The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1898-03-25
stroked his beard thoughtfully for a

II don't think you need have any fear
I'D at your place, Mr.. Roundtree, but un-
der such circumstances women are
| usually uneasy, so L should advise you,
Capt. Welsh. to have couple of police
men in citizen clothes hang about the
grounds for a 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
grayeled walk among the rose-bushes.
The cook had just left her, when Mrs.
Roundtree heard the report Of a 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 a moment Mrs. Round
tree was by her side, but so excited that
she could not speak. II really did have a
narrow escape, though" continued Mrs.
o1< ,hok r ral
by not carrying the revolver. think I
could have hit him before he got away"
'Oh, what was it? What do you
mean?" gasped Mrs. Roundtree, throw
ing her arms about her daughter.
Mrs. Walters twisted herself from
the embrace and pointed to round hole
in the sleeve of her wrapper. "See
that?' she said, with cold, calm smile.
I've been shot at. AS was gathering
these roses" (she still held them in her
handy II heard a report and felt some
thing. touch my sleeve lightly. At the
corner of the lawn, just this side of the
trees, saw man and puff of smoke.
He was about to shoot again, but, see
ing me looking, he ran into the woods.
1 suppose he is out of reach by this
time"
Come into the house, quick!" cried
Mrs. Roundtree, drawing her along fore
IDLY. "He will shoot us!"
Mrs. Walters impatiently drew her
self from her mothers arms.
81 shan't be coward, if you are" she
said. sharply. Don't you know if you
run from people of that kind they will
be all the more apt to pursue you? Be-
sides, he is gone. Do you suppose he
would wait to be arrested after firing
a revolver here in open daylight"
They had reached the steps of the
veranda, and Mrs. Roundtree drew her
into the house. James and Jane were
standing, wide-eyed and frightened, in
the hall.
"Close the door, quick, James!" Mrs.
Roundtrce screamed, following her
daughter into the library.
Leave it open. Do you want to
smother us?" asked Mrs. Walters. pout-
ingly. Mother, am ashamed of you.
There is not particle of danger, and L
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 do
you want him to say?" she asked her
mother. Hell frighten them to
death. I'd better do thames, what
is the matter with you? Can't you
stand still? Nobody will hurt YOU"
She took the receiver from him and
placed it to her ear. "Give me five
siXty-seven. What?r Yes, five sixty
seven - Mayor Roundtree's office"
There was silence for a moment. Mrs.
Roundtree sat on sofa, staring at her,
strange question in her eyes.
us that you, papa?" said Mrs. Wal
tiers in the telephone. eyes, you are
| right; it is Lillian. Don't you know my
voice? What is it? Well, the truth is,
there isn't thing the matter; we are
all right; but mamma is nervous and
frightened. and perhaps you or Fred
! ought to come up"
| Mrs. Roundtree ran to her. aren't
you going to tell him what has hap
pened? How can he tell the police if
| you don't? Give it to me-"
Mamma, do be reasonable" replied
Mrs. Walters, holding the receiver out
of her mothers reach. "Well, let me
alone; I'll tell him. Yes, papa, that
was mamma talking. was on the lawn
just now, and man shot at me; but he
did not touch me, and ran away. Nam
ma thinks you ought to notify the pO-
|