The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-11-07
And in this state Alan left him: he
had done enough; let the man shift
Tor himself from this time on.
CHAPTER XIV.
ChanaeIIna.

and desolate dawn, Judith stirred ab
ruptly on the couch of sleep!ess
night, and with the rapidly 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 consplred 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.
In Judlth's eyes his identity was un.
mistakable. She had hardly needed
the night-glasses which presently she
brought to bear upon him at the mo-
ment when he was laboriously inditing
his message-while grim death stalked
him from behind, I
She had seen him throw the watch
and had heard the double thump OF its
impact with the wall and floor Of
Roses bedchamber.
And she had witnessed with wildly
beating heart that duel in the air.
able to surmise its outcome only from
the fact that the victor spared the life
of the vanquished.
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-
manned 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 haIf-frantic by this unex
pected interruption, threatening as 1t
did the perilous scheme that Alan had
proposed, Rose greeted her sister with
a countenance at once aghast and
wrathful
What do you want?" she demanded
tensely.
ITO come to an understanding with
Won" Judith told her coolly.
"There is no understanding possible
between US: you know that as well as
l."
"Yet one there must be-"
II insist that you leave this room al
once!"
"Insist by all means-and be
damned! / may leave this room-and
l may not, dear little sister. But one
of us will never leave 1t 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 meant You cannot
mean to murder me in cold blood,
Judith?" ~ / II
ESOL Juultu Ahtg1uly.'
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 murder!"
judith"
"One moment" Crossing to side
table, Judith took up glass from
tray that held silver water:pitcher,
and 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 small
blue bottle with a red label shrleking
the warning "PolSoN!"
"Strychnine," she explained com,
posedly, Sin 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.
mot but Destiny, il 1t will! See
here" From pocket Of her dressing.
gown Judith produced a sealed deck OF
rsaying cards. LET these declare the
will OF Destiny toward us. will break
the seal, shuttle the CARDS, and deal"
abe explained, suiting action to word.
"The one who gets the trey of hearts
will drain that glass. Is 1t bar.
gain?"
Never! oh, now l know that you
are altogether mad!"
perhaps. Are you ready?" AND
Judith made al II to deal.
"No-neyer! tell you l Refused"
Rose Chartered, terrified.
"You dare not refuse"
why"
Because OF this"
Whipping a small revolver from an
other pocket OF her dressIng.gown, III
dith placed 1t on the table. ready t.
her, hand,
"You will shoot me il ! do not con,
sent?" =
eiNot Syou2but him. II you refuse
little sister, i will shoot Alan Law
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