Gunnison news-champion., 1915-05-21
ChAPTEa kkV.
ChsnseIsas

ChsnseIsaa
In the vague. ehiIl gray Of thss aull
and desolate dawn. Judith stirred ab.
raptly on the couch OF a sleeysess
night, and with the rapidny of one
who has arrived at a settled purpose
after a long period of doubt and per.
piexity, rose and bathed and dressed
herself in negligee.
In the adjoining room she could hear
small stealthy noises--the sounds
made by her sister moving about and
preparing against the ungaessabie mo.
ment when her rescue would be at.
tempted. according To the information
conveyed in that midnight message.
For chance had conspired with her
insomnia to station Judith in the re-
cess of her darkened window, idly
viewing the gaunt framework Of the
unfinished building from an angle
which, when Alan edged out along the
gir1er. showed him plainly in silhou-
ette against the sky.
In Judiths eyes his identity was IN
mstakable. She had hardly needed
the night-glasses which presently she
brought to bear upon him at the mo.
ment when he was laboriously inditine
his message-while grim death stalked
him from behind.
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 iron
the fact that the victor spared the life
Of the vanquished.
The clock was striking six as she
left her room across the street work
ingmen were streaming into the build
ing to begin the labors OF the day.
Brushing unceremoniously past the
6rowsy and Indifferent guard in the
corridor outside the door to Roses
room, Judith turned the key that re-
mained In the lock on the outside, re-
moved it, entered, and locked the door
behind her.
without any surprise she found her
sister already dressed to the point Of
donning her outer garments.
Rendered halffrantic by this unex.
pected interruption. threatening as It
did the perilous scheme that Alan had
proposed. Rose greeted her sister with
. countenance at once aghast and
wrathful.
What do you wants ?" she demanded
tensely.
ITO come to an understanding with
you" Judith told her coolly.
There Is no understanding possible
between us: you know that as well as
l."
yet one there must be-"
Il insist that you leave this room at
once!"
Insist by all means-and be
damned! may leave this room-and
| may not. dear little sister. But one
of us will never leave it alive"
With a start of terror. Rose shrank
back from this strange, wild thing
that wore the very shape and sem-
blance of herself
what do you mean? You cannot
mean to murder me in cold blood.
Judith"
Not II" Judith laughed harshly.
But, since 1t has pleased Destiny to
decree that we must both love one
man-let Destiny decide between us
and bear the blame Of murder!"
Judith"
"One moment" Crossing to Q side
table, Judith took up a 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 a red label shriekine
the warning ''POISON,"
"Strychnine." she explained com
posedly, ''in solution" And emptied
the bottle into the glass.
A measure of courage returned 10
Rose. DO you expect to be able TO
make me drink that" she demanded
contemptuously-
Not but Destiny. II IT win! See
here" From a pocket of her dressing
gown Judith produced sealed deck of
playing cards. Let these declare the
Will Of Destiny toward us. | win break
the seal. shuttle the cards. and deal
she explained. suiting action to word.
-1ne one y5ho gets TIE trey of hears
will drain that glass. Ii IT . bar
gain7"
"Neveri oh, now l know that you
are altogether mad"
Perhaps Are you reAdyr And
Judith made as if to deal.
~No-never' | tell you 1 refpaei"