The Irish standard., 1897-05-22

Lillian was saying. "would you mind
keeping yours to yourself?" ~f'"
Fred looked in with flushed face.
'We are going to bed" he said. 'She
will be all right in the morning. had
no business to teach her to shoot"
CHAPTER vi.
Late in the night Mrs. Roundtreewas
awakened by q light touch on her
brow.
1T is I, mamma; don't be fright
;ened." 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 I can
go back to bed and Sleep" So
Mrs. Roundtree drew her face down
and kissed it: '5*:-@ S~> ~"
" "There is nothing to forgive, da1-
ling she answered. "But why have
you got on that heavy wrap, and-why,
i declare, it's damp! Have you-surely
you have not been out again?"
The girl drew herself up stifay 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
fhesitatingly at first, and then, speak
ing more rapidly, 'but have been sit
ting at the open window, and the dew
may have fallen on ma from the
vines"
"But why have you been up, dear??"
because I could not sleep and did
not want to disturb Fred by my rest
;]essness. And-fsa then, mother, to
tell the truth, nacwas not certain that
the man saMfmight not come back
again.. Now, don't be frightened, but
u am pretty sure that it was the muir
!derer, and tl1atsheshas designs against
JUS. 1t would basthamost natural thing
in the world. .a1Ihther's offer of big
reward is like anbopen challenge to him.
The man who ,ntpte3 those notes and did
that deed is dep and cunning, and I
don't believe he'll be easily caught
II Mrs.: Roundtsae hsat up;.in bed and
put her srm asound her daughter.
sob, dear, youf1onit know how smiser-
able your TALK makes me. You speak
and act SO queeaayinGo back to bed and
try to sleep. Mu have thought Of all
this till it HAS, you.'':.s ee-s>t~'
The girl colHyslrew herself from her
mothers embrace and stood away from
her. go" ~ - :@#a = ';1'
!. IT was never tcalmer - absolutely
never calmer-in my life" she said,
quickly. She stared at her mother for
q 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 I am serious. will not be ac-
cused OF being agitated when am a.
calm az I 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. I 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. It was
typewriter, and addressed to Mayor
Roundtree." As he opened it Mrs.
Roundtree turned pale and Fred Wal
tiers stared fixedly ut him. Lillian: did
hot seem to have noticed the mans en-
trance, nor did she seem to hear her
mother say: "What is it, dear?' as
ishe 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 mo 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, sis it polite
TO look over mammals letters?" ~ .
A look of deep concern was on Wal
ters' face. He came back to his chair
without replying. The mayor took
the sheet Of paper, put it into hls
pocket, and awkwardly resumed his
breakfast. -
'something I've no hand in, that's
plain" said LiliRn. .."Well, l don't care;
you've always Tried to make a baby
of me-" Then. her color rose sudden
" as she added. aKut know what it
Isl as we'll az youdo%s It is communion
ton from the Ptn Jwho was prowhng
round the hoPss list night wish
/ had shot him."~--
A deep stlenSt Allowed her remark.
Fred Walters fooled at her with .
panied, puzzled EXPRESSION, and as he
saw that she YSs:1 folding her napkin
preparatory to7leeafhg, he put out his
hand to detain her. but she pushed it
away impatien4y. :, Keep the matter
to yourselves,r she said. angrily. "You
all have 90 muclrnere intelligence than
have" lac oI @
After she had left tho room NO ono
spoke for several minutes. The mayor