Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-06-01
CHAPTER VIII,

Capt. Welsh showed considerable ex-
element when he read the note of warn
ingwhich the mayor placed in his hands,
Mr.. Minard Hendricks was looking over a
bundle of New York papers which had
been sent to him, and did not look up
when the mayor entered the room,
Without word, Capt. Welsh held the
note before his eyes, and waited for him
to speak. After reading it, Hendricks
stroled his beard thoughtfully for a
moment, and then said:
II don't think you need have any fear
up at your place, Mr.. Roundtree, but I'M
der such circumstances women are
usually uneasy, SO should advise you,
Capt. Welsh, to have couple of police
men in citizen clothes hang about the
grounds for few days."
This was done for week, but, as
nothing occurred to indicate the pres
ence Of danger. the men were ordered
away. Everything went on smoothly
till the day following Col. Warrenton's
visit to WILDLY. Mayor Round
tree, accompanied by Fred Walters,
had gone downtown, leaving his wife
and Mrs. Walters alone with the serv-
ants. Mrs. Roundtree was in the sit
ting-room giving orders to the cook,
and Mrs. Walters had strolled down the
graveled walk among the rose-bushes.
The cook had just left her, when Mrs.
Roundtree heard the report of revolver
outside. She sprang up and ran to a
window. Not seeing her daughter on
the veranda, she screamed, and almost
tainted with fright. She staggered
through the hall and reached the front
door. Then, looking in the direction of
the gate, she saw Mrs. Walters emerge
from the rose-bushes and come slowly
towards her,
."Don't be frightened, mamma" she
cried, seeing her mother. "He did not
touch me-" In moment Mrs. Round-
tree was by her side, but so excited that
she could not speak. 81 really did have
q narrow escape, though" continued
Mrs. Walters. "You see now what l
missed by not carrying the revolver.
think could have hit him before he got
away"
ooh, what was it? What do you
mean?" gasped Mrs. Roundtree, throw
ing her arms about her daughter.
Mrs. Walters twisted herself from
the embrace aud pointed to round hole
in the sleeve of her wrapper. "See
that?" she said, with cold, calm smile.
1--WE been shot at. AS was gathering
these roses" (she still held them in her
HANDY II heard report and felt some.
thing touch my sleeve lightly. AT the
corner of the lawn, just this side of the
trees, saw a man and a puff of smoke
He was about to shoot again, but, see.
ing me looking, he ran into the woods
I suppose he is out of reach by this
time"
"Come into the house, quicl!" cried
Mrs. Roundtree, drawing her along fore,
IDLY. Gle will shoot us!"
Mrs. Walters impatiently drew her
self from her mothers arms.
II shan't be a coward, if you are" she
said, sharply. Don't you know if you
run from people of that kind they viii
be all the more apt to pursue you? Be
sides, he is gone. Do you suppose he
would wait to be arrested after firing
revolver here in open daylight??"
They had reached the steps of the
veranda, and Mrs. Roundtree drew hei
into the house. James ard Jane were
standing, wide-eycd and frightened, il
the hall.
"Close the door, quick, James" Mrs
Roundtrce screamed, following hel
daughter into the library.
Leave it open. Do yon want tt
smother us?" asked Mrs. Walters, pout
ingly. Mother, am ashamed of you
There is not particle of danger, and
am no baby"
James, telephone to my husband
and Mr.. Walters, quick" Mrs. Round
tree ordered.
James went to the telephone and rang
Mrs. Walters followed him. what d,
you want him to say?" she asked hel
mother. He'll brighten them t.
death. I'd better do thames, wha
is the matter with you? Can't 20,
stand still? Nobody will hurt YOU"
She took the receiver from him ans
placed it to her ear. "Give me five
sixty-seven.s What? Yes, five sixty
seven = Mayor Roundtree's- Office
There was silence for moment. Mrs
Roundtree sat on sofa, staring at her
a strange question in her eyes.
rs that you, papa?" said Mrs. Wal
tiers in the telephone. Eyes, you ar,
right; it is Lillian. Don't you know my
voice? What is it? Well. the truth is
there isn't a thing the matter; we ar,