The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-03-05
CHAPTER WI.


Late in the night Mrs. Roundtree was
awakened by light touch on her
brow.
ut is /, 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 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 you-surely
you have not been out again?"
The girl drew herself up stiffly and
was silent for moment. The room was
family lighted by the moonbeams; but
Mrs. Roundtree could not see her face.
"No, have not been out" she said
hesitatingly at first, and then, speak
ing more rapidly, 'but 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, l was not certain that
the man l saw might not come back
again. Now, don't be frightened, but
| am pretty sure that it was the muir
derer, and that he has designs against
us. 1t would be the most natural thing
in the world. Fathers offer of big
reward is like an open challenge to hint
, The man who wrote those notes and did
that deed is deep and cunning, and ]
don't believe he'll be easily caught"
Mrs. Roundtree sat up in bed and
put her arm around her daughter
ooh, 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 hel
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 fol
a moment; then she stepped towards
her with an arm outstretched. "Yol
know when the pulse of anyone is ex
cited. Feel mine. No, you have got t.
do it am serious. will not be &C
cused OF being agitated when am a.
calm as can be. Feed it, I say!"
Mrs. Roundtree was obliged to TAXI
her wrist and press her trembling fin
gers on the veins.
"You see," the girl went on, 81 am no
excited; but you are, for you are culver
ing oil over. Lie down and go to sleel
again. I am sorry walked YOU" Ant
she turned and went out of the room.
The next morning. while the famil!
were at breakfast, James, the butler
brought folded paper to the mayor
He said he had found it among tn
rose bushes near the gate. 1t wa
| y pCNiie0h, uhu uuul OoSCu W Goy "
Romdtree." AS he opened it Mrs
Roundtree turned pale and Fred Wal
tiers stared fxedly at han. Lillian di'
not seem to have noticed the mans en-
trance, nor did she seem to hear he
mother say: "What is it, dear?" a
she leaned towards her husband. TIL
mayor finished the note and mutel
handed it to his wife. Fred Walter
got up and stood behind Mrs. Round
trees chair, reading the note over he
shoulder.
Bring me hot roll, Jane" said Mrs
Walters to the girl who was waitin,
at the table. Then she seemed TO motto
that Fred had moved from her side
"Why, Fred!" she said, "is it polit
to look over mammals letters?"
A look of deep concern was on Wa
ters' face. He came back to his chat
without replying. The mayor too
the sheet of paper, put it into hi
pocket, and awkwardly resumed hi
breakfast.
Something I've no hand in, that
plain" said Lillian. well, don't care
you've always tried to make a bah
of me-" Then her color rose sudder
ly as she added: But / know what
J | is as well as you do. 1t is eommunict