Omaha daily bee., 1914-09-13

moving about and preparing against the unguess-
able moment when her would be attempted
according to the information conveyed in that mid
night message.
For chance had conspired with her insomnia to
station Judith in the recess of her darkened win
dow, idly viewing the gaunt framework of the un.
finished building from an angle which, when Alan
edged out along the girder, showed him plainly in
silhouette against the sky.
In Judith's eyes his identity was unmstakable
She had seen him throw the watch and had
heard the double thump of it's 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 vanqushed.
The clock was striking six as she left her room:
across the street workngmen were streaming into
the build lg to begin the labors of the day.
Brushing unceremoniousy past the drowsy and
Indifferent guard in the corridor outside the door
to Roses r IN, Judith turned the key that re-
NAMED in the lock on the outside, removed it,
entere =, and locked the door behind her.
Without any surprise she found her sister al
ready dressed to the point of donning her outer
garments
Rendered halffrantic by this unexpected inter.
ruption threatening as it did the perilous scheme
that Alan had proposed Rose greeted her sister
with countenance at once aghast and wrathful.
Il insist that you leave this room at once!"
insist by all means-and be damned! may
leave this room-and may not, dear little sister,
But one of us will never leave it alive"
With start of terror Rose shrank hack from
this strange, wild thing that wore the very shape
and semblance of herself
What do you mean? You cannot mean to muir.
Ger me in cold blood, Judth?"
Not T." Judith laughed harshIy But since II
has pleased Destiny to decree that must both
love one man-let Destiny decide between US and
bear the blame of mArder!"
Judith"
One moment" Crossing to a side table Judith
took up glass from a tray that held a silver
water-pitcher and returned with it to the table
that occupied the middle of the floor At the same
time she opened a hand till then fast clenched
and disclosed small blue bottle with a red label
shrieking the warning "POIsON!"
"Strychnine" she explained composedIv "in so.
luton" And emptied the bottle into the glass
measure of courage returned to Rose. DO
you expect to be able to make me drink that?"
she demanded CONTEMPORARY
Not but Destiny If II Will See here From,
a pocket of her dressing gown Judith produced a
sealed deck of playing cards. Let these declare
the will Of Destiny toward US ! will break the
seal. shuttle the cards, and DEAL" she explained
suiting action to word. The one who gets the
Trey Of Hearts will drain that glass Is it a bar.
GAIN"
Never! oh, now know that you are altogether
mad"
Whipping a small revolver from another pocket
OF her dressinggown, Judith placed it the table,
ready to her hand.
You will shoot me If do not CONSENT"
Not you-but him. If you refuse. little sister,
will shoot Alan Law dead when he comes to
keep his appointment with you"
With shudder Rose bowed her head
Deal" she muttered fearfuy, "and may God
Judge between u.s."
One by one she stripped the cards from the top
Of the deck, dealing first to Rose then to herself
The Trey of Hearts fell to Judith.
There was instant of silent dread ended by
Rose. as Judths hand moved steadily toward the
glass
Judith" she implored Don't beg of you
didn't mean tt take back nv consent"
Too late!" said Judith, lifting the glass and
cycling its contents with strange smile
Judith! you cannot mean to drink IT,"
Cant ], thought the other laughed mirthlessly.
Just watch mel"
With strangled cry Rose covered her face with
her hands to shut out the sight stood momentarilv
swaying, and dropped to the floor in a complete
faint.
Delaying only to recognize this phenomena with
plying smile for the weakness OF spirit that
caused II, her glance darted through the window
and saw that which caused her to stay her hand
an instant longer.
On the topmost tier of Orders of the building on.
posite, Alan Law stood amid little knot OF
amused and animated laborers, one foot IN the
great steel hook Of the hoistng tackle both hands
clasping the chain that linked 1t to the gigantic
block.
And as Judith stared, he smiled at something
said by one OF those about him, looked back and
waved hand to some person invisible.
Immediately the arm began to lift the tackle to
move slowly through the blocks Very gently he
was swung up and outward.
With cry Judith flung the poison heedlessy
from her, leaped across the room, and snatched up
the street garments Rose had dropped at her sis
ter's entrance
In another moment she was struggling madly
into them
Before the shadow of Alan. clinging to the hook
and chain. fell athwart the window she was
dressed and clambered out upon the sill
Sweetheart! My bravest little woman!"
BY way of answer Judith breathed only a word
OF tenderness.
The hook hung steady within six inches of the
window-ledge. Alan extended his arm
Nothing to fear, except lest hold you too tight
dear one!"
Immediately they swung away from the
window, over toward the opposite sidewalk, and
gently lowered to the street
"SF'' and southland not a soul over there the
wiser as yeti" he declared with a derisive nod
toward the home of Urine. Come along. Here's