The Hickman courier., 1914-11-19
chansslIna.

chansellna.
In the vague. chill gray OF that dull
and deSolate dawn. Judith stirred alb
ruptly on the couch Of a sleepless
niEht. and with the rapldity 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. siealihy notes.-the sounds
made by her sister moving about and
preparing against the ungucssable mo-
meni 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 saunt framework Of tho
unfinished building from an angle
which. when Alan edged out along the
girder showed him plainly In silhou.
'AR' skatAAt tnt SAY
In Jndith's eyes his identity was un.
rnlstakable. She had hardly needed
the night glasses which presently she
brought TO bear upon him at the mo-
ment when he was laboriously inditing
bis 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 60 surmise lie outcome only from
the fact that the victor spared the life
OF the vanqulahed.
Tho clock was striking hix a. she
left her room: across the street work.
ingmsn we're streaming into the build.
Ing 10 begin the labors Of the day.
nrushing unceremouiously past the
drowsy and indifferent guard In tho
corridor outside the door to Roses
room. Judith turned the hey that re-
NAMED In the lock on the outside. ro-
moved Il. entered. aud locked the door
behind her.
without any surprise she found her
sister already dressed to the point OF
donninE her outer garments.
Rendered halffrantic by this unex'
pected interruption. threatening as II
dld the perilous scheme that Alan had
proposed. Ress greeted her sister with
counisnanee at once Aghast and
wraihful.
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 az well Al
l."
yet one there must be-"
Il insist that you leave this room al
oneel"
Insist by all means-and b'
damned may leave this room-ant
| may not. dear little sister But on'
OF us will never leave II alive"
with a start OF terror. Rose ehranl
back from this strange. Wild thin
that wore the very shape aud sem
blance Of herself.
what do you meang You canno
mean to murder mo In cold blood
Judith"
Not II" Judith laughed harshlJ
"put since Il has pleased Destiny 4
decree that We muSt both love on
man-let Destiny decide between u
and bear the blame OF murderl"
/ judith"
Ill zone moment!" Crossing TO . sid
table, Judith took up glass from
| tray that held a silver water-pitchel
and returned with II TO the table tina
occupied the middle OF the noor Al th
same time she opened hand TIL the
| faat cIenched and disclosed q sma
| hlue bottle with n red label shriekln
| The warning 'PoIsoNi"
IL "strychnine." she explained con
posedIy, "in solution" And emptie
| the bottle into the glass.
Il A measure Of courage returned
Rose. do you expect to be able
make me drink that?" che demande
eontemptuously.
mot but Destiny. II II VIII Sc
hare" From q pocket Of her dressinI
Gown Judith produced sealed deck
slaying cards. Let these declare u
viii OF Destiny toward US. ! will brea
iii . - .h,.fan iha carha and deal