Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-07-31


Karma is after all but another name
for the Book Of Judgment, Of which
orthodox ministers Of the orthodox
gospel sometimes speak in their en-
deavors to frighten souls into better
manner Of living.
"Karma is but the astral record of
the things We do, good or bad. Karma
is the Universal Ledger in which Uni.
versal Law sets down the account for
and against us. We create it ourselves,
building ii up from moment to mo-
ment, from hour to hour, from day to
day, from birth to death, and its final
balance Is the thing which determines
the state unto which we shall go after
that death of The flesh occurs
Lily had ceased her weeping and
was staring wide eyed upon him while
she listened. But what did do?
Eow did create this-ths thing you
spoke Of? | always tried to do what
was right" Her voice trembled.
Dual addressed her directly.
And by always trying to do what
was right you also created other kar-
ma, which made your escape from the
peril which threatened a possible
thing. Your fault lay like that OF
mankind at large, in not learning
tAe law of your own self need. Your
ftlllt was a fault of ignorance.
"rhat very ignorance it was which
made you possible victim of one
more learned in the ways of the world
and men. Because you knew little Of
the guile which wraps mantle OF
seeming probity about its evil body,
you took the surface seeming for the
reality itself. You gave your trust be.
fore its deserving was proven.
I'm that you created Karma, and,
because the one whom you trusted
was unworthy Of trust, he availed him
self of the chance to betray you for
his own selfish enrichment"
He paused, drew a deep breath and
resumed In the voice of Judge pro-
nouncing sentence
"And in 50 doing that one who be.
trayed you created Karma. which
will certainly be his undoipg. AL
ready It's evil effects have begun to
overtake him. And they shall continue
to overtake him. to buffet his body
and spirit, to torture his days and his
nights, until the last item on the kar
mic scrolls against him shall have
been paid in full
"But you, child in error, rather than
In sin. shall profit by the lesson YOU
have learned. SO shall you walk safe
ly and be not afraid
well, my Lord" sighed Colone
MacDonahue Sheldon, Il reckon yot
said mouthful that time. Lily. my
girl, that's about the best sermon or
common sense | ever heard in my life
Summed up it comes out jes' about
like this, | reckon: Do the best YOU
kin, an leave the rest up to tn Great
Accountant-eh Dual?" q
THAT, and endeayor to learn while
you act" said Semi. And, colonel
there is very large question. both in
your mind and in that of my friend
Glaze. as to why the success of oul
adventure has not Weakened a greater
satisfaction in my mind"
The telephone whrred sharply.
saw Dual draw his watch and take the
time.
Sheldon, as the one nearest the in
strument, rose and answered the call
Hello! Who?" He paused mo-
ment and listened. "Oh, you want
Miss Foote? All right. wait just a
minute" He turned and held the re-
ceiver out on its cord toward Lucille
Somebody wants you, ma'am," he
announced
Lucille rose and took his place at the
phone. "Yes, this is Miss Foote--'
she began, and evidently awaited the
pleasure of the one who was speaking
Gradually as watched her | saw the
color sink in her face, and she leaned
slightly forward After a bit she put
up hand and rested it on the tele
phone box, as though seeking a partial
support, Still later sh2 spoke in a
tense, low voice Yes, yes; | under
stand. | will speak to him at once
and we will let you hear later. Yes
captain, at once; understand the
need of immediate action. Yes"
She slipped the receiver into Its
catch and turned back toward the tn
BILE, and her eyes were deeper and
darker at that moment than had
ever known them. Perhaps 1t WAS be
cause her face had gone white to the
lips and had lost the look Of happy
content 1t had worn throughout the
morning.
"That was Captain OF Detectives
Connel speaking from the Hall OF
Justice" she whispered. "tIe tells m.
that Mr.. McKabe disappeared between
| the time he left US last night and this