Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-05-28
CHAPTER vi.

AdeS la euC uISul ALL .. aouuulTec WAS
awakened by light touch on her
brow.
ut is 1, mamma; don't be fright
cned." And Lillian sat down on the side
of the bed. II have not been able to
sleep for-for my hasty words this
evening. If you will forgive me l can
go back to bed and Sleep"
Mrs. Roundtrce drew her face down
and kissed it.
"rhere 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 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 could not sleep and did
not want to disturb Fred by my rest
lessness. And-and then, mother, to
tell the truth, was not certain that
the man l 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
us. 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 l
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 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 at her mother for
moment; then she stepped towards
her with an arm outstrctched. "You
know when the pulse of anyone is ex-
cited. Feel mine. No, you have got to
do it am serious. l will not be ac-
cused of being agitatcd when 1 am as
calm as can be. Feel it, say!"
Mrs. Roundtree 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
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
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 fixedly 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, dcar?' as
she leaned towards her husband The
mayor finished the note and mutely
handed it to his wife. Fred Walters
got up and stood behind Mrs. Round
trees chair, reading the note over hel
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, 'is it polite
to look over mammals letters?"
A look of deep concern was OH Wal.
ters' face. He came back TO his chair
without replying. The mayor tool;
tile 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 il
is as well as you do. 1t is conmun ga.
ton from the man who was prow!na
round the house last night. | wish
l 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
preparatory to leaving, he put out hi:
hand to detain her, but she pushed i
away impatiently. keep the matter
to yourselves" she said, angrily. "Yor
all have SO much more intelligence thai
have"
After she had left the room no on,
spoke for several minutes. The mayor
took the note from his pocket and 81
lently reread it. 1t was as follows:
Dear Sir:
Make your reward 100000. and even thel
| you would never capture me. That was
ra sh thing for you to do. Look to the safe
ty of your family. You'll never know tn
moment 1t will happen. Your case shall
receive my earliest consideration.
ZONE WHO KNOWS HIS BUSINESS"
"What are you going to do?" Mrs
Roundtree faltered, rising with her hus
band.
"Take it to the police and that New
York detective" he answered. 1T
all I can do, and that's my duty"
Il would not go out SO early" sal
Mrs. Roundtree. do you think it Wi
b safe to leave lis alone?"
Erred can stay; shall not let thi
make any difference in my usual habits
Besides, think it is only an idl
| threat"
Eyes, will stay" Walters agreed
/ 81 don't like To laaun linn on.,,un "