The Washington herald., 1914-11-15

Far better SO: Judith felt she could not trust
herself to say farewell to him without breaking
down and confessing the utter wretchedness that
threatened to overwhelm her each time she forced
herself to face the thought that this parting must
be final
Like a thief she stole across the creaking floor
to Alans side hesitated, bent her head to his and
touched her lips to his cheek-a caress so light
that he slept on in ignorance Of IT.
Then, as she lifted her head and stood erect
bosom convulsed with silent sobs, she looked
squarely into the face Of Rose.
1.-THE OLD ADAM
A long minute elapsed before either woman
moved or spoke.
Transfixed beside AIans chair, steadying herself
with a hand upon its back, Judith stared at the
figure in the doorway, in a temper at once discom-
fitted and defiant With this she suffered a phase
of ncredulity was scarce able to persuade herself
that this was truly Rose who confronted her-Rose
whose sweet and gentle nature had ever served as
the butt Of Judiths supreme contempt and ruthless
ridicule.
Here was revolution with a vengeance, when
Rose threatened an0 judith shrank
1t was as If the women had exchanged natures
while they slect
The countenance that Rose showed her sister
was thundercloud rent by the lurid lightning Of
her angry eyes. Her pose was tense and alert,
like the pose Of an animal set to spring. In her
hand hung a revolver.
And slowly, toward the end Of that long, mute
minute. the girls grasp frightened upon the grip Of
the weapon and its muzzle lifted.
Remarking this, flash Of her one-tIme temper
quickened Judith. OF sudden, with a start, she
crossed the floor in a single noiseless stride, and
threw herself before her sister.
"Well?" she demanded hotly What are you
waiting for? Nobody's stopping you: why don't
you shoot%
The upward movement Of the hand was checked:
the weapon hung level to Judith's breast-as level
and unequivocal the glance that probed her eyes
and the tone Of Roses voice as she demanded:
What were you doing there?"
IF you must know from me what you already
know the evidence OF your eyes-I was bidding
good-by to the man love-kissing him without his
or consent before leaving him to you
for good and ALL"
What do you mean"
That I'm going away-that I can't stand this
situation any longer. Marrophat and Jimmy are
dead, my fathers helpless-and mean to see that
he remains Nothing. then, stands in the way
of your marrying Alan but me. And such being
the case-and because he's dear to me as he is
to you-Tm going to take myself on and keep out
Of the way"
For fear lest he find out that you love him."
Judith's lip curled. DO you think him so witless
he doesn't know that already?'
And so you leave him to me out Of your char
lty! Is that it,"
ANY way you like. But II it's SO intolerable to
you to think that dare love him and confess it
TO you-if you begrudge me the humiliation Of
stopping to kiss who doesn't want my kisses
If you are so afraid Of losing him while l live
and love him-very well. them"
With passionate gesture Judith tore open the
bosom Of her waist, offering her flesh to the muz-
lie Of the revolver
A cry broke from the lips Of Rose that was like
he cry of forlorn child punished with cruelty
hat passes its understanding. She fell back
lgainst the wall. The revolver swept up through
The air-but its mark her own head rather
han Judith's bosom.
But before her finger found strength to pull the
rigger the at the table startled from his sleep
By the sound Of angry voices leeped from his chair
with violence that sent 1t Gathering to the floor,
and hurled himself headong across the room i'm
Drsonng the wrist of his betrothed with one hand
while the other wrested the weapon away and
passed it to Judith.
'Rose!" he cried thickly, what does this mean?
Are you mad? Judith"
Dragging the bosom Of her waist together. Judith
hrust the weapon into its holster and turned away.
BE kind to her. Alan" she said in an uncertain
TOice: She didn't understand and-and goaded
Ter beyond endurance, I'm afraid. Forgive me
out be kind to her always!"
Somehow bindly, she stumbled out Of the cabin
nto the open, possessed by a thought whose
emptation was stronger than her powers OF resist
!nce. What Rose had failed to accomplish might
low serve to resolve Judith's problem . None
he told herself bitterly would seek to hinder her.
}ut she meant so to arrange the matter that none
should suspect and be moved to interfere.
Late though the afternoon hour was. the bust
less of hydraulic mining still engaged the undi
-ided attention of every man in the camp None
otced the girl as she sped up the road toward the
,in-at least, if any one did, it was without re-
marking the symptoms Of the hysteria which was
Il the bottom of this mad impulse toward self
destruction
And yet. such is the inconsistency Of the human
nimaI. the instinct fo- sefpreservation was
tronger than her purpose: when touring car
wung round the mountain and shot toward her.
he checked hastily and jumped aside in ample
ime to escape being run down.
The next instant the machine was lurchirg to a
ALT and the sonorous accents of Seneca Trine
'ere saIuting her:
Judith! You here! What the devil! Where've
ou been? Where are Marrophat and jimmy"
Dead" the girl replied sententious. eyeing him
trangey.
"Dead?" he echoed. Who's dead?" \ CLEAN
+ internal joy lighted up his grim and lowering
ountenance. you don't mean to tell me Alan
.aw-"
NO." she cut him short again. Il mean to tell
ou that Marrophat and Jimmy are dead"
'I don't believe it," the .old man screamed
won't heIieve YOu'ra LIVING n