Evening journal., 1914-09-21

OF doubt and perplexity. rose and bathed and
dressed herself in negIigee
In the adjoining she could hear small,
steathy notes.-the sounds made by her sister
moving about and preparing against the unguess
able moment when her rescue would be attempted.
according 20 the information conveyed in that mid
night message.
For chance had conspired with her insomnia 70
station Judith in the recess OF her darkened win
dow, idly viewing the gaunt framework OF the I'M
finished building from angle which. when Alan
edged out along the girder. showed him plainly In
silhouette against the sky
In Judiths his identity was unmstakable.
She had seen him throw the watch and had y
heard the double thump Of it's impact with the wall
and floor OF Roses bedchamber
And she had witnessed with wildly beating heart
that duel In the air-able TO surmse It's outcome
only from the fact that the victor spared the life
OF the vanQuished
The clock striking ak she left her
ncross the street workingmen we're streaming into
the building 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 70
NAMED IN the lock the outside removed H.
entered. 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 hnitfrantic by this unexpected inter
rupton, threatening as It did the perilous scheme
that Alan had proposed Rose greeted her sister
with countenanoe at once aghast and wrathful.
Il insist that you leave this room at oncel"
Insist by all means-and be damned may
loaye this room--and may not, dear little sister.
But one Of us win never leave Il alive"
With a start Of terror Rose shrank back from
this strange Wild thing that wore the very shape
and sembance Of herself
What do you meant You cannot mean to muir
der me IN cold blood Judith"
Not II" Judith laughed harshly. "But, since II
has pleased Destiny to decree that must both
love man--iet Destiny decide between and
bear the blame Of murderl"
Judith"
"one moment" Crossing to a 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 TIL then fast clenched
and disclosed a small blue bottle with a red label
shrieking the warning "PO1sONi"
"strychnine" she explained composedy, "in so
luton" And empted the bottle into the glass
OF courage returned to Rose. DO
you expect TO be able TO make me drink that?"
she demanded contemptuously.
Not but Destiny n II Will See here" From
n pocket OF her dressing-gown Judith produced
sealed deck OF playing cards Let these declare
the will OF Destiny toward us. l viii break the
SEAL shuttle the cards. and DEAL" she explained.
suiting action TO word. "The one who gets the
Trey OF Hearts will drain that glass Is II a bar.
gain7'
Never oh. now know that you are altogether
madl"
whipping a small revolver from another pocket
her dressing Judltn placed IL on the taDtei
ready to her hand.
You will shoot me II I do not consent7~
Not you-but him. II you refuse little sister
will shoot Alan Law dead when he comes TO
keep his appointment with you"
with a shudder Rose bowed her head.
Deal" she muttered fearfuly. "and may God
judge between usi"
One by one she stripped the cards from the top
Of the deck, dealing first to Rose then 10 herself
The Trey OF Hearts fell TO Judith.
There was instant Of silent dread. ended by
Rose. Judith's hand moved steadily toward the
glass.
Judith" she implored. Don't beg Of you
didn't mean it, take back my consent"
TOO latel" said Judith. lifting the glass and
cycling its contents with a strange smile.
judith you cannot to drink it7"
Can't I, thought" the other laughed mirthlessy.
Just watch mel"
With q strangled cry Rose covered her face with
her hands to shut out the sight, stood momentarily
swaying, and dropped to the floor In 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 girders OF the building op
roste Alan Law stood amid little knot OF
amused and animated laborers, foot In the
great steel hook OF the hosting tackle both hands
clasping the chain that linked it to the gigantic
block.
And as Judith stared. he smiled at something
said by Of those about him, looked back, and
waved hand TO person invisible
Immediately the began to lift the tackle to
move slowly through the blocks. Very gently no
swung up and outward
With a cry Judith flung the poison heedlessy
from her. leaped across the room. and snatched up
the street garments Rose had dropped at her sis
ters entrance
In another moment she was struggling madly
into them.
Before the shadow Of Alan, clingng to the hooK
and chain, fell athwart the window, she was
dressed and clambered out upon the sill
Sweetheart Ny bravest little womani"
BY way Of answer Judith breathed only 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 tight
dear onel"
Immediately they were swung away from the
window, over toward the opposite sidewalk and
gently lowered to the street
safe and sound-and not soul over there the
wiser as yeti" he declared with derisive nod
toward the home OF Trine. Come along. Here's
limousine waiting. In twenty minutes Wen b.
l. IL Toro uuffh