Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1924-09-24
Stage Set for
Last Act
By JANE OSBORN

Judith Blackstone had told him frank
ly that she loved him when he asked
her to marry him. That was last May
and then she had dashed off with
her sister-in-law, Daphne, to their
summer home on the side of Dale
mountain, to be gone for months, tell
ing him definitely that there must be
no exchange of letters between them.
IF we were engaged in the regular
way we'd be good for nothing else all
summer but writing everlasting daily
letters and worrying when letters
didn't come on time" Judith had said.
$50 don't write and then when you
have your vacation the first of Sep
TENDER you may come up to Dale
mountain and we can talk of a def
mite engagement then"
At the beginning of the warm
weather it had been definitely agreed
that Robert should have no vacation
until September, but by the close of
July he found himself in such a state
of anxiety, because of his inability to
hear from Judith. that he decided that,
come what might, he would take a
week off from his work and go to her.
About all that Robert Terry knew
If Judith'S arrangements on Dale
mountain was that she and her wild
owed sister-in-law lived together in a
cabin some quarter mile off from the
club lodge where they and the other
members of the club had their meals
together.
Robert Terry dispatched a letter, of
the briefest sort, to tell Judith that
he was coming. Judith promptly tele
graphed back: Don't come now.
Much preoccuped. VIII write"
The result of this telegram was that
Robert Terry took the first train he
could catch that carried him in the
direction of Dale mountain. He was
ready to fight the most formidable of
rivals en- the strength of the vivid
recollection of Judiths simple, Terry,
love you"
Twelve hours later Terry found
himself In the nearest railroad station
ten miles from the Dale mountain
lodge He arranged with the local
garage man to motor him up the
mountain road to the club encamp-
ment. 1t was nearing eight O'Clock
when Terry finally found his way to
the Blackstone cottage. He stepped
across the wide veranda to find the
place obviously deserted for the time
being.
Robert Terry felt his courage
mounting. Judith had said that she
loved him. She had intimated that
she would marry him. They were
virtually engaged. Then, argued Ter
ry going to the front door and trying
the knob, since Judith had no broth
ers she lived alone with a widowed
sster-in-law, he was her rightful male
protector. The door knob gave as he
turned 1t vigorously. If she was pre-
occupied" II was his business to find
out why Thus concluding Robert
Terry let himself into the cabin. He
struck match. found a candle on a
rustic table and lighted it. He saw
the outlines of the room-quite large
and furnished in keeping with the
rough-timbered interior This room
was in order but as Robert observed
the adjoining room he was struck by
the disorder Of 1t.
Two trunks, drawn away from the
wall, were wide open, the trunk trays
placed on the floor with dainty clothes,
slippers, parasols, and hats strewn
about. Quite clearly some one was
making preparations for hasty de-
parture He recognized a rose-col-
ored frock Of Judith's. On table
was a tray containing half-eaten
sandwich and beside 1.-THE sight of
it sickened nina large and mischiev-
Gus looking revolver. Examining more
closely he saw bits of torn paper about
the floor, and an overturned chair
obviously there had been some sort
of struggle.
Cautiously Robert approached the
revolver, about to see whether it was
loaded or discharged, when he heard
footsteps on the veranda, the turning
of the knob and then light steps in
the next room. Followed a cry of
fright-It was Judith's voice. Robert
breathed a prayer of thanksgiving.
At least she was still breathing,
"Daphne.' she called, there's light.
Some one has been here"
Robert Terry did what he consid-
cred the most considerable thing that
he could under the circumstances. He
coughed, gently but distinctly. Then
he strobe forward where the two wom-
en- could see him.
II know you didn't want me to
come" he said facing Judith and, as
he did so, feeling the full intensity OF
his love for her. 81 came anyway.
hope it isn't too late"
But what's up2' asked Robert
waving an agitated hand in the d.
rection of the open trunk, the scat
tered clothes and the revolver"
Judith put two arms out and actual