Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-07-03

The Web !
of Destiny /
BY J. U. GtESY 4 ]. B. SMITH (
Authors OF Semi'Dual Stories I
Copyright, (
The Frank A. Munsey Co. I


Her profile told me she was think
Ing and would rather not be disturbed
ty more words. let my eyes wander
from her face out over the moon
drenehed landscape, silvered into 4
weird beauty.
Far off TO the right point of red
dish light winked from dark blot
hut in the wilderness OF sage
watched It dwindle and die behind us.
Lucille Foote drew a long, qulverng
sigh.
You are right, Mr.. Glaze; that man
shall pay"
A tall figure appeared in the door at
our backs and | recognized Dual. He
stepped out on the platform and stood
behind us.
"Eyen now the hand Of his fate Is
driving him into the web OF the law
BIZ remarked. Il have listened TO the
last part Of your conversation, and
Gordon has told you broadly OF my
belief He is right. His fate shall
oyertake the betrayer Of your sister,
.My sister," Lucille repeated in sur.
prised accents.
I'VE are all children of the one
Father, all earthly brothers and sis
: ters" said Semi Dual. III We could
only remember that fact, | perceive
that the death of this girl has affected
you dee,!y.
III is tor al reason tlat | have
spoken. because after the nfatt r Of
Miss Lawton shall have been brought
TO a close, my next act shall be to en-
able YOU to apprehend this other girl's
betTayer'
Lucille lifted her eyes and gazed in
10 his while | sat silent in the grip
Of the situation. Then without one
word she rose and turned into the car
behind us, and as she went | heard
her sob in hard dry way
turned to Semi Dual
Il wonder what is the secret Of that
girls life?' remarked
Il think that is her secret, my
friend" he replied.
And you mean to take up the case
of this other girl"
why not?' said Semi.
"And you win be able to find the
man who betrayed her."
did you ever know me 10 fail to
find man, Gordon he queried with
a smile.
And how about our case!"
| ran on now that the ice was brok.
en- and he seemed all at once the old
Dual / knew.
"Will We find The Lawton girl in
time, Semi? Why have you shut me
out as you have? What is it that
makes you so different in ths?'
Necessity" he answered. II have
hurt you haven't l. Gordon? My
friend, believe me that | would not
have done it, save for the vital need
In all that do. salye your hurts with
that"
"Oh, knew there was good rea
SON" | began with the sudden feeling
that had been childish.
Dual smiled upon me.
Gordon" he said, "in This case
this matter of a little human fly in the
web Of a spider every step OF our
course thus far has been fraught with
danger unreallzed by you And, my
friend 1t is best that you do not
see, est in your knowledge you blum
der.
Even in this half explanation my
words doubtless seem cryptic. and
must continue to do so, until | shall
have lifted the fly from the web once
more. Hence \ ask you to trust me
wholly, and do whatever | ask with.
Out question. In so much you can
serve me, and the little human fly.
Win you follow me blindly my
triend?"
DO YOU need ask" | faltered.
"Afier all you have taught ne, ] was
y tool not to have understood. Still
am glad we had this conversation,
because ! think from now on you II
find me pretty good soldier"
And now" said Dual slowly, Il
shall answer one OF your questions.
So far as Miss Lawton's welfare Is
concerned we will be in time"
My spirits rose. II was a direct
statement. Never in all my knowledge
of him had / known him to make such
prediction without reason
The night took on new beauty ar !
turned his assurance In my mind and
felt my courage rise for the final at