Arizona republican., 1898-01-25
finished, she looked towards Lillian $

H. u W as NuCdub.
 Why, where is Iilian?' the mother
 ked, excitedly. ''She was on the eranda 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! Iilian." Mrs. Roundtrec called from the veranda.
 Here l am. mother''
 The reply came from down the walk among the hoNvood-and-rose-b q am coming; don't be frightened'
 "Why, my child. how can you be so imprudent?" ?" cried Mrs loundtree. as the girl came into the light of the gas in the hall. Lillian was trying to con ceal something under the li"lt shawl she wore. and VI alkcd "a ther ;iu i.wardlv as she came mp the steps. As her hus band approached her, she retreat ted into the shadow of the wall near the door. Then suddenly she broke into a low, mechanical laugh.
 ''The truth is" she said, seeing that the others were waiting for an explana ton of her actions, "I came near hay ing an adventure. l saw q man climb over the fence down by the rose bushes. I knew he had no business there, and"
 You went down there?" her mother gasped.
 The girl laughed coldly and drew revolver from beneath her shawl. Il ran up and got Fred's revolver. I was not afraid. 1 knew-I don't i.now how ] knew it, but I was sure hc was not armed, and that if I could catch him I could frighten him into suor:.ss:on." She swung the revolver to and fro skill fully in her strong fingers. But he got away. He sprang o1er the fence and ran as soon as he saw ne. would have fired at him, but I lncw he was beyond range, and that the report would frighten you out of your wits
 The group stood motioniess and silent for a 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 a sudden look of defiance, she held the revolver behind her, and as he drew nearer she threw it over the baIustrade into the fower-beds.
 ''I did not mean to do that" sine 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
 Its loaded" he said under his breath to the mayor.
 "Of course it's loaded," the girl blurted out. Do you think I'd go down there to meet a-a red-handed mur- derer with an unloaded revolver?" Then, with deep flush on her face, she passed through the light at the door and resumed her seat in the rocking clair before the window. ~
 My darling" began Ms. Round tree, finding her voice asSs last, and ad- vancing towards hel.
 Don't call ne 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 J am not afraid-really afraid-of any creature that ever walked on the earth. I only did what Fred or papa would have done. Why, I am a better shot than Fred, and he knows it. Let's talk of something else"
 Without another word the mayor and his wife and son left Fred Walters with lillian and went into the dravving-room.
 '-She has always been strange crea- ture," sighed Mrs. Rolfndtree, ''but she has never acted so queerly before. Oh, I'm very much afraid she and Fred will not get along well together. They are so different. Don't you think he looked a little vexed just now, dear?''
 More surprised than anything else, I thought replied the mayor.
 Just then Fred and his wife passed tie door, going towards the stairs. "There are two sides to the question: , Lillian was saying. Would you mind keeping yours to yourself?"
 Fred looked in with flushed face we are going to bed,'' he said. ''She will be all right ir fl.e morning. I hao no business to teach her to shoot.''
 Continued Tomorrnw)