The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1915-02-03


mot ~" Judith laughed harshly.
"But, since it 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 a side
table, Judith took up glass from a
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 a hand till then
fast clenched and disclosed small
blue bottle with red label shrieking
the warning "POISON!"
"Strychnine, she explained COM
posedly, ''in solution" And emptied
| the bottle into the glass.
A measure of courage returned to
Rose. do you expect to be able to
/ make me drink that@' she demanded
contemptuousN
Not but Destiny, if it will See
here" From pocket of her dressing
gown Judith produced sealed deck of
playing cards. LET these declare the
will of Destiny toward us. l will break
! the seal, shuttle the cards, and DEAL"
she explained. suiting action to word
'rhe one who gets the trey of hearts
will drain that glass. Is it a bar
gain?"
Never! Oh, now know that you
are altogether mad!"
Perhaps. Are you ready?" And
Judith made as if to deal.
"No-never! | tell you I refused"
Rose chartered, terrified.
You dare not refuse"
"Why?"
Because of this"
Whipping a small revolver from an
other pocket of her dressing-gown, Jul
dith placed it on the table, ready to
her hand.
"You will shoot me if do not con-
sent?"
Not you-but him. If you refuse,
little sister, l will shoot Alan Law
pointment with you
"Ah!" Rose cried in mingled fright
and amazement "How did you find
out?"
Never mind Is it a bargain, nows
about the trey of hearts? Remember;
l shall keep my word about this pisl
toll"
With a shudder Rose bowed her
head
Deal" she muttered fearfully, land
may God judge between u.s."
One by one she stripped the cards
from the top of the deck, dealing first
to Rose, then to herself.
One by one they futtered to the
table on either side the glass of poison,
and fell face uppermost.
The trey of hearts fell to Judith.
There was an instant of silent dread,
ended by Rose. as Judith hand moved
steadily toward the glass.
Judith" she implored Don't
beg of you-I didn't mean it take
back my consent"
TOO late!" said Judith, lifting the
glass and cycling it's contents with a
strange smile.
Judith! you cannot mean to drink
it?"
Cant I, though? ?" the other laughed
mirthlessly. Just watch mel"
With 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 pho
nomena with plying smile for the
weakness of spirit that caused it. Jul
diths glance darted through the win.
dow and saw that which caused her to
stay her hand an instant longer
On the topmost tier of Orders of the
building opposite, Alan Law stood
amid a little knot of amused and ami.
mated laborers, one foot in the great
steel hook of the hosting tackle, both
hands clasping the chain that linked
it to the gigantic block.
4 And as Judith stared, he smiled al
/ something said by one of those about
! him, looked back, and waved a hand
| to some person invisible
! Immediately the arm began to lift,
! the tackle to move slowly through the
blocks. Very gently he was swung w
| and outward.
| With cry Judith flung the poison
i heedlessly from her, leaped across the
room, and snatched up the street gar
ments Rose had dropped at her sisters
entrance
In another moment she was strug
Cling madly into them.
Before the shadow of Alan, clingins
to the hook and chain, fell athwart the