Evening journal., 1914-11-16

iar better so. Judith felt she corid not trust
herself to say farewell to him without breaking
down and confessing the utter wretchedness that
threatened to overwhem her each time she forced
herself to face the thought that this parting must
be final.
Like thief she stole across the creaking floor
TO Alans side, hesitated, bent her head to his and
touched her lips to his cheek-a light
that he slept in ignorance OF It.
Then, she lifted her head and stood erect
bosom convulsed with silent sobs, she looked
squarely into the face OF Rose
1.-THE OLD ADAM.
long minute elapsed before either woman
moved or spoke
Trans6xed beside Aan's chair. steadying herself
with hand upon its back Judith stared at the
figure in the doorway, in temper at once discom-
fitted and defiant With this she suffered a phase
OF increduiity, able to persuade herself
that this truly Rose who confronted her-Rose
whose sweet and gentle nature had ever served as
the butt Of Judiths supreme contempt and ruthless
ridicule.
Here was revolution with vengeance, when
Rose threatened and Judith shrankl
It as if the women had exchanged natures
while they slept
The countenance that Rose showed her sister
was thundercloud rent by the lurid lightning Of
her angry eyes Her pose tense and alert,
like the pose OF an animal set to spring In her
hand hung a revolver.
And slowly. toward the end Of that long, mute
the weapon and its muzzle lifted.
Remarking this a fash OF her one-time temper
quickened Judith. OF a sudden, with a start, she
crossed the floor in single, noiseless stride, and
threw herself before her sister
''Well?" she demanded hotly. What are you
waiting for? Nobody's stopping you; why don't
you shoot?"
The upward movement Of the hand was checked:
the weapon hung level to Judith's breast-as level
and unequivocal as the glance that probed her eyes
fba fona NJ as hp demanded.
What we're you doing there?"
IF you must know from what you already
know on the evidence OF your eyes-I was bidding
goodby to the man love-kssing him without his
knowledge or consent before leaving him TO you
for good and ALL"
What do you mean?"
THAT I'm going away-that I cant stand this
situation any longer. Marrophat and Jimmy
dead my fathers helpless-and mean to see that
he remains so. Nothing. then, stands in the way
OF your marrying Alan but And such being
the case-and because he's dear to he is
to you-Im going to take myself on and keep out
of the way"
For fear lest he find out that you love him."
Judith's lip curled. do you think him witless
he doesn't know that already"
And so you leave him to me out Of your char
ityl Is that it?"
ANY way you like But II it's so intolerable to
you to think that dare love him and confess II
to you-if you begrudge me the humiliation OF
stopping to kiss who doesn't want my kisses
If you are so afraid Of losing him while live
and love him-very we'll them"
With passionate gesture Judith tore open the
bosom of her waist, offering her flesh to the muz-
ze Of the revolver.
cry broke from the lips of Rose that was like
the cry Of a forlorn child punished with cruelty
that passes its understanding She fell back
against the wall The revolver swept up through
the air-but its mark her own head rather
than Judths bosom
But before her finger found strength to pull the
trigger the at the table startled from his sleep
by the sound of angry voices, leaped from his chair
with violence that sent IL Gathering TO the floor.
and hurled himself headlong across the room. i'm
prisoning the wrist Of his betrothed with hand
while the other wrested the weapon away and
passed it to Judith.
"Rose," he cried thickly, what does this mean? ?
Are you mad? Judith"
Dragging the bosom Of her waist together, Judith
thrust the weapon into its holster and turned
BE kind to her, Alan" she said in uncertain
voice: "She didn't understand and-and goaded
her beyond endurance, I'm afraid Forgive me-
but be kind TO her alwaysl"
Somehow, blindly she stumbled out Of the cabin
into the open possessed by thought whose
temptation stronger than her powers Of resist
ence. What Rose had failed to accomplish might
now serve TO resolve Judiths problem None
she told herself bitterly would seek TO hinder her
But she meant so to arrange the matter that none
should suspect and be moved to interfere
Late though the afternoon hour was, the bust
ness or hydraulic mining still engaged the undl
vided attention of every man in the camp. None
noticed the girl she sped up the road toward the
clin-at least, If any did, it was without re
marking the symptoms OF the hysteria which was
az the bottom of this mad impulse toward self
destruction.
And yet. such is the Inconsistency Of the human
animal, the instinct for selfpreservation was
stronger than her purpose: when touring car
swung round the mountain and shot toward her
she checked hastily and Jumped aside in ample
time TO escape being down.
The next instant the machine was lurching to a
halt and the sonorous accents OF Seneca Trine
we're saluting her:
judith You here! What the devil! Whereve
you been? Where are Marrophat and Jimmy?"
Dead" the girl replied, sententious, eyeing him
strangely.
"Dead?" he echoed. Who's dead?" CLEAN
of internal JOY lighted up his grim and lowering
countenance. You don't mean 70 tell me Alar
Law"
NO" she cut him short again. Il to tel
you that Marrophat and Jimmy are dead"
Il don't believe it," the old screamed
aghast Il won't believe it. You're lying to me
YOU Jade. You're lying"
She indicated with a gesture two forms that la,
al a little distance back from the roadside, motion
less beneath a sheet OF csnvss-the bodies o
Trine's creatures. recovered by the mining gam