Charlevoix county herald., 1918-12-20
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BY ). U. GiEsY 4 J. q. SMITH
Authors Of Semi-Dual Stories
Copyright.
The Frank A. Munsey Co.


He lifted his gray eyes and gazed
fully into mine. In that gaze II seemed
to me there was knowledge too deep
for words; confidence, purpose,
which darted out and fell over me like
a mantle. wrapping me in a blind faith
of assurance, which held me from
khen to the end.
Thou shalt gain thy hearts desire,
Lucille" he said very softly, yet SO that
each word seemed to sing into my
very soul and find Judgment, and live
and echo long after he had spoken.
BE thou OF good courage to the end"
The golden tapestry lifted from over
the door and Kim Lee came back be-
fore could speak further. But took
mis- words to my heart and felt them
send warm glow throughout me-.
Surely l knew that Dual would mot
speak such words without full con-
seriousness of their ultimate meaning.
l sank back in my chair again and
gave myself up to wondering what
Danny McKabe was thinking about:
and after a bit / found myself asking
myself the question il perhaps he was
thinking of me.
felt the blood rise in my cheeks,
and the thought was not at all dis
pleasing.
Kim Lee was speaking to Semi
Dual. So far as could judge from
the expression Of the latter's face the
former was detailing to him what
action he had taken toward furthering
the progress of the matter.
Once or twice, while he spoke, Mr..
Dual nodded as though satisfied with
the things Kim Lee had done. Alb
ruptly at the end he turned and glanc-
ed once more in my direction.
Miss Foote, have you eaten since
breakfast" he inquired.
shook my head. To tell the truth
had not even given thought to food
in my desire to gain the help Of this
merchant prince of Chinatown.
Dual smiled, in the way had grown
used TO. You had BETTER" he ad-
vised. "You may need food before
knows how to conserve his strength,
; the vital forces ebb fast"
-sHe spoke to Kim Lee, and felt the
eyes OF the merchant swing TO me
quickly and as quickly drop away. At
y ne end of Semi Dual's request, as i
judged it to be, he nodded, rose, and
again disappeared behind the golden
tapestry.
Mr.. Dual took me into his confid.
ence to an extent. kim Lee has
summoned some of his dependents,
men bound to him in one way or an
other, who will do what he says and
ask no questions. You of the Occident
can know little of the absolute obedi-
ence which the servants or dependents
of an Oriental will render to him, with
no reason save his verbal command.
1T was a remnant of the old vassal-
age which used to obtain even in Eu-
rope in the middle ages, when the
overload held the right Of the high
Justice, the middle and the low. To
these men whom Kim Lee has sum-
moned his word is the supreme law.
They will do what he tells them in de-
fiance of any or all other laws. He is
their lord and they are always his
slaves in duty at least.
"a bit ago l spoke to Kim Lee of
the day in which / intended to strike
for Mr.. McKabe's freedom. l shall
use these men of his to find out all de-
tails for me, to carry word, to act as
spies. There could be no better agents
to watch the band We are opposing
than these yellow men Of their own
race, who may pass and repass and be
unsupported of aiding us in our work.
"Now Kim Lee has gone to order
you bite of luncheon, and want you
fortify yourself against my need of
lsing you further before great time
1has passed. From now on / want you
to do only as / shall direct you, and
feel neither fear nor surprise at what
it may be-"
Il will do anything-anything with
in my power to help save Mr.. Nc
Kabe," l told him quickly. At that mo-
ment l felt buoyed. uplifted, unafraid.
Spoken like a true woman" said
he. "You will be of great service ere
long, For a vital reason l cannot tell
you more at present. In a sense
must ask you to blindly obey"
He made almost question out OF
the last phrase. by infection. l raised
my eyes and looked into his once
more. Il will obey any order you give
me-" promised. Il will be like one Of
Kim Lees coolies. shall do what
YOU. say without question"
.Child," said he very softly, in that
way / give you my promise; the stars
themselves shall lead you to your
hearts desire"
And what is my hearts desire?"
/ asked on impulse.
THE life and freedom of the man
you love-" said Dual.
Again the blood mounted to my
face. The assurance with which he
spoke was disconcerting to say the
least. Dual smiled softly at my confu-
sion. Peace. You are the chief in
strument of his saving. Remember
my words and be strong"
Kim Lee came back, followed by
Neryant with tray. This he placed on
s.I to otI