davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-11-27

along one of these, gingerly on his
hands and knees, until he came to it's
end and might, If he cared to, look
down hundred feet to the sidewalks.
That view, however, did not tempt;
he kept his eyes level; and was re
warded with bare glimpse of pref
tily-papered wall, framed in the lace OF
half-drawn curtains.
And of sudden-whether through
fortuity, or instinct, or the psyche
logical attraction of his steadfast con-
centration-the tenant of the room
came to the window and stood there
for little, looking pensively out, alto
gether unconscious of the watcher in
his aerial coign.
Again a horrible uncertainty har-
assed him. Was the woman Rose
or Judith? That she was one of these
he could plainly see. But which? Dared
he assume his hopes fulfilled?
With difficulty he detached his
hungry vision from her, and drawing
from his pocket small notebook, tore
out blank page. placed this fiat on
the girder, found pencil, and with
the assistance of a ray or two Of
moonlight scrawled a message of al
most stenographic brevity.
When he looked up from this task.
she had vanished.
Sitting up, astride the girder, he
took his watch-a cheap affair he had
picked up when reclothing himself in
the garments of civilized society, at
Providence, that morning-opened the
back of the case, and closed it upon
the folded message.
Then drawing back his arm, he
breathed silent prayer to the god OF
all true lovers, and cast it from him
with all his might-with such force
that it almost unseated him at the end
of the swing. But nothing less would
have served to bridge that yawning
chasm.
And the watch few straight and
true, squarely through the lighted win
dow and to the further wall. =.
At that very instant of his exultation
over an obstacle overcome, he heard a
sound behind him of heavy breathing.
The assassin had come that close
upon his prey when Alan turned and
discovered his peril.
The same moonbeam which had
aided Alan in the composition of his
message struck across the others face,
and showed it like hideous Chinese
mask Of deadly hatred. with its eye
balls glaring and It's lips drawn back
from the naked blade gripped between
it's teeth stiletto nothing short of a
! foot In lAnkth-
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-11-27
CHAPTER XIII.
A Sporting Offer.

Some two hours later, that same
evening, Mr.. Alan Law, very much
alive and, in spite of complete new
outfit of ready-made clothing, looking
much more like himself than he had
in a fortnight, issued forth from the
Grand Central station, hailed taxi
cab. and had himself conveyed to the
Hotel Monolith
But if he looked his proper self once
more, it speedily was demonstrated
that his wish was otherwise: for after
learning from the room-clerk of the
Monolith that suite was being held
in the name of Arthur Lawrence, that
was the name Mr. Law inscribed on
the register
On the other hand, it was his true
name that he gave to the person whom
he called upon the telephone immedi-
ately after being shown to his rooms.
But then he was speaking to his old
friend and man of business, Mr.. Digby.
Within another ten minutes this last
was in conference with his employer:
Il think you must be out of your
head" he insisted nervously, once
their first greetings were over. you
might just as sensibly throw yourself
from the top of the Metropolitan tower
as come to New York while Urine lives
and knows you're this side the water"
"Nonsense!" Alan laughed "Remem-
Der this is New York-not the back
woods of Mainei"
Alan paused and smote his palm
with a remorseful fist. "By the Eter-
nal, I'm forgetting Barcus!"
"Barcus?"
Chap whose boat l chartered in
Portland-sheer luck on my part: he's
one of the salt of the arth. First,
something must be done for the boy.
You've got influence OF some sort in
New Bedford, surelyf"
Digby reflected: Some. There's
George Blaine, Justice Of the peace
THE very man. Telegraph him In
Barcus' interests Immediately. And
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-11-27
CHAPTER xxi.
The House Divided.

The House Divided.
Alone in that strange place Of ST.
lence and shadows-that den of the
DEVILS livery, crimson and black
chained to the invalid chair wherein,
day in, day out, for years on end, he
had suffered the Promethean torments
of the life that would not die out of
his wretched, wrecked carcass, though
without eeasing sharp-beaked envy,
hatred, malice and all uncharitable-
ness pecked insatiably at his vitals:
Seneca Urine sat waiting, with the inn
passivity of craven figure waiting
on the imminent hour of ultimate
arrangement for the wrong that had
made him what he was.
Another hour! In sixty
minutes more they will be here, Judith
and Marrophat and Rose-poor fool!
and him! In sixty minutes
more they will put him down before
me, bound and helpless, If not dead
:"
A slight pause prefaced words that
were whimpered prayer: God send
that ne be not deadi Have fingered
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-11-27
AIan's Appearance at the Hotel MonolIth.

sand miles Of salt water. But this
thing-I can't do it, even for you.
can't do it even for myself. Rose
Urine is here in New York, in the
hands and at the mercy Of her father
and sister: and you may judge what
their mercy will be when you learn
all that she has done for me. ! won't
go and l can't go until find her and
take her with me. And that is final"
Then" Digby struck in, grasping
wildly at a straw of hope, Il have. your
word you'll go, providing find and re-
store Rose to you?"
you have my word to that. unques-
tionably. Bring Rose to me, and I'll
gladly shake the dust of New York
from my shoes, and never return till
Urine is put away comfortably in his
grave"
1T shall be DONE" Digby promised.
1T must!"
You believe that?"
I'm twelve hours Rose shall be re-
stored to you"
"Will you make a book on it? I'll
bet you something happens-and hope
/ lose into the bargain. If you believe
you can carry out your promise. wire
the White Star line to reserve the
best available suite on the Oceanic,
sailing tomorrow morning at ten
and make arrangements for mar
rage before the boat sails"
"Ill go you," Digby agreed: "and II
I fail, | forfeit the cost of the reser-
walton. But about this marriage"
He hesitated.
You'll have to have license in
this state-and can't get one except
by applying in person with your BRIDE
to-be. There won't be time"
Then we'll marry in Jersey" Alan
insisted. dig up some clergyman over
there, if you don't know one your
self"
ooh, I'm we'll acquainted with the
very mani"
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-11-27
CHAPTER XIV.
chanaeIina.

changeling.
In the vague, chill gray of that dull
and desolate dawn, Judith stirred alb
ruptly on the couch of sleepless
night, and with the rapidity of one
who has arrived at settled purpose
after a 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
girder, showed him plainly in silhou-
cite against the sky.
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.
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 past the
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
countenance at once aghast and
wrathful
Il insist that you leave this room at
oncel"
Insist by all means-and be
damnedl | may leave this room-and
l may not, dear little sister, But one
of us will never leave it alive"
what do you mean? You cannot
mean to murder me in cold blood,
JUDITH"
Not II" Judith laughed harshIy
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 murderl"
Judith"
zone moment!" Crossing to a side
table, Judith took up glass from a
tray that held silver water-pitcher.
and returned with 1t to the table that
occupied the middle of the floor. At the
same time she opened hand TIL then
fast clenched and disclosed a small
blue bottle with red label shriekinS
the warning "PoISONi"
"Strychnine." she explained COM
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-11-27

telegraph Barcus as well-send him
hundred for expenses. and tell him
to join me here In New York as quick
as he can!"
Your friends address," Digby in
quired, mildly ironic as he sat down
at the desk and fumbled with the sup
ply Of stationery.
New Bedford jail, of counsel" Alan
chuckled-but cut his laugh in two as
something fiuttered from the pack of
envelopes which Digby had disturbed
and fell to the floor between the two
men.
Face up, 1t grinned sardonic mock
cry of Alan's confidence: it was a trey
of hearts.
Now will you believer" Digby de-
manded huskily.
"In what? A simple coincidence?"
Alan fouted. mot 1! Who knows I'm
In New York-or that the Arthur Law
renee for whom your agent engaged
these rooms was Alan Law. No. my
friend: it's BIT too thick for me. Take
my word for 1t, this is nothing more
nor less than a souvenir of a poker
party held by yesterdays tenant of
this suite"
"Perhaps-perhapsI" Digby assent
ed, stroking tremulous lips. But I'm
afraid for you, my boy. Who knows
that Trine's spies were not watching
my man when he made this reserva-
ton? Who knows but that Arthur
Lawrence was too thin disguise for
Alan Law? I tell you, I'm frightened
to the marrow Of my old bones! Do
me this favor at least, my boy: now
that you've been warned, whether by
accident or design-we won't argue
that-do leave town-go incognito to
some quiet place near by and wait
there for the sailing of the next trans
atlantic steamer. Oh, surely you can't
deny me this one wish of my fond old
heart, my boy!"
There's nothing on earth l would
not do for you" he said: you've been
a father and a mother to me ever since
l can remember, even II we were sepa
rated, most of the time, by three thou
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-11-27

borhood of the Riverside drive home of
his mortal enemy, grim white house
that lowered, stark and tall, upon a
corner.
His preliminary reconnaissance pro-
vided little more than comfortless ex-
ercise. Huge, still, it's wall bathed in
the milk and ink of moonlight and
shadow, all its windows dark but
one-and that one, in the topmost tier,
showed only feeble glimmer, so slight
that Alan almost overlooked it.
He believed with small doubt that
Rose was prisoner within those
walls; that Judith must have con-
veyed her there with all speed.
And, this being the presumptive case,
that small, high window of the light
might we'll be hers.
Directly across the street from the
Urine residence, on the opposite cor.
ner, a colossal apartment structure
stood half-inished, stonework to its
second story, gaunt iron skeleton rear
ing above.
10 his l0llulLo ulSSubtp Aldu lOuuu
the guardian very wide awake, very
much on the Job: no chance here to
steal unseen into the building.
This in itself might have been
deemed a suspicious circumstance:
not for nothing does an honest night
Waterman so deny the laws of nature
and the tenets of his craft. But Alan
merely praised the man while cursing
the very fact of his existence; and, &C
costing, overcame with bank-notes
what seemed an uncommonly stubborn
reluctance, and got his way.
He could not know that another
skulked behind barrier of lime bar
rels and overheard all that passed and
when Alan had ducked smartly into
the unfinished building, rose and stole
after him with footsteps as noiselesi
as cats and face that had the saw
agery of tigers when it was tran
silently revealed In a shaft of moon
light.
At length Alan gained the gridiror
of Orders on a plane with the Lighted
window across the way, and crep
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-11-27

mot but Destiny, If It VIII"
window, she was dressed and clam
bered out upon the sill.
Sweetheart! My bravest little
woman!"
The hook hung steadily within six
inches of the window-ledge. Alan ex'
tended his arm.
Nothing to fear, except lest l hold
you too tight, dear one!"
without a word Judith set her foot
beside his in the hook. surrendered to
his embrace. and closed her eyes.
Immediately they were swung away
from the window, over toward the OPP
posite sidewalk, and gently lowered to
the street.
Maybe this isn't good sehemei"
Alan exulted in the innocence of his
heart. But ! think it is. And those
workingmen think it great lark--I
told them the simple truth, you see:
that we were elopingi"
BY way of answer Judith Dreamed
only a word of tenderness.
And that instant the hook paused
and Alan stepped of upon the side
walk.
Safe ana sound-and not a soul
over there the wiser as yeti" he de.
clared with a derisive nod toward the
home of Urine. Come along. Here's
a limousine waiting. In twenty min
uees we'll be al the ferry, in forty over
in Jersey. within an hour married.
within four hours safe at seal"
GRO BE CoNTJNuEDl
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-11-27
Rose Turned on Her Passionately.


here il anguish all these weary years
for ths fulfillment of my revenge only
10 be cheated at the end by Death
God grant that Alan Law may be laid
down still living here at my feetl
Then :"
A bitter smile twisted his tortured
features: Then shall my will be done
10 him! And then, when have seen
him die as his father died-then-Ah,
God!-then at last l too may die!
=.
There was a long silence, then a
groan of exasperated protest: why
do they not come? Why does Judith
delay, when she knows how suffer?
Why have been put off from day to
day with her kilograms that begged
for more time and promised every
lhing-but told nothing yester-
day. Where are those mes
sages she sent me yesterday"
His one sound hand CROPPED out like
= claw and sought a mass of papers
on the desk beside him, sorting out
from among them two yellow forms.
Painfully he blinked over these and
Slowly his pain-bent lips conned their
wording;
Alan and Rose safe with me-will
bring both home tomorrow night with
out fail, he read the first aloud; and
then the second: Have motorcar
waiting for me tomorrow morning
from three o'clock till called for New
Bedford waterfront-Judith.'
MOI" he affirmed with the fervor
of one persuaded by his own desires:
Il must not doubt the girl! She has
promised. she has performed:
So still was he, indeed, that he
seemed to sleep, but so deceptive was
that semblance that he was alert for
the least sound. The girl entered soft
ly, as if fearful of disturbing his slum-
bers; but she found him with head
erect and eyes a-blaze.
Judith" he cried, his great voice
vibrating like brazen bell. AT last
Where is he? You have brought him
Where is he?"
With no more answer than a sigh,
lke girl dropped her head and let her
hands hang Imply with palms ex.
posed.
After an instant of incredulous dis.
appointment the man shot O single,
erdgid question at her:
-Yon have faiisd7"
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-11-27
SYNOPSIS.

The Of Hearts is the death sign" en-
ployed by Seneca Urine in the private war
of vengeance which. through the agency
pr his daughter Judith. woman of vio-
lent passions like his own. he wages
against Alan Law. son of the man (now
dead whom Urine held responsible for
the accident which rendered him help
less cripple. Alan Is In love with Rose.
her opposite. Judith vows to compass
Alan's death. but under dramatic circum-
stances he saves her hfe and so, unwit-
tingly, wins her love- Thereafter Judith
Is by turns worked upon by the old ha-
tired, the new love. and jealousy of her
sister Rose.
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-11-27
Copyright. 1914. By Louis Joseph Vance
81 have failed" she confessed.
"Whv2"

II have failed" she confessed.
"Why?"
She shrugged slightly. who knows
why one fails? l did my best: he was
too much for me, outwitted me at
every turn. Time and again thought
l had him, but always he escaped,
either by his own wit and courage or
with another's aid Only yesterday
night they were all three in the hol-
low of my hands-but now l bring you
only Rose"
She faltered, awed by the glare Of
his Infatuated eyes. Let me explain"
she begged.
He snapped her short: You cannot
explain. The thing is impossible, that
you should have failed. There is some
thing beneath this, something you
will not tell me-"
She endeavored to speak, but he en-
forced silence with sonorous mol"
His hand sought the row of buttons
on the desk and pressed one long.
Almost instantly servant glided
noiselessly into the room.
My daughter Rose-have her
brought here to me at oncei"
In another moment the replica of
his daughter Judith was ushered into
his presence.
Upon this one he loosed the light
nings of his wrath without ruth.
Rose suffered him in silence. His
most CALLING recrimination educed no
retort from this one.
In a lull in Trine's TRADE, Judith
chose to interiect: Don't be so hard
on the silly fool: she's not responsible;
she's sick with love for that cookbook
ing simpleton!"
And you'll" Rose turned on her
Observation-Disclosures about you? If
love Alan Law, at least l love him
openly. l am not ashamed to own it
and l don't pursue him, as you do, pre-
tending / mean to sacrifice him to a
wicked family feud, and then spare
him every time l meet him, to lead
him to believe / haven't the heart to
injure him-as you do, hoping SO to
work upon his sympathies and earn
kindly word and pat on the head
from his hand!"
Fiercely she leveled a denunciatory
arm at her sister "There!" she cried
to her father-"if you need to know
there stands the daughter who has
betrayed your faith-as l have not
who have never even pretended. to
| approve your villainy!"
Il think" Urine announced In q
voice of ice-'1 have learned now
! what needed to know"
His fingers sought the row of but
tons; and when a servant responded
he inquired:
"Mr. Marrophat has returned?"
He is in the waiting room, sir"
! Conduct Miss Judith to him ant
tell him l hold him personally respon
sible for her safe-keeping. He will
understand"
And for a long time thereafter thu
father, alone with the daughter whC
had been estranged from him sine,
birth by every instinct of her nature
essayed in vain to break down he
mutinous silence.
At last Urine summoned two of hi
creatures and had her led weeping
from the rooms to be held prisoner il
her bedchamber on the topmost foo
of the house.
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-11-27
And emptisa

posedly, Gin solution" And emptisd
the bottle into the glass.
A measure of courage returned to
Rose. do you expect to be able to
make me drink that?' she demanded
contemptuously.
mot but Destiny, II It will! See
here" From pocket OF her dressing
gown Judith produced 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 an
other pocket Of her dressing-gown Ju-
dith placed 1t on the table, ready to
her hand.
You will shoot me If do not con-
sent?"
Not you-but him. If you refuse,
little sister, l will shoot Alan Law
pointment with you"
With a shudder Rose bowed her
head.
Deal" she muttered fearfully, "and
may God judge between us!"
One by one she stripped the cards
from the top of the deck, dealing firsk
to Rose, then to herself.
One nv nna fbou dntAarad 20 fI,n
table on either side the glass Of poison
and fell face uppermost.
| The trey of hearts fell to Judith.
There was an instant of silent dread,
ended by Rose, as Judith's hand moved
| steadily toward the glass.
Judith" she implored DON'T
beg of you'll didn't mean It'll taxa
back my consent"
TOO late!" said Judith, lifting the
glass and cycling its contents with a
strange smile.
Judith! you cannot mean to drink
it?"
Cant I, though?" the other laughed
mirthlessly. Just watch mel"
With strangled cry Rose covered
|
the sight, stood momentarily swaying.
and dropped to the floor in complete
faint
Delaying only to recognize this phe-
nomena with plying smile for the
weakness of spirit that caused it, Ju-
dith's glance darted through the win
dow and saw that which caused her to
stay her hand an instant longer.
On the topmost tier of Orders of the
building opposite, Alan Law stood
amid a little knot of amused and ami
mated laborers. one foot in the great
steel hook of the hosting tackle, both
hands clasping the chain that linked
it 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 a cry Judith flung the poison
heedlessly from her, leaped across the
room, and snatched up the street gar
ments Rose had dropped at her sisters
entrance.
In another moment she was strugs
Cling madly into them.
Before the shadow of Alan, clingina
to the hook and chain, fell athwart the