Daily camera., 1897-07-17
CHAPTER VI.

Late in the night Mrs. Roundtree was
awakened by light touch on her
brow.
1T 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
>evcning. If you will forgive me 1 can
60 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 stiffiy and
was silent for a moment. The room was
family lighted by the moonbeams; but
Mrs. Roundtree could not see her face.
"No, have not been OUT she said
hesitatingly at first, and then, spea!.-
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 nave you been up, dear?"
Because l 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 wou1 i 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 hell be easily caught
Mrs. EouEdtree sat up in bed and
put her ann 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 ill IL has unnerved you"
The girl coldly drew herself from her
mothers embrace and stood away from
her.
Il was never calmer - absolutely
never calmer--in my life," she said,
quickly. She stared at her mother for
a 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 it l am serious. ! viii not be ac-
cused of being agitated when | 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, 81 am not
excited; but you are, for you are quiyer-
ing all over. Lie down and go to sleep
again. l 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 fxedly at him. Lillian did
not seem to have noticed the mans en-
trance, nor did she 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 behind 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, "is it polite
to look over mammals letters?"
ITO be Continued.1