Evening journal., 1914-11-16

from half q dozen throats within another instant
AS ~ from the path OF grizzly vistant from
the world beyond the grave, the throng pressed
back and cleared a way for Seneca Trine, father
Of the bride
And as the way opened and he looked Up toward
the altar and Alan standing hand in hand with
Rose while the minister invoked blessing upon
the union. added strength, the strength Of the in
sane, given to Seneca Trine.
When Alan annoyed by the disturbance in the
body OF the chapel looked round IL was to see the
aged maniac standing within dozen feet Of him;
and he looked and cried out in wonder, Trins
whipped revolver from the pocket OF his dressing
gown and swung Il steadily to bear upon Alana
head
At that instant the storm broke with internal
fury upon the land.
crash OF thunder heavy and prolonged that
Il seemed rock the very building upon It's founda-
tons, accompanied the shattering Of huge stained
glass window
A bolt Of blush flame OF dazzling brilance
slashed through the window like flaming SWORD
and smote the pistol in the hand OF Seneca Trine
dischargng the weapon even as IL struck him
dead.
As he fell, the bolt swerved and struck two 9th
down-Alan Law and the woman who had just
been made his wife.
1v-THE WIFE.
Again three days elapsed and Judith returning
from the double funeral of her father and sister
dofed her mourning for gown less somber and
more suited TO the atmosphere OF a sickroom. then
relieved the nurse In charge OF Alan.
lie remained as he had been ever since the fall
ing OF the thunderbot-in absolute coma
But he lived, and-or the physicians lied-musl
regain consciousness.
Kneellng beside his bedside Judith prayed Ions
and earnestly
door. She admitted Tom Barcus and suffered him
70 lead her into the recess OF the window where
they conversed in guarded tones in spite OF the
fact that the subject OF their communications could
% ia hasa
I've to tell You something" Barcus an
nounoed with characteristic awkwardness, "Tve
known Il for three days-ever since the wedding
IN fact-and kept IL TO myself, not knowing whoth.
er ought to tell you yet not"
lie paused. cycling her uncertainty, unhappily.
u am prepared Judith assured him calmly
You're nothing Of the sort" he countered, argu
mentative. You couldn't be. IT'S the most
ing thing imaginable See here ;"
You understand. don't you. that Alan must nev
know that Rose was killed by that lightning
stroke?"
Il mean" the noundered miserably you
see. he loved her SOL thought-Im sure It would
be best-if you can bring yourself to tito let him
20 believing Il wasn't Rose who killed, but
Judith. And that's skating so close to the truth
that Il makes no difference the Judith Alan knew
and the Judith ] knew in the beginning is gone az
completely as though she and not Rose had been
killed"
a
q understand But is it possible you don't under
stand that, n TO consent to this proposition
lend myself to a deception which must maintain
through all my life TO COMEDIAN would consider
me his wife?"
Well but-you see-you are his wife
Oh, don't think I'm of my bat I'm telling you
the plain unvarnlshed truth. You are Alan's wife
No listen TO me. You remember that day
in New York when you substituted for Rose, when
Alan tried TO elope with her and you went with
fO itV nd efo m 10 he mi od ~ a
preacherguy named Wright-and Marrophat broke
in just at the critical moment and led up the
pary?"
"wen?" she demanded breathlessly.
Barcus produced a folded yellow paper from hii
coat pocket and profered it,
Read that. Il was handed to me as best man
just before the ceremony. Seeing it was addressed
to Alan and knowing he was in no frame Of mind
to be bothered by kilograms, ] slipped II into my
pocket and forgot all about it temporarily. When
I 10 find it. took the liberty OF reading it..
But read it for yourself"
The typewriter lines Of the long message
blurred and ran together almost indecipheraby in
Judith's vision None the less, she contrived to
grasp the substance of its meaning:
WHY DIDN'T YOU WIRE ME SOONER" II
ran: MARRIAGE TO ROSE IMPOSSIBLE REV
MIR. WRIGHT INFORMED Me YOUR MARRIAGE
TO JUDITH LAST WEEK HAD GONE TOO
FAR WHEN MARROPHAT INTERRUPTED. JU-
DITH LEGALLY YOUR WIFE. WOULD HAVE
ADVISED YOU SOONER HAD YOU LET ME
HEAVEN THIS GETS TO YOU BEFORE TOO
LATE
The message signed with the name OF Alan
confidential man of business In New York.
When Judith looked up she was alone in the
ROOM but for the silent patient on his couch
Slowly almost fearfully, she crept TO his bed
side and stood looking down into -he face OF her
husband.
And while she looked Alan's lashes huttered,
his respiration quickened, faint color crept into
his pallid cheeks-and his eyes opened wide and
looked into hers.
His lips moved and breathed word Of recOs
milton:
Judith"
With low cry Of tenderness. the girl sank tc
her knees and encirced his head with her arms
Judith" she whispered hiding her face in his
bosom, Judith is
A pause; and then the feeble voice.
Then, if was mistaken If you aren't Judith
you must be Rose-my wife,
She said steadily Il your wife.
His hands fumbed with her face, closed upon
her cheeks lifted her head until her eyes must
look into his
And for many minutes he held her So oohnt
| deep into the soul OF the woman
Then quietly he said. I know
-.-rrr rpu nv n