The Ordway new era., 1914-11-06

count, surrounded by lot OF unsym-
pathetic boxes and barrels that had
seen better days. And when l came TO
and started to crawl unostentatiousiy
away. / was Just In time to witness the
landing of your amiable sister. that
gang Of cutthroats she keeps on the
pay roll. and Alanin company with as
choice crew Of scoundrels as you'd
care to see. gathered from q rev
words that leaked out Of the back door
Of the barroom. that 1t was as had
thought-Judith had stolen q boat
from the ship that picked her up. and
rammed II on Norton's reef; and after
she gathered Alan in the schooner OF
these smugglers happened along. and
she hailed It and struck bargain with
the, captain and signed co-partnership
articles. or something like that. Any
way, her lot and the islanders were
soon ~ thick ~ thieves, and tanking
up 10 sociably that actually got
chance to whisper . word to Alan and
tell him you were all right. and that
he'd hnd MS both down here on the
beach. II luck served him with An es-
cape. That was all got chance to
say. for Judith marched up Just then
and yanked him OF to his cell. mean
to say. he's locked up now in little
stone hut on the edge of the clin. with
the door guarded and the window oyer
looking = sheer drop Of thirty feet or
30 to the beach. When I'D seen that
much calculated It was about time
for me to get quit Of that neishbor-
hood. before Mam'selle Judith nicked
me with the evil eye"
"You don't think she saw your" the
girl cried.
"I don't think o." Barcus allowed
gravely; and then, lifting his gaze. he
added ~ he rose IN . bound: Il Just
know she did-that's all.
In another instant he was battling
might and main with three willing ruff
fans. who had come suddenly into
view round . shoulder of rock: but his
efforts were shortlived. foredoomed to
failure. He was weakened with suffer.
ing and fattgue-and the three we're
'resh and had the courage at least Of
their numbers. He was overborne In
. twfnkling. and had his face ground
brutaily into the sand while his hands
were made fast with stout rope behind
his back. And when he ross, It was
to nnd. ~ he had anticipated. that
Roses resistance had been as futile
AZ his own; she, too, was captive. her
hands bound like his. the huge and un-
clean paw Of one Of Judlth's crew cru
ally clamped npon her shoulders.
They were granted time to exchange
mo- more. than one despairing glance
when curt laugh fairly chilled the
blovd In Mr. Barcus. and he swung
sharply between his two guards to
confront Judith Trine..
The woman he saw at hrst glance,
was in one Of her most dangerous
moods-if. Barcus mentally qualified.
there was = pin to choose between her
moads. But now. beyond dispute. she
exhibited. . counEsnancs. new. h his
experiences with hen. and one well cal
culated TO appali. M
Her face was bloodless. even - her
lips were white with the curb she put
upon her passion. Her eyes wers-lurid
with the glare Of rage approaching
mania. Her hands trembled, her lips
quivered. Ill her actions were abrupt
with nervousness. s.. n
He was BY NO means poorspifited,
but he shrank openly from the look
she gave him. and was relieved when
she. with sneer. passed him by and
planted hsrself squarsly before her
sister.
'wellr" she, demanded. brusquely.
How much longer do you think I'm
going to tolerate your interference-
you poor little fool! How many more
lessons will you require before realis-
ing that mean to have my way, and
that you'll cross me only to suffer
for it?"
The courage Of the ether girl won
the unstinted admiration Of Mr.. Bar
Gus. Far from cringing. she seemed
to find fresh heart In her sisters chal-
lenge. Her head was high, her glance
level with illimitable contempt a. she
replied:
$50 you've tried againf she in.
quired obliquely. with ., tone Of pity.
You've offered him your love yet an
other time. have your
"Silencei" Judith cried in fury.
"Only to learn once more that he
would rather death than your" Rose
persisted, unfiinching. "And SO you
come to take your spite out on me.
do youf You pitiful thing! Do you
think / mind-knowing AZ do now
that he could never hold you in any.
thing but compassion and contemptf'
For an instant there was silence: by
the scorn OF, her sister the heat Of
Jndith's fury had been transformed