New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1914-11-04
CHAPTER XIV.
chanseling.

CHAPTER XIV.
changeling.
In the vague, chill gray Of that I
and desolate dawn, Judith stirred
ruptly on the couch of a sleepl
night, and with the rapidity of
who has arrived at a settled purp
after long period Of doubt and ]
plexity, rose and bathed and dres
herself in negligee.
In the adjoining room she could b
small, stealthy notes.-the sou
made by her sister moving about,
preparing against the unguessabfl
ment when her rescue would be
tempted, according to the informal
conveyed in that midnight message
For chance had conspired with
insomnia to station Judith in the
cess of her darkened window,
viewing the gaunt framework of
unfinished building from an ar
which, when Alan edged out along
girder, showed him plainly in sill
cite against the sky.
She had seen him throw the We
and had heard the double thump OF
impact with the wall and floor
Roses bedchamber.
The clock was striking six as
left her room: across the street "
ingmen were streaming into the b,
ing to begin the labors of the da
Brushing unceremoniously past
drowsy and Indifferent guard in
corridor outside the door to Re
room, Judith turned the key that
manned in the lock on the outside
moved it, entered, and locked the {
behind her.
Without any surprise she found
sister already dressed to the poin-
donning her outer garments.
Rendered half-frantic by this u
pected interruption, threatening
did the perilous scheme that Alan
proposed, Rose greeted her sister
q countenance at once aghast
wrathful.
II insist that you leave this roo,
once!''
Insist by all means-and
damned! I may leave this room
may not, dear little sister. But
of us will never leave it alive"
what do you meant You T..
mean to murder me in cold b
Judith"
Not II" Judith laughed har
But, since it has pleased Destin
decree that we must both love
man-let Destiny decide betwee,
and bear the blame of murder!"
Judith"
zone moment!" Crossing to a
table. Judith took up glass IF,
tray that held a silver water-pit.
and returned with it to the table
occupied the middle of the floor. A
same time she opened q hand ii.
fast clenched and disclosed q
blue bottle with a red label shire
the warning "POISON!" !
"atrvchnine." she explained
posedly. IN solution" And EN-
the bottle into the glass.
A measure of courage returne,
Rose. do you expect to be abb
make me drink that" she demas
contemptuously.
Not but Destiny, II It will!
here" From a pocket of her dres
gown Judith produced sealed de-
playing cards. LET these declars
will Of Destiny toward us. l will /
the seal, shuffle the cards, and q
she explained, suiting action to !
THE one who gets the trey of hs
will drain that glass. Is 1t a.
gain?"
Never! oh. now know tha%
are altogether mad!"
Whipping small revolver frol
other pocket of her dressing-gow1
dith placed it on the table. rec
her hand.
You will shoot me il | do not :
sent?"
Not you-but him. II you n
little sister. l will shoot Alan
dead when he comes to keep hi
pointment with you"
With q shudder Rose bowe6s
head.
Deal" she muttered fearfully. 3
may God Judge between us!"
One by one she stripped the
from the top Of the deck, dealint8
to Rose, then to herself. 4
One by one they huttered I'll
table on either side the glass Of IS
and fell face uppermost.
The trey Of hearts fell To JUDI
There was an instant OF silent IS
ended by Rose. as Judith's hand 81
steadily toward the glass.
Judith" she implored. do
beg Of you-I didn't mean tt .
back my consent
Too late!" said Judith. liftin
glass and cycling its contents "
strange smile.
Judith! you cannot mean a.
u 9s
(To be continued