The Ordway new era., 1914-11-20
cnAprGa XIV.

01WD8u G0I0 klU10
CHAPTER XIV.
chanosllns.
In the vague. chill gray of that dull
and desolats dawn. Judith stirred alb
ruptly ON the couch Of . slecpless
night. and with the rapidity Of one
who has arrived at . settled purpose
after . long period Of doubt and per
plexity. rose and hathed and dressed
herself in negliges.
In the adjoining room she could hear
small, stealthy notes.-the sounds
made by her sister moving about and
preparing against the unsuessable mo
ment when her rescue would b At.
tempted. according 70 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
unnnished building from an angle
which. when Alan edged out along the
girCer. showed him plainly In silhou.
cite against the sky.
In Judith's eyes his identity was un.
mistakable. She had hardly needed
the nisht-glasses which presently she
brought 70 bsar upon him 1t Tie mo-
ment when he was laboriously inditiAg
his msssassrwhils grim death stalled
him from behind.
She had seen him throw the watch
and had heard the double thump OF it,
Impact with the wall and door Of
Roses beAchamber.
And she had. Witnessed with wildly
beating heart that duel In the air
able 70 surmise its outcome only from
the fact that the victor spared the life
OF the vanquishsd.
The clock was striking SIX ~ 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 indinerent guard in the
corridor outside the door to Roses
room, Judith turned the key that re-
manned In the lock ON the outside. re-
moved It. entered. and locked the door
behind her.
Without any surprise she found her
sister slready dressed to the point Of
donning her outer garments.
Rendered half.frantic b. this unsx.
pected Interruption. Threatening - II
did the perilous scheme that Alan had
proposed. Rose greeted her sister with
. countenance at once aShast and
wrathful.
What do you wantr' che demanded
tensely.
ITO come to an understanding with
you." Judith told her coolly.
There Il no understandiag possible
between rs: you know that ~ wen -
l."
"Yet one there must ~.
Il insist that you leavs tAis room at
once!" =
Insist by all msans--anA be
damned! may leave .tAis room-and
I may not. dear little sister. But one
Of US will never leave II alive"
With . start Of terror. Rose shrank
back from this strange, vfld thing
that wore the very shape and sem
blance Of herself. ''
What do you meant You cannot
mean to murder mo in cold blood.
Judith!"
mot 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 murdsris
Judith"
"One moment!" Crossing to Q side
table. Judith took up . glass from
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 till then
fast clenched and disclosed . small
blue bottle with a red label shrieking
the warning "PoIsoN!"
~Strychnine." sne explained COM
posedly. "in solution. And emptied
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
mot I-but Destiny, II It will! See
here" From 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.