Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-06-25
The Web
of DESTINY
oy ]. v. oiESY 4 J. 3. SMITH
Authors OF Semi Dual Stories
Copyright.
The Frank A. Munsey Co.
The Frank A. Munsey Co.

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But" l cut short his confession of
Impotence. ALREADY Dual has gone a
lot farther than that. He told Sheldon
and me just little while ago after
you left that he had reason to believe
she was a victim of the white slave
people"
MY God" Reich drew away
from me and turned wild visaged
race upon me. What makes him
think that?' he faltered, when he had
regained fraction of his shattered
control
He didn't say beyond the mere
statement responded. But if he
says it, he means it. Reich SO you
see ne is already at work on pro.
baole theory of the case. You know
SAT- Lake is one of the centers of
operation for that bunch of people.
The thing looks plausible to me-
Then he said duly, I'VE might
as we'll give 1t up. What's the use if
those devils have got her How can
Dual or any other one man expect to
win out against them? Why, the
eovernmt 1t has fought them for
years, and done little or nothing,
What can Dual or do? It's no use.
II he's right she's gone
Dom you believe IT," / encouraged.
I've seen him do things equally as
hard. He'll Get this girl"
III he does sad Rcich. III H.
does" He glanced at Semi's back,
clenched his hands and bowed his
head.
He seemed pretty well worked up To
me and sought to encourage him as
best ! could until we reached the sta.
ton. but my success was not marked
enough to notice. He followed us
enough to notice. He followed us
into seat to sit staring out of the
window.
confess felt sorry for the chap,
and wished knew some way to light.
en- his gloom. He seemed like a per.
son distraught, uncertain of each step
he was taking, yet fighting by sheer
will to maintain control.
Yet | had said all | could and |
sat silent while we made the run to
Las Vegas, as did Dual. Sheldon
fdgeted in and out Of the car, to and
from the smoker like restless soul
Taken all in all ii was not a cheerful
trip.
We caught the limited east bound
and were off on the next lap OF the
chase. Every one seemed to be in bed
save the porter, and tip induced him
To seek a different place to lounge in
other than the dressing room.
We settled ourselves in its narrow
quarters by Dual's suggestion. For the
nrst time since the trip began he now
seemed to take an active interest In
affairs.
well, we're here" said the colo.
mel, after the porter had taken his
pourboire and gone to arrange our
berths. He drew flask from his
pocket. Anybody want a drink"
u do" declared Reich, reaching for
the liquor. He tilted its neck to his
lips and drank several swallows before
taking it down.
This is a terrible business" ne
broke out in nervous excitement.
What are we going to do? She's
gone - gone, tell you! Glaze says
Dual thinks the slave gang have got
her. II that's so. what's the use?
There isn't any good trying to buck
that bunch OF people. Even il We
should get her her life would be
ruined. Oh, Cod" He lifted the flask
again.
Colonel Mac took II away.
Here - that's enough, sonny" he
cautioned. II thought you looked like
you needed a pickup, but you don't
need to get all lit up, for all that" He
put the flask away
That is the terrible thing said
Semi Dual slowly: that through no
wrong OF her own she should find her
life In ruins. II Is fearful business
this dealing In human flesh and blood,
In fact, 1t Is a hell of business; and
surely II there be hell--the men and
women who control the trade should
20 to its lowest depths!
yet II is an established trade, with
its agents In nearly every large city
10 the country. They lurk about the
cheaper theaters, the cheaper hotels -
along the streets. They 90 from town
to town inducing girls to leave home
by Offers of legitimate employment.
which proves In the end to be but the