The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1898-03-17
From Clue to Climax.
BY Will n. HARBts.
tooryrlrh, 800. BY } 3 L'pp,neou Col
CHAPTER v.-CoxrlNurp.


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
10 me three times to say that IL would
be quite natural Cor such a criminal 10
desire to be reveuged on you for of
fering TIE reward. She tries to hide her
interest in the subject, but il shows IL
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 tospeak
to her twice to get her attention after
she had read the account of the crime.
Listen to her musici Can't you detect
her in her playing? She
doesn't play that way usually. Hushi
she has stopped"
1T is tea-time," said Lillian. coming
TO the door. why don't you come in?"
With a 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 album
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 n game of whist in the drawing
room. Lillian had never liked the game.
She 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 chair
rocking back and forth. Later Mrs.
Roundtree became Interested in the
game, and did o think of her daugh-
ter for half an hour. When the game
was finished. she looked towards Lilian's
chair. 1t was vacant.
why, where is Lilian?" the mother
asked, excitedly. 'She was on TIL
veranda Just now" Mrs. Roundtrec
called the girls name aloud. but there
was no reply.
They all rose hurriedly and went &c
the door. vaguely alarmed.
Lillian! Lilianl" Mrs. Roundtrec
called from the yeranda.
Here | am, mother"
The reply came from down the walk
among the Observation-Disclosures
Il am coming; don't be frightened"
why, my child. how can you be sc
im%prudent?" cried Mrs. Roundtree, as
the girl came into the light of the gas
In the hall. Lillian was trying I o con
zeal somethingt under the light shaw.
she wore. and walked rather awkward,
as she came up the steps. As her hus'
band approached her. she retreated into
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
lion of her actions, II came near hav
ing an adventure. | saw a man climl
over the fence down by the rose
bushes. | knew he had no bushes!
there. and"
You went down there?" her mother
gasped.
The girl laughed coldly and drew
revolver from beneath her shawl. g.
ran up and got Fred's revolver. l wa,
not afraid. / knew don't know how
J. knew it, but / was sure he was no
armed, and that if i could catch hin
| could brighten him into submission.
She swung the revolver to and fro skill
fully in her strong fingers. But b,
got away. He sprang over the fenc'
and ran as 500 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 TO
wards his wife with extended hand.
Give it to me-" he said, in a strange
imperative tone.
With a sudden look OF defiance, sh
held the revolver behind her, and a
he drew nearer she threw it over tn
balustrade into the fower-beds.
81 did not mean to do that" she cried
impulsively, then she Mas logged.
silent.
Fred Walters went down the steps
picked up the revolver, and came bac
examining it in the light.
Its loaded" he said under his breat
to the mayor.
"Of course it's loaded,' the gin
blurted out. do you think I'D go dow
there TO meet IA red-handed nun
derer with an unloaded revolver?
Then, with a deep flush OF her face, sh
PASSED through the light at the doc
and resumed her seat in the rockin
chair before the window,
"My darling" began Mrs. Round
tree, finding her voice at last, and ao
yancing towards her.
Don't call me pet names!" broke
the young wife. women are sue
weak beings that the moment one c
us does a sensible thing she is reprovet
L am not Alphabetically afraid-of an
creature that ever walked on the eartl
L only did what Fred or papa woul
have done. Why, / am a better she
than Fred, ard be knows it. Let's tai
of something else"
Without another word the mayor an
his wife and son left Fred Walters wit
Lillian and went into the drawing-roon
'She has always been a strange ere;
ture," sighed Mrs. R%oundtree, 'but sh
has never acted so queerly before. Oh
I'm very much afraid she and Fred wi