Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1898-04-21

stroked his beard thoughtfully for a !
moment, and then said;
81 don't think you need have any fear
up 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 polsce-
men in citizen clothes hang about the
grounds for few days
This was done for a 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 rap 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 moment Mrs. Round
tree was by her side, but so excited that
she could not speak. "Ireally did have
narrow escape, though" continued Mrs.
Walters. you see now what [ missed
by not carrying the revolver. think
could have hit him before he got away"
ooh, 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 a cold, calm smile.
I've been shot at. AS | was gathering
these roses" (she still held them in her
handD 81 heard a report aud 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.
| suppose he is out of reach by this
time"
Come into the house, quick!" cried
Mrs. Roundtree, drawing her along fore
IDLY, "IIe will shoot us!"
Mrs. Walters impaticntly drew her
self from her mothers arms.
81 shan't be a 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? Yes, five sixty.
seven - Mayor Roundtree's office.
There was silence for moment. Mrs
Roundtree sat on a sofa, staring at her
a strange question in her eyes.
rs that you, papa?" said Mrs. Wal
ters il the telephone. "Yes, you ar,
righ.; 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 anC
E frightened, and perhaps you or FREQ
ought to come up"
r Mrs. Roundtree ran to her. "Aren'
S you going to tell him what has hap
: pened? How can he tell the police j
a you don't? Give it to me-"
d Mamma, do be reasonable" replie,
S Mrs. Walters, holding the receiver on
of her mothers reach "Well, let m,
alone; I'll tell him. Yes, papa tina
a was mamma talking. was on the lawl
u just now, and a man shot at me; but h
r did not touch me, and ran away. Nam
i ma thinks you ought to notify the po
d lice"
y Fred is coming at once" the mayo
l telephoned. stay indoors. l shal
r. notify the police, and come as quickly a
T. / can"
When Mrs. Roundtree had heard he
y husbands message she drew her daugl
ter down on the sofa beside her and sa
z. silently stroking her hand and lookin
n anNiously towards the door. Jane