Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-07-01

| The Web
of Destiny
BY J. u. ClESY 4 ]. B. SMITH
Authors of SemiDual Stories
Copyright.
The Frank A. Munsey Co.
The Frank A. Munsey Co.

s !
nanaa aauaapaaannnnanuaanar
iIuaf punched his papers In his
hands. folded them twice, and thrust
them into his pocket.
1T means" he replied in some
what offhanded manner, that we
leave for San Francisco in the morn
ing"
II YOU are going to San Francisco
BY the northern route from Salt Lake
YOU have TO 90 first 10 Ogden, where
the Short Line turns you over to the
Southern Pacific Consequently, the
next morning found us steaming out
OF the Union Station bound north
Lucille had met us just before we
boarded the train. not little to Ho
mers surprise. He eyed her with an
almost antagonistic stare rs she gain
ed our side beyond the barriers, and
rs soon as possible made an opportu
Hlty 10 speak 10 me.
"What is that woman doing with
u.s. he wanted to know.
shes going along with US, | un.
derstand," ! informed him.
What for? Why don't your
friend Dual take the whole town on
/ this hunt?" he scowled.
shes going along to identify
Greek Annie, as ! understand it,"
-s>ssiAd- .2-AsA-.'z-e. s.
"Oh,' said Reich "Wtn, hadn't
though OF tn t."
He lapsed iIro silcrce aid pre- ientlr
moved to seat with Sheldon, to
whom he began to talk Meanwhile
Lucille and Semi had found seat to,
eether and were cOnversing in lower
Cd tones. ! leaned back in my seat
and gave myself up to my own
thoughts as we steamed up the valley.
] thought of Connie and wondered
what she was doing. Surely Dual had
been right that morning out of Grand
Junction when he predicted that nv
honeymoon would be interrupted. /
reviewed the whole matter thus far
and as before ] ran up against the
blind wall of Semi's reticence.
The farther we went the more |
wondered at his course.
or course knew that he was acting
from some purpose, but for the life
OF me | could not understand why
was shut out ] confessed that | was
beginning to feel as imagine a sailor
must who moves through a blind FOE
under the guidance Of pilot.
] had every confidence in my pilots
ability, and with reason. and yet in
stinctively | wondered where We
were going, and just when we would
where?
Such things held me until the train
ran rumbling across a considerable
river, and Dual rose and began gather.
ing up his and Lucile's bag.
"Ogden. We change cars here" he
announced
>Relch's head came around with
terk.
"Change cars. What for? This
train goes straight through to Port
land" he said quickly, and realized
then thai neither Semi nor had men
toned our changed destination TO
either him or Sheldon. Semi did so
now briefly,
But we go ON to San Francisco he
replied.
'San Francisco"
Reich almost shrieked as he sprang
10 his feet and confronted Dual,
Eve do not won't do it! We're !
going to Seattle on this train; do you
var me, YOU fake sleuth-- Seattle
can come or get out II you like.
lone done nothing but blunder.
ms Sheldon's and my affair after
~, ahNwhat we say goes. Amt that
right, cdonel Macg
she'aonN struggling with his own
1"'p,ise 'iesSed his throat In a visible
effort to sdhtt himself to changed
Plans before smmitting himself to
words. and in tina moment Dual spoke
again.
That is undoubtedly rich, in part
Colonel Sheldon as IN, man who was
acting as Miss Lawtons protector At
The time this happened hs the entire
right Of decision in the natter You
1t present Mr.. Reich have NO mart In
{ at all save as the man WIN was to
marry the woman
Colonel Sheldon asked me TO take
IN this case, and | have Done 80.
you have perslstently
aised objections We have reached
he time for final decision. Colonel
heldon, | advise our change Of des.
!netica on the strength Of things