The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-03-15

moments he said, without turning around,
he again faced about, he was alone.
v.
Late that evening great bank of clouds
that had been gradually accommodating in
the West rolled up over The Cedars and
burst in thunderstorm, which ragged
furiously until far in the night, and raised
surf that sounded upon the shore like
the explosions of cannon.
The study was lighted by lamp pendent
from the ceiling, moderated by screen of
silken gauze. Armyrage and Mar were
conversing in low tones at the table. Il
shall take her away tonight" said the
latter, "as soon as the ceremony is over.
/ don't like the looks of that fellow Re-
veil. Do you take care TO play your part
straight. You know what l can do with
you'll"
care you man or devil?" said the
clergyman.
"A distinction without a difference,
father-in-law! But I am SO far different
that am fed by souls, as other men by
flesh and wine; without them / perish.
But woe to him who cheats me of my
chosen meal! pay fair price and ! will
be served?s
'.She is coming!" exclaimed Armytage
in whisper. .0h, my daughter."
Mar stepped behind the curtains in the
window as Judith entered. The clock
struck II. The reverberations of the thun-
der and the waves filled the room with
heavy, muffled murmurs.
do you want me tonight, father? ?"
Judith asked.
Zone more experiment that wish to
try. my DEAR" replied he, in deprecating
tone. II can promise you that il will be
the last. You have already helped me
| to discover secrets known to no one else
| Your clairvoyance is without parallel.
One more voyage into the other world and
I, we are DONE"
Father" said Judith. fixing her eyes
on him, II am your daughter, but l am a
| woman, too, with an immortal soul.
have given You power over me by which
| you might destroy me if you would. If
you were to betray me do You think that
| any gain it might bring you would make
you happyf l have a right to my own
life and love and happiness. viii you not
| stop here? Let us live an open and honest
| life among human beings and let these
subtle mysteries go-for your sake as much
| as mine, Ii would be better to starve SO
than to live with anything between us and
| truth. Think, father"
my dear. your distrust hurts me. What
can desire but your we'll being. And
am better judge of what will secure that
than girl like you can be. Why should
YOU hesitate now more than 1t another
time? Do You doubt my love for your"
Judith remained gazing at him few
moments with \ strange smile on her lips
He avoided her glance, affecting 10 be oc-
| cupied with some papers on the table. In
| those few silent moments great stake
was won and lost. Presently she said !:
II am ready then" and seated herself on
low reclining chair, little remove from
| the table She settled herself al case,
folded her hands and closed her eyes. Her
father stood up and looked AT her.
The light of the lamp became fainter
until the room was very dusky. A sound
like the low, mellow note of a distant bell
came 10 the ear in q monotonous regular
ity. Judith lay mosionless. save for n
slow, inward respiration. The palsations
of the bell were like the beating of heart
gradually becoming less and less. The
cheeks and lips OF the girl grew coiorless.
She Law like one dead. for even her breath
ing had become imperceptihle.
Arnytsge made y sign, and Mar stepped
forth from behind the curtain, He trod
noiseiessly 20 the side of the girl and con-
templaled her with peculiar grimace, in
which a sort of burning hunger WAS min
glei with an expression OF malice. But
presently he shock his head and frowned.
After all. muttered he, lit is not Ja-
dith that shall get, but another woman
What il a soul9 What will become of her
Make your conjuration. l viii find means
10 reach her through the wells of identity"
Armytage now seated himself beside Ju-
dith and laid his hand on hers. Judith,
he said to her in husky voice, ''you love
Robert Mar You viii always love him.
You will be his wife and do his bidding.
No one else can ever come between you
and him. Waking or sleeping, You viii be
his. Body and soul, you viii be ms, TIL
your life end.
He paused. and they heard the roll of
the thunder. the booming Of the surf and
the rush OF the rain.
.sIhas will do, said Mar. Nov, rouse
her and let US finish.h
Aruaytage struck ibis hands sharply to-
rsfher. ssWakefn exclaimed he. Wake.
Judith
But not an eyelash qulvered: not q
dead. Was she dead. indeeds
.What does this mean Z" demanded Mar,