Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1897-11-09
CHAPTER vi.

Late in the night Mrs. Roundtree was
awakened by light touch on her
brow.
1T is I, mamma; don't lie 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"
Mrs. Roundtree drew her face down
and kissed it.
''There is nothing to forgive, dar-
ling" she answered. "But why have
Won got on that heavy wrap, and--why,
declare, it's damp! Have surely
you have not been out again,?''
The girl drew herself up stiffly and
was silent for a moment. The room was
family lighted by the moonbeams; but
Mrs. Roundtree could not see her face.
mo, I have not been out" she said
hesitatingly at first, and then, speak
ing more rapidly, ''but I 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 I could not sleep and did
not want to disturb Fred by my rest
lessness. And-and then, mother, to
tell the truth, I was not certain that
the man I saw might not come back
again. Now, don't be frightened, but
1 am pretty sure that it was the muir
derer, and that he has designs against
us. It 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 I
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
n 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. l will not be ac-
cused of being agitated when am as
calm as can be. Feel it, I 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 ann sorry I walked you." And
she turned and went out of the room.
The next morning, while the family
were at breakfast, James, the butler,
brought a 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 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. ''.+'- I 49, t}ff5S'
Bring me hot roll, Jane = said Mrs.
Walters to the girl who was waiting
at the table. Then she seemed tosnOtice
that Fred had moved from her side,
'.Why, Fred!" she said, sis it polite
to look over mammals letters?'' &
l., 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 his
pocket, and awl1wardly resumed his
breakfast. II g...5 .s.= .5SS
Something I've no hand in, that's
plain !" said Lillian. 3 well, Idon' care,
you've always tried IS nnaks, q baby
of me-. Then her color rose sud den.
II as she added !: But I know What i
lis as well as you do. It is acohnmunica'