The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1914-12-11

uonnlnS ner outer garments. -
Rendered half.frantic by tins unex.
pected interruption, threatening as IL
did the perilous scheme that Alan had
proposed, Rose greeted her sister with
countenance at once aghast and
wrathful
What do you want?" she demanded
tensely.
ITO come to an understandings with
YOU" Judith told her coolly.
There is no understanding possible
between us: you know that as we'll as
l."
Yet one there must be-"
Il insist that you leave this room at
once!"
Insist by all means-and he
damned! l may leave this room-and
l may not, dear little sister. But one
of us will never leave it alive"
With start OF terror, Rose shrank
back from this strange, wild thing
that wore the very shape and sem
blance of herself
What do you mean? You cannot
mean to murder me in cold blood.
Judith?"
Not T." Judith laughed harshlv.
But. since t. has pleased Destiny TO
decree that we must 18Th love one
man-let Destiny decKe between us
ard bear the blame ofmurder!"
Judith"
one ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS to side
table. Judith TOOK up glass from n
tray that held silver water-pitcber
kShd returned with it to the table that
occupied the middle of the floor. At the
same time she opened hand till then
fast clenched and disclosed a small
blue bottle with red label shrieking
the warning "POISON!"
"Strychnine," she 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
contemptuously.
Not but Destiny, il 1t 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!"
Perhaps. Are you ready?" And
Judith made as If to deal
"No-never! / tell you l refused"
Rose chattered, terrified.
You dare not refuse"
"Why?"
Because of this"
Whipping small revolver from an
other pocket OF her dressing-gown, Ju-
dith placed it on the table, ready to
her hand
"You will shoot me if do not con-
sent?"
"Not you-but him. II you refuse,
litt. sister l will shoot Alan Law
dead when he comes to keep his ap-
pointment with you"
"Ah!" Rose cried in mingled fright
and amazement. How did you find
out?"
Never mind. Is il q bargain, now,
about the trey of hearts? Remember,
shall keep my word about this pis-
tol."
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 first
to Rose, then to herself
One by one they fiuttered to the
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-I take
back my consent"
Too late!" said Judith, lifting the
glass and eyeing its contents with a
strange smile
Judith! you cannot mean to drink
it?"
Cant 7. thought" the other laughed
mirthlessiy. Just watch mel"
Win q stranglcd CRY Rose covered
her face with her hands 20 smut on;
tue sic.t, stood momcnlariv sway..
and cropped to the moor IN - CO ap..
iGMt
Delaying only to recognize this r'
nome1a with a pi,ying smile fol
~ 3Ercss q spirit that caused il
oth'a glance dar,ed through the
COW aad saw thas which caused hCr
stay her hand an instant longer
On the tcpmCst tier oil L,rl a.s OF