Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-07-30
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BY J. U. GiEsy a.. 9. SMITH
Authors Of Semi.Dual Stories
Copyright,
The Frank A. Munsey Co.
CHAPTER !.
Colonel Sheldon Is JubiIant.

am certain that when Lucille Foote,
Semi Dual, Sheldon and myself left the
Hall of Justice, taking with US Lily
Lawton, wnom Dual had freed from
the web OF peril in which her false
lover, Homer Reich, and Greek Annie.
his confederate. had ensnared her, the
majority Of us felt that the incident
was closed aud the two white slave
agents destined to well merited fate
Those of you who have followed the
history OF that adventure Will admit
that we had certainly scored against
the organized band Of social vampires
who prey upon the youth and virtue
OF their countrys womanhood. Reich.
who had won her trust and her prom
Use 10 wed him while acting as white
slave scout, and the woman, wife OF a
Greek member OF the organization
who had helped in the girls capture.
We left in charge of the police when
We started back to our suite at the St
Francis. With us we took the assur-
ance that the Greek accomplices in
Salt Lake would be arrested as soon
u the wires could carry the order.
All in all, it was remarkable vic
tory which Dual had scored against a
subtle foe. As Colonel Mac Sheldon
put it.
Il reckon We put kink in that
bunch Of jaspela TINS time. NJ, hats
off to Semi Dual."
And those of you who have folio Sed
the stories OF the strange man which
l. Gordon Glace, have tried to set
down from time to time will know Of
whom he spoke.
You will recognize the name as that
Of that super.soul who moved other
souls OF men and women like pawns
on the chess board of life sought
from time to time TO unravel some OF
the miserable tangles into which those
lesser souls had snarled their skelns
VI life.
The man who studied and used the
higher forces OF the universal laws, as
those lesser men ABOUT him used the
simpler implements of material forces,
o"l - : all this with smile that
destiny made of HIM means 10
noble end.
And it was Semi Dual who, whel.
old Colonel Sheldon, OF GOldfleld, ap-
pealed to him for aid, had engaged in
q battle of wits with the organization
which had stolen his pale-faced girl
who now sat opposite me in the taxi,
her head resting on the shoulder Of
Lucille FOote.
Lucille, as you know, was the agent
Of the police who, in helping Dual to
see Justice performed, had won her
own vengeance against the man Reich
and Reich, three years before, had
done her sister to her death.
Oh, 1t was a triumph for right had
seen that night! And Dual was the
high priest of right, always.
The taxi took us back to the hotel
where We had engaged our suite such
q few crowded hours ago 1t hardly
seemed possible that this was the
same night in the evening of which We
had registered at the yellow marble
desk and gone forth without delay
to free a threatened soul. We went
I'D to the rooms and | think we all
brealhed sigh of relief as We reached
them.
Lily Lawton turned to Semi then
and would have spoken save that he
waved Lucille to take the girl to their
room.
Tomorrow, Miss Lawton." he said
not unkindly wait until little OF
the strain has passed--for tonight
thank that Power who watches the
sparrows and feeds them. Good
night"
Just the same" erupted Sheldon,
when the door was closed behind LII.
Gle and the girl, there amt no
strings ON my expressin my opinion,
an l reckon this is our night to howl.
For downright pure quill queerness,
this last thing puts it all over any
thing | ever heard of. Amt takin'
uuthin' Of credit from that Power you
speak OF, Mr.. Dual. but I'm addn' that
you played some hand, sir--some hand
you won all the bets that was down.
1 Yes cir. this is our night to how'll"
There will follow day, which is
lalmsst .dawning.' said Semi. Il shall
sleep despite your bowling, my
Efriend.' A slight smile flickered across
ibis lips.
1 Colonel Mac and vent to our room
laAd h kent on talking till I told him