Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-08-21
Shared
BY J. U. GlESY a ]. 3. SMITH
Authors OF Semi.Dual Stories
Copyright
The Frank A. Munsey Co.
The Frank A. Munsey Co.


AS always before. ne had foreseen
the course OF this matter Beyond
doubt then, he knew that Lucille was
taken--and in that light | lost NY
anxiety for her.
Semi would not have allowed her
capture to occur IL any material injury
TO her must result The idea which
had come to me just before he called
Ne gained strength while I set taA.s
waiting for the unknown person had
summoned to arrive.
no longer doubted that Semi Dua,
had planned the whole matter a II
had happened. II so. he knew r:Laes
Lucille Foote was held captive CD
would free her in good time. | wish.
ed the unknown would come.
was growing anxious to get AssA
into the game.
Footsteps paused outside. A -
fell on the door.
called reply, and the door swuns
inward. There entered a man VINO
impressed me as being a member on
the theatrical profession, or one who
had been. He looked like secondrate
actor, at any event.
you Mr. Glace-Mr. Gordon
Glace?" he inquired.
Correct" said l.
He came over and deposited a fat.
black case which he carried on he
bed. Without delay. he began loosen.
Ing couple of clasps which held It's
two sides together.
Take off your coat and collar. an
roll up your sleeves above the elbow"
he directed.
saw the whole proposition. was
to be made up. The flat case was a
huge makeup outfit
He had 1t open now and was taking
out various articles of apparel, mostly
of silk and satin, as it seemed to me.
These h" tossed on the bed
He took up a bottle and a small
sponge, and approached me where |
stood in my shirt sleeves
"Sit down, if you please" he re-
auired
complied
"A little pcric acid for your skin,
sir, he went on, pulling the cork and
wetting the sponge. "'Taint strong,
an twill give your skin just about tn
right touch Of yellow. Better shut
your eyes for minute
He began to sweep the sponge over
my face and on down my neck to we'll
below the band of my shirt The stuff
prickled slightly, but dried quickly.
sat with my eyes fast shut till he
finished my face and picked up a
hand; then looked on, while a deli.
cate yellowisf shade took the place OF
the natural color OF my skin
In a way, the man was an artist
For instance. he shaded his staining 10
simulate nature. making it dark and
even spotted on the outer and upper
sides of the forealms. lighter on the
bottoms and insides. and lighter still
in the palms, where he merely touch.
ed lightly with the wel.nigh dried
sponge.
AN now for your hair" he re.
marked - he put up the bottle of
stain
He took NJ another flask and mois
tened small comb in the fluid. He
began to comb my hair quickly.
"lt should be several shades dark
err he explained, "an' this will do IL
in q few minutes. Though youll have
to have it cut later. as the color won't
fade none to speak Of
Never mind that" urged.
He finished my hair and went once
more to his case. He came back with
yet another bottle
With small brush he touched the
outer corsers Of my eyelids slightly.
I felt the stuff draw and pucker. Civ.
ing my lids tense. uplifted feeling.
He nodded IN apparent Satisfaction,
caught up a stick Of paste, and attack.
ed my lips stood back and viewed me
made final touch here and there. and
tossed the cosmetic back into the
case.
And now. sir, II you'll take off
your clothes an put on these others -"
He indicated the silken garments,
lost no time in following his direc.
tions. | slipped out of my shirt. trous.
ers, shoes and socks. and lifted The
clothing from the bed In the mean.
time the man was gathering up my
discarded apparel and folding II IN to
put In his case.
I'll will le -aeal 10 The hotel he told
---.