The Washington herald., 1914-09-20

able moment when her rescue would be attempted.
according to the information conveyed in that mid
night message.
For chance had conspired with her insomnia to
station Judith IN the recess of her darkened win
dow, idly viewing the gaunt framework of the
finished building from an angle which, when Alan
edged out along the girder, showed him plainly In
silhouette against the sky.
In Judiths eyes his identity was unmistakable.
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 workngmen were streaming into
the build ng to begin the labors Of the day.
Brushing unceremoniousy past the drovsy and
Indifferent guard in the corridor outside the door
to Roses IN, Judith turned the key that re-
NAMED in the lock on the outside, removed It,
enterer, and locked the door behind her.
Without any surprise she found her sister al
ready dressed to the point Of donning her outer
garments.
Rendered haIEfrantic by this unexpected inter
ruption, threatening it did the perilous scheme
that Alan had proposed Rose greeted her sister
with q countenance at once aghast and wrathful
Il insist that you leave this room at oncei"
Insist by all means-and be damned! l may
leave this room-and 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 sembance of herself
What do you mean? You cannot mean to mur.
der me in cold blood, Judith"
Not T." Judith laughed harshly. But, since It
has pleased Destiny to decree that must both
love one man-let Destiny decide between and
bear the blame Of murder!"
Judith"
"One moment" Crossing to a side table Judith
took up glass from a tray that held a 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 a small blue bottle with red label
shrieking the warning "PoISoN!"
"Strychnine," she explained composedly, "in so
luton" And emptied the bottle into the glass.
measure Of courage returned to Rose. DO
you expect to be able to make me drink that?"
she demanded contemptuously.
Not but Destiny, if It will! See here" From
a pocket Of her dressing-gown Judith produced a
sealed deck Of playing cards Let these declare
the will OF Destiny toward US. I will break the
seal, shufhe the cards. and DEAL" she explained,
suiting action to word. The one who gets the
Trey OF Hearts will drain that glass. Is it bar.
gain?"
Never! Oh, now I know that you are altogether
mad"
Whipping small revolver from another pocket
of her dressinggown, Judith placed 1t on the table
ready to her hand
You will shoot me If do not CONSENT"
Not you-but him. If you refuse, little sister,
! will shoot Alan Law dead when he comes to
keep his appointment with you"
With 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
The Trey of Hearts fell to Judith
There was instant Of silent dread, ended by
Rose. as Judith's hand moved steadily toward the
glass
Judith" she implored. DON'T beg of you
/ 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,"
Can't I. though" the other laughed mirthlessy.
Just watch me-"
With a strangled cry Rose covered her face with
her hands to shut out the sight stood momentarily
swaying, and dropped to the floor in a complete
faint.
Delaying only to recognize this phenomena with
a plying smile for the weakness of spirit that
caused it, her glance darted through the window
and saw that which caused her to stay her hand
instant longer.
On the topmost tier Of grders of the building op-
posite. Alan Law stood amid a little knot Of
amused and animated laborers one foot in the
great steel hook of the hostfng tackle, both hands
ciasping the chain that linked it to the gigantic
block.
And as Judith stared he smiled at something
said by one Of those about him. looked back and
waved hand to some person invisible
Immediately the arm began to lift, the tackle to
move slowly through the blocks. Very gently he
swung up and outward
With a cry Judith flung the poison heedlessIy
from her, leaped across the room, and snatched I'D
the street garments Rose had dropped at her sis
ter's entrance
In another moment she was struggling madly
into them
Before the shadow Of Alan clinging to the hook
and chain, fell athwart the window, she was
dressed and clambered out upon the sill
Sweetheart! My bravest little woman"
By way Of answer Judith breathed only a word
of tenderness.
The hook hung steady within six inches of the
window-ledge. Alan extended HIS arm.
Nothing to fear, except lest hold you too tight,
dear one!"
Immediately they were swung away from the
window, over toward the opposite sidewalk, and
gently lowered to the street.
Safe and sound-and not a soul over there the
wiser yeti" he declared with derisiye nod
toward the home Of Trine. Come along. Here's
limousine waiting. In twenty minutes well be