The Washington herald., 1914-09-06


longer do you think I'm going to tolerate your in
terference-you poor little fool! How many mora
lessons will you require before realizing that
mean to have my way, and that you'll cross me-
only to suffer for it,"
80 you've tried again." she inquired obiquelyr
with a tone Of pity. You've offered him your
love yet another time have you?"
"SilenceI" Judith cried in fury.
only to learn once more that he would rather
death than you?" Rose persisted, unhinching.
And so you come to take your spite out on me,
do you? You pitifuI thing! Do you think mind
knowing as do know that he could never hold
you in anything but compassion and contempt?
You will see" she said in even and frigid ac-
cents And the light Of her mania leaped and
leaped again in her eyes like living fame. I
have prepared way to make you understand what
opposition to me means :"
She waved a hand toward the nearer point OF
rocks. Take them along" she commanded.
The understanding between her and her men
was apparently complete; for these last without
hesitation or further instructions, marched Rose
and Barcus down to the end OF the spit and on,
into the water
It was nearly kneedeep before Barcus was halt
ed with a savage jerk backed up to a rock, forced
despite his frenzied resistance to sit down in the
water and swiftly. with half dozen deft bitches
Of rope and staunch knot, made fast in that posi-
tion-submerged to his chest.
This accomplished the men turned attention to
Rose lashng her in similar wise at Rarcus' side.
Standing just above the water-ine. with every
sign Of complete calm and sanity other than that
ominous Pickering in her eyes, Judith superintend-
ed the business till its conclusion then waved the
men away.
Quietly like weIItrained servants, they turned
their backs and marched OF.
And again, after brief wait the woman laughed
her short and mirthless laugh
The tide will be high" she said precisely at
sunset. You may time your lives by that. When
the sun dips into the sea, then will your lives go
down with it."
She turned on her heel and strobe swiftly away
with not so much a backward glance. overlook
her men. and passed quickly from sight around the
further point Of rocks.
Barcus noted that already the waters had risen
than inch.
Humbled even in his terror by that radiant calm
that dwelt upon her. he ventured difdently: Rose
Miss Trine-"
She turned her head and found the heart to
smile. Rose" she corrected gently
I'm sorry" he said-which not at all what
he had meant to say. I've done my best. sup
pose it's wrong to give up-but they've made it too
much for me. this time
Il know" she said gently.
"You."-he stammered-"you'r not afraid"
There is nothing to fear" she said. but
Then he said more brarely after time-ths
water near his good-bye-good
luck"
Not vet. dear friend" she returned not yet"
It seemed strange that his throat could be dry.
parched
He opened his eyes shuddering
It's goodbye now. he faltered
Not yet" her voice rang beside him, vibrant.
lookup there-aong the cliff"
He lifted Ms gaze -.
Two running along the cr-and the
man in the lead was Alan. But his lead was very
scant. and the who pursued OF
Judths and stuck 10 the trail like a bloodhound
fresh from the leash.
And the water at his lips: Barcus
could more sreak without stranglng.
OF sudden he groaned in his heart; though
there possible way down the clin. still the
sight of his friend alive and unharmed had brought
with it thrill Of hope; now that hope died as
he Alan stumble and go to his knees.
Before he could rise the other was upon him,
with the fury of wolf seeking the throat Of
stag
For an instant they fought like madmen then.
in a trice, the skyline Of the cH was empty; one
or the other had trpped and fallen the brink.
and falling had retained hold Of his enemy and
carried him down well
BY no chance, Barcus told himself could either
escape uniniured.
Yet, to his amazement. he saw one man break
from the others embrace and rise. And he who
lay still. crumped. inhuman heap upon the
sands. Judith's
With a violent effort Barcus lifted his mouth
above water and shrieked
Alan! Alan! HeIp Here-at the end Of the
point-in the water-help!"
A precious minute was lost before Alan discov-
cred their two heads, so barely above that swiftly
rising food.
Then he ran toward them he had never
before and came whipped out jackknifs
and freed its blade
Even so-snce it was. Of course. Rose whom
Alan freed the frst-Barcus was half-drowned he
fore Alan helped him in turn up to the beach
And this happened the last blood-red rim Of
the sun was washed under by the waves.
Two minutes later the lifeboat was aAoat, and
Mr. Barcus. already recovered, laboriCg with
the fywheel Of the motor, stimulated to supreme
exertion by the sight of party, led oy Judith,
racing madly down the beach
But it not until we'll out from shore and on
the way to the safety promised by the mainland
now readily discernible on the horizon-that any
Of them found time for speech.
Then Mr.. Barcus Strengthened up from his as
siduous attentions to the motor. and observed:
You bear a charmed life, my adventurous
friend. | want to tell you that when l saw you
go that cliff I made up my mind your useful
ness would be at least permanently impaired. As