Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-31
CHAPTER XIV.
ChaneeIlna.

In the vague, chill gray OF that dull
and desolate dawn, Judith stirred alb
ruptly on the couch of a sleepless
night. and with the rapidity Of one
who has arrived at a settled purpose
after long period of doubt and per-
plexity, rose and bathed and dressed
herself in negligee.
In the adjoining room she could hear
small, stealthy notes.-the sounds
made by her sister moving about and
preparing against the unguessable mo.
ment when her rescue would be at
tempted, according to the information
conveyed in that midnight message.
For chance had conspired with her
insomnia to station Judith in the re-
cess OF her darkened window, idly
viewing the gaunt framework of the
unfinished building from an angle
which, when Alan edged out along the
girGer, showed him plainly in silhou.
cite against the sky
In Judith's eyes his. identity was un-
mistakable. She had hardly needed
the night-glasses which presently she
brought to bear upon him at the mo-
ment when he was laboriously inditing
his message grim death stalked
him from behind.
She had seen him throw the watch
and had heard the double thump of its
impact with the wall and floor of
Roses bedchamber
And she had witnessed with wildly
beating heart that duel in the air.
able to surmise its outcome only from
the fact that the victor spared the life
of the vanquished.
The clock was striking six as she
left her room: across the street work
ingmen were streaming into the build.
ing to begin the labors of the day.
Brushing unceremoniously Ia-t c
drowsy and Indifferent guard in the
corridor outside the door to Roses
room, Judith turned the key that re-
NAMED in the lock ON the outside, re-
moved it, entered, and locked the door
behind her.
Without any surprise she found her
sister already dressed to the point of
donning her outer garments.
Rendered half-frantic by this unex-
pected interruption. threatening as it
did the perilous scheme that Alan had
proposed, Rose greeted her sister with
a countenance at once aghast and
wrathful.
What do you want?" she demanded
tensely.
ITO come to an understanding with
you" Judith told her coolly.
There is no understanding possible
between us: you know that as well as
L."
eYet one there must be"
4 insist that you leave this room at
once!"
Insist by all means-and be
damned! l may leave this room-and
may not, dear little sister But one
of us viii never leave it alive"
With start of terror, Rose shrank
back from this strange. wild thing
that wore the very shape and SEM
blsnce of herself.
What do you mean? You cannot
mean to murder me in cold blood,
Judith?"
mot II" Judith laughed harshly.
But, since it has pleased Destiny to
decree that we must both love one
man--let Destiny decide between US
and bear the blame Of murder!"
Judith"
"One moment" Crossing to . side
table, Judith took up glass from a
tray that held silver water-pitcher.
and returned with It to the table that
occupied the middle Of the floor At the
same time she opened hand till then
fast clenched and disclosed small
blue bottle with a red label shrieking
the warning "POIsONi"
estrychnine," she explained com
posedly, lin solution" And emptied
the bottle into the glass.
a measure Of courage returned to