The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-10-02
From Clue to Climax.
BY WILL N. HARLEM.
IcOpyugh, 1896. BY J. B. LIppIucOu Col
CHAPTER v.-coNrrNuED.

II was strange, wierd air, that Lillian
played, and she played it with skill and
power. The others listened silently for
few moments; then Mrs. Roundtree
said to the mayor:
"We really must not talk about that
affair before her; her mind has been
dwelling on it all day. She has been
10 me three times to say that IL 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 IL 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 musicl Can't you detect
her nervousness in her playingP She
doesn't play that way usually. Hushl
she has stopped"
''It is tea-time," 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 hair light brown and album
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 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 yeranda. 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. 1t was vacant.
"Why, where is Jilian?" the mother
asked. excitedly. 'She was on the
yeranda Just now" Mrs. Roundtrce
called the girls name aloud, but there
was no reply.
They all rose hurriedly and went to
the door, vaguely alarmed
"Lilianl Lilianl" Mrs. Roundtrec
called from the veranda.
"Here / am, mother"
The reply came from down the walk
among the boxwood-and-rose-b
81 aIn coming; don't be frightened"
"Why, my child. how can you be SC
imprudent?" cried Mrs. Roundtree, as
the girl came into the light OF the gas
In the hall. Lillian was trying 10 con
ceal something under the light shaw
she wore, and walked rather awlSwnrdly
as she came up the steps. AS her hus
band approached her, phe retreated int
the shadow OF the will near the door
Then suddenly she broke into low
mechanical laugh.
"The truth is" she said, seeing tina
the others were waiting for an cxplana
ton OF her actions, II came near hay
ing an adventure. l saw n man climl
over the fence down by the rose
bushes. i knew he Ind no business
there, and"
"You went down thereY' her mothe
gasped.
The girl laughed coldly and drew
revolver from beneath her shawl. "
ran up and got Fred's revolver. Iva
not afraid. / lnow-I don't know HOY
knew IL, but was sure he was no
armed, and that IL / could catch hir
/ could brighten him into submission.
She swung the revolver TO and fro skill
fully In her strong fingers. but h
rot away. lie sprang over the fenc
and ran as soon as he saw me. woul
have fred at him, but ! knew he wa
beyond range, and that the report woul
brighten you out Of your wits"
The group stood motionless and silen
for n moment. Then Fred Walter
drew a long breath, as he stepped te
wards his wife with extended hand.
"Give IL 20 me-" he said, In a strang
imperative tone.
with a sudden look of defiance. sh
heId the revolver behind her, and