The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-10-28

well satisfied that she had contempt
for Shaw. She feared him, too, Pres.
colt believed, and, while he was glad
that a persistent rival was out of the
way, he kept himself on the alert to
guard against any attempt to annoy
Lydia on the part of Shaw.
One evening the telephone bell in
his room rang sharply. His name was
spoken breathlessly, and he thrilled
and tingled as he recognized the tones
of the woman he loved.
rs it Mr.. PRESCOTT she asked in
a tone that trembled.
"Yes, Miss Ward"
viii you please come to the house
at once--oh, at once, pleased" and
Prescott dashed from the room, trac-
ing anxiety and urgency in the well
come summons that might mean some
thing helpful for Lydia
He found her distractedly pacing
the floor when he arrived at her home.
She was white to the lips and her
eyes bore the traces Of poorly sup
pressed anguish.
Floral" she gasped "She is gone!"
Gone? You mean" began Pres
colt in alarm.
stolen, kidnapped. spirited away!
She was alone in the garden for an
hour playing with her dolls" narrated
Lydia. When | went to call her in
she had disappeared.
"But-kidnaped? Impossible!" cried
Prescott. "She must have wandered
away"
Il found this note on a garden
seat" proceeded Lydia. Read it."
The crumpled scrawl was signed
with one name-Shaw-and it ran:
You will hear from me shortly. I'm
less you agree to marry me you will
never see little Flora again"
The scoundrel!" cried Prescott.
Il will set the police on his track at
once"
mo! mol" implored Lydia. You
do not know this man Shaw. If any
such an attempt is made, he will dis
appear, and Flora with him. Oh, try
and find her! Try and bring me back
my lost darling!"
Alvin Prescott had difficult task
] before him. Shaw was not to be found
/. at any of his occasioned haunts. Nc
trace was discovered of the missing
child. The grief of Lydia was pitiable
Prescott devoted all his time to the
mission in hand, but it was of nj
avail
1t was the fifth morning after the
disappearance of Flora, that, watkins
along the street. he observed a squa
oriental figure speed across the thor
oughfare to his side. 1t was Wang Flo
Il find you!" he cried in extrava
CANT joy. The pin-of the COLDER
bantam. You lose?"
mo, | gave it to a child"
81 have found her. You come-come
quick"
With faint heart of hope Prescct
accompanied the half coherent, but In
tensely excited Wang Flo. He led hin
to the Chinese quarter of the city
and through sinuous and mysteriou
passages into what seemed to be
secret lodge room.
There, on dais, surrounded b.
Chinese women, was Flora. She wa
supremely contented. for they hat
given her all kinds of quaint toys ant
seemed only bent on entertaining her
Wang Flo told his story. The chilli
had been brought to some avariciou
friends of his to hide or ship to som,
other city as the order might come
He, Wang Fo, had discovered the gol
den bantam pin He had removed
the child into the charge of NOR,
trusty friends. He had guessed much
1t led to seeking out Prescott
They never heard of Shaw again
they" for what could come of it, bu
that the rescuer of the dear little on,
should prevail upon sweet, loving
Lydia to give her a protector TO-
life?