Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1897-11-09
From Clue to Climax.
BY WILL n. MARBEN.
copyright 1896. by J. 3. Lippincott Col
CHAPTER V.-CoNTINUED.

IL was strange. wierd air, that Lillian
played, and she played it with skill and
power. The others listened silently for
a few moments; 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 it 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-time," said Lillian, coming
to the door. ''Why don't you come in %
With a solicitous expression on his
face, Fred Walters rose, and, putting
lsis 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 hair light brown and abun-
dant. Her feet were small and we'll
shaped, her hands long, tapering and
Strengthening.
The family talked of other things
THAN ho n
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 4 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 Lilian's
chair. It was vacant.
"Why, where is Lilian?" the mother
asked, excitedly. ''She was on thu
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.
il. Here am, mother"
The reply came from down the walk
among the Observation-Disclosures
Il am coming; don't be frightened
'Why, my child, how can you be Sc
SnIprudent?" cried Mrs. Roundtree, as
the girl came into the light Of the gas
in the hall. Lillian was trying to con
ceal something under the light shawl
she wore, and walked rather awkwardly
as she came up the. steps. AS her hus'
hand approached her, she retreated into
the shadow of the wall near the door
Then suddenly she broke into a low
mechanical laugh. 2,
The truth isl she said, seeing thai
the others were waiting for an explana
ton of her actions, Il came near hav
ing an adventure. saw a man climl
over the fence down by the rose
bushes. knew he had no bushes:
there, and, -.....- .--,.....
You went down there?" her mother
gasped. - 49, + s/@<'
The girl laughed coldly and drew {:
revolver from beneath her shawl. 81
ran up and got Fred's revolver. I was
not afraid. + knew don't know how
J. knew it, but was: sure he was MOI
armed, and that If could catch hin
I could frighten him into submission
She swung thesrevolver to and fro skill
fully in her strong fingers. ''But h,
got away. He sprang over the fenc,
and ran as soon as he saw me. Iwoul(
have fired at him, but knew be wa!
beyond range, and that the report would
/ brighten you out of your wits" s*} 7
81 The group stood motionless and, silen?
for = moment. Then Fred Walter,
drew a long breath, as he stepped to
wards his wife with extended hand,
II. Give it to me- = he said, III "a strange
imperative tone 49, 1. 81.
With q sudden look of defiance, Oh,
held the revolver behind her, and 4