The Holly chieftain., 1898-03-18

power. The others listened silently for
few moments; then Mrs. Roundtree
said TO the mayor:
I'VE really must not talk about that
sffair before her; her mind has been
dwelling on II all day. She has been
to me three times to say thnt it would
be quite natural for such criminal to
desire TO be revenged on you for Of
feripg 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 tine gate to meet the newsboy with
the afternoon paper. and Ind 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"
1T is tea-time,~ said Lillian, coming.
TO the door. why don't you come in p.
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 abun-
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 improyised 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 the
yeranda 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. Roundtree
called from the veranda.
Here am, mother"
The reply came from down the walk
among The Observation-Disclosures
II am coming; don't be frightened"
Why. my child, how can you be so
imprudent?' 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
ns she came up the steps. As her hus-
band approached her, she retreated into
the shadow Of the wall near the door.
Then suddenly she broke into u low.
mechanical laugh.
The truth is" she said, seeing that
the others were waiting for an explann-
tion of her actions, II came near l,ay-
ing an adventure. I saw man climb
over the fence down by the rose
bushes. / knew he had no business
there, and
"You went down there 2" her mother
gasped.
The girl laughed coldly and drew a
revolver from beneath her shawl. Il
ran up and got Fred's revolver. ! was
not afraid. l knew-I don't know how
knew it. but was sure he was not
armed, and that II could catch him
could frighten him into submission"
She swung the revolver to and fro skill
fully in her strong fingers. "But he
got away. He sprang over the fence
and ran -. soon as he saw me. Iwould
have fired at him. but knew he was
beyond range, and that the report would
frighten you out of your wits"
The group stood motionless and silent
for moment. Then Fred Walters
drew long breath. as he stepped to-
wards his wife with extended hand.
"Give it to me-" he said, in strange,
imperative tone.
With q sudden look of defiance, she
held the revolver behind her, and as
he drew nearer she threw it over the
balustrade into the fower-beds.
Il did not mean to do that" she cried,
impulsively, then she was doggedly
silent.
Fred Walters went down the steps.
picked up the revolver. and came back
examining it in the light
''It's loaded" he said under his breath
to the mayor.
"Of course it's loaded" the girl
Llurted out. do you think I'd go down
there to meet a--a red-handed mur-
dcrer with an unloadcd revolver?"
Then, with deep flush on her face, she
PASSED through the light at the door
and resumed her seat in the rocking
chair before the window. afs
my darling" began Mrs, Round
tree, finding her voice at last, and ad-
ynncihg towards her. $500
Don't call me pet names!'' broke in
the young wife. "Women are such
weak beings that the moment one Of
us does a sensible thing she Is reproved.
am not afraid-renlly afraid-of any
creature that ever walked on the earth.
only did what Fred or papa would
have done. Why, am better shot
than Fred, and he knows It Let's talk
Of something else"
Without another word the mayor ana
his wife and son left Fred Walters with
Lillian and went into the drawing-room.
"She has always been strange crca-
ture," sighed Mrs. Roundtree. "but she
has never acted SO qneerly before. Oh,
I'm very much sfraid she and Fred will
not get along well together. They ore
10 different Don't you think he looked