
done little things which would scarce
ly cause remark at the time, but which
coupled with the crime afterwards
would have pointed conclusively to in
sanity. If wanted to drown myself il
the river, and did not want anyone tt
think it was done Intentionally,
would first do great many things tt
make it look as If had never dreamed
of such thing. would make engage
ments, leave things unfinished, as il
intended to return to them the next
moment, and"
"Oh, hush, my chld!" interrupted
Mrs. Roundtree. "What can make yor
say such things? have never heard
you talk so peculiarly
Everything is peculiar to mamma,
the girl coldly laughed, as she turned
into the drawrg-room. The next mo-
ment they heard her playing on her
violin. 1t was strange. weird air, and
she played it with skill and power. The
Others listened silently for few mo-
ments; then Mrs. Roundtree said to the
mayor:
I'VE 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 a criminal to
desire to be revenged on you for Of
fering the reward. She tries to hide her
interest in the subject, but ii 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 music! Can't you detect
her nervousness in her playing? She
doesn't play that way usually. Hush!
she has stopped!'
ut is tea-tme," said Lillian, coming
to the door. "Why don't you come in ?"
With 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 hnir light brown and abun-
dant. Her feet were small and well
shaped, her hands long, tapering and
strengthening.
The family talked Of other things
than the murder during the meal, but
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 n 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 win
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 Llian's
chair, 1t was vacant.
why, where is Lllan?" 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. Roundtrec
called from the veranda.
"llcre am. mother"
The reply came from down the walk
among the boXwood-and-rosc-b bushes.
81 am coming; don't he frightened"
"Why, my child, how can you be so
imprudent" cried Mrs, koundtree, as
the girl came into the light of the gag
in the hall. Lillian was trying to con
ceal something under the light shawl
she wore, and walkcd rather awkwardlv
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 a low,
mechanical laugh.
THE truth is" she said, seeing that
the Others were waiting for an explana-
ton of her actions, II came near nav
ing an adventure. saw man climb
over the fence down by the rose
bushes, | knew he had no business
there, and"
"You went down there?" her mother
gasped.
The girl laughed coldly and drew a
revolver from beneath her shawl. IL
ran up and got Fred's revolver was
not afraid. knew don't know how
] knew 1t, but was sure he was not
armed, and that II could catch him
| could Brighten him into submission
She swung the revolver TO and fro skill.
fully in her strong fingers. But he
got away. lie sprang over the fence
and ran as soon as he saw me. lwouid
have fired at him, but knew he was
beyond range, and that the report would
frighten you out of your wits"
The group stood motionless and silent
for a moment. Then Fred Walters