The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-03-05
From Clue to Climax.
BY WILL N. HARLEM.
copyright 1896. by J. B. Lippincott Col
CHAPTER V.--CoNTlNUED.

1t was strange, wierd air, that Lillian
played, and she played it with skill and
power. The others listened silently for
few moments; then Mrs. Roundtree
said to the mayor:
I'VE really must not talk about that
affair before her; her mind has been
dwelling on it all day. She has been
to me three times to say that it would
be quite natural for such criminal to
desire to be revenged on you for Of
fering the reward. She tries to hide her
interest in the subject, but II shows it.
self every minute. She was so eager
to hear the news that she went down
to the gate to meet the newsboy with
the afternoon paper, and had 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"
"It is tea-time," said Lillian, coming
to the door. "Why don't you come in ?'
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 q game of whist in the drawing.
room. Lillian had never liked the game
Size improvised 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 chail
rocking back and forth. Later Mrs
Roundtree became interested in the
gcme, and did not think of her daugh
ter sor half an hour. When the game
WAS finished, she looked towards Lilian''
chair. 1t was vacant.
"Why, where is Lilian?" the mother
asked, excitedly. "She was on tn
yeranda Just now" Mrs. Roundtret
called the girls name aloud, but ther,
was no reply.
They all rose hurriedly and went t.
the door, vaguely alarmed.
Lillian! Lilian!" Mrs. Roundtrei
called from the veranda.
Here I am, mother"
T'8e reply came from down the wall
among the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
81 irihr coming; don't be frightened"
'Why, my child, how can you be s,
imprudent?" cried Mrs. Roundtree. a
the girl came into the light of the ga
in the hall. Lillian was trying to con
ceal something under the light shaw
she wore, and walked rather awkward,
as she came up the steps. AS her hus
band approached her, she retreated int
the shadow of the wall near the door
Then suddenly she broke into a low
mechanical laugh.
"The truth is" she said, seeing tina
the others were waiting for an eXplana
ton of her actions, II came near hav
ing am adventure. I saw man clim'
over the fence down by the rose
bushes. / knew he had no bushes
there, and"
you went down there?' her mothe
gasped.
The girl laughed coldly and drew
revolver from beneath her shawl. 6
ran up and got Fred's revolver. wa
not afraid. l KNEW don't know no,
knew it, but was sure he was no
armed, and that if could catch hir
could brighten him into submission.
She swung the revolver to and fro skill
fully in her strong fingers. "But h
get away. He sprang over the fenc
ard ran as soon as he saw me. woul
have fired at him, but knew he wa
beyond range, and that the report woul
brighten you out of your wits"
The group stood motionless and silen
for a moment. Then Fred Walter
drew a long breath, as he stepped tc
wards his wife with extended hand.
''Give it to me-" he SAID, in strang
imperative tcne.
With sudden look of defiance, sh
held the revolver behind her, and q