Omaha daily bee., 1914-08-30

terference-you poor little fool! How many more
lessons will you require before realizing that
mean to have my way, and that you'll cross me
only to suffer for t?"
so you've tried again." she inquired obliquey.
with tone of pity. You've offered him your
love yet another time, have your"
"Silence!" Judith cried in fury.
only to learn once more that he would rather
death than your" Rose persisted unhinching.
And so you come to take your spite out on me,
do you? You pitiful thing! Do you think mind
knowing as do know that he could never hold
you in anything but compassion and contempt?"
you will see," she said in even and frigid ac
cents. And the light of her mania leaped and
leaped again in her eyes like living flame. Il
have prepared way to make you understand what
opposition to me means ="
She waved hand toward the nearer point OF
rocks. Take them along" she commanded.
The understanding between her and her men
was apparently complete; for these last without
hesitation or further instructions marched Rose
and Barcus down to the end of the spit and on,
into the water.
1t was nearly knee-deep before Barcus was halt
ed with a savage jerk, backed up to a rock forced
despite his frenzied resistance to sit down in the
water, and swiftly. with half dozen deft bitches
OF rope and staunch knot made fast in that posi-
tion-submerged to his chest.
This accomplished, the turned attention to
Rose, flashing her in similar wise at Barcus' side
Standing just above the water-line with every
sign OF complete calm and sanity other than that
ominous Pickering in her eyes, Judith superintend-
ed the business till its conclusion then waved the
men away
Quietly, like well-trained servants they turned
their backs and marched of
And again, after a brief wait the woman laughed
her short and mirthless laugh
THE tide will be high" she said precisely at
sunset You may time your lives by that When
the dips into the sea, then will your lives 90
down with it,"
She turned on her heel and strobe swiftly away
with not so much backward glance, overlook
her men, and passed quickly from sight around the
further point of rocks.
Barcus noted that already the waters had risen
more than an inch
Humbled even in his terror by that radiant calm
that dwelt upon her, he ventured dildently: Rose
Miss Urine"
She turned her head and found the heart to
smile. Rose" she corrected gently
I'm sorry" he said-which was not at all what
he had meant to say, I've done my best. sup
pose it's wrong to give up-but they've made Il too
much for me, this time"
Il know she said gently.
"You,'-he stammered-"you're not afraid"
There is nothing to fear" she said, but
death" e..
Then" he said more bravely, after time-tbs
water now was near his ching od-bye-good
luck"
mot yet, dear friend" she returned mot yet"
The water almost level with his lips;
1t seemed strange that his throat could be so dry,
parched g..
He opened his eyes, shuddering
ITS goodbye now" he faltered.
mot yeti" her voice rang beside him, vibrant
Lookup there-along the cliff"
He lifted his gaze E.
Two men were running along the clin-and the
man in the lead was Alan. But his lead was very
scant, and the who pursued was one Of
Judiths, and stuck to the trail like bloodhound
fresh from the leash.
And now the water was at his lips: Barous
could speak without strangling
OF sudden he groaned in his heart; though
there was no possible way down the cliff still the
sight OF his friend alive and unframed had brought
with 1t thrill Of hope; that hope died az
he saw Alan stumble and go to his knees.
Before he could rise the other upon him,
with the fury of a wolf seeking the throat of a
stag.
For an instant they fought like madmen: then:
in trice, the skyline Of the clif was empty; one
or the other had tripped and fallen the brink
and falling had retained hold OF his enemy and
carried him down well.
BY no chance Barcus told himself, could either
escape uninjured.
Yet, to his amazement, he saw one man break
from the others embrace. and rise. And he who
lay still crumpled, inhuman heap upon the
sands, Judith's man.
With violent effort Barcus lifted his mouth
above water and shrieked.
ALAN! AIan Hslpl Here-at the end Of tho
point-in the water-helpl"
A precious minute was lost before Alan discov-
cred their two heads. so barely above that swiftly
rising food
Then he ran toward them he had never run
before, and as came whipped out a iack-knife
and freed its blade
Even so-since it was OF course Rose whom
Alan freed the first-Barcus was half-drowned be-
fore Alan helped him in turn up TO the beach.
And as this happened the last blood-red rim OF
the washed under by the waves
Two minutes later the lifeboat was afoat and
Mr.. Barcus, already recovered, was laboring with
the hywheel of the motor, stimulated to supreme
exertion by the sight of a party, led by Judith,
racing madly down the beach
But it was not until we'll out from shore and on
the way to the safety promised by the mainland
now readily discernible on the horzon-that any
one of them found time for speech.
Then Mr.. Barcus Strengthened up from his as
siduous attentions to the motor, and observed:
You bear a charmed life, my adventurous
friend. want TO tell you that when saw you
go over that clin made up my mind your useful
ness would be at least permanently impaired. As