The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1916-01-28

well satisfied that she had a contempt
for Shaw. She feared MIN, 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.
Eyes, Miss Ward"
"Wil 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 a 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 l 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 1t ran:
You will hear from me shortly. I'm
less you agree to marry me you will
never see little Flora again"
"The s%coundrCll" cried Prescott,
Il will set the police on his track at
once"
mol mol" implored Lydia. "You
do not know this man Shaw. If any
such an attempt is made, he viii dis.
appear, and Flora with him. Oh, try
and find her! Try and bring me back
my lost darling!"
Alvin Prescott had a difficult tash
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 thu
mission in hand, but it was Of NJ
avail.
1t was the fifth morning after tn,
disappearance of Flora, that, walking
along the street, he observed a squa
oriental figure speed across the thor
oughfare to his side. It was Wang Fc
q find you!" he cried in extravs
CANT joy. THE pin-of the golde
bantam. You Loser"
mo, l gave it to a child"
81 have found her. You come-com'
quick"
With faint heart of hope Prescoi
accompanied the half coherent, but II
tensely excited Wang Fo. He led hiI
to the Chinese quarter Of the cit,
and through slnuous and mysteriou
passages into what seemed to be
secret lodge room.
There, on a dais, surrounded I
Chinese women, was Flora. She WI
supremely oontented. for they ha
given her all kinda Of quaint toys an
seemed only bent on entertaining he
Wang 70 told his story. The Chi
had been brought to some ayaricioJ
friends OF his to hide or ship to som
other city as the order might com
He, Wang Fo, had discovered the go
den bantam pin. He had remove
the child into the charge Of MOI
trusty friends. He had guessed mucI
It led to seeking out Prescott.
They never heard Of Shaw again
they" for what could come OF 1t, b.
that the rescuer OF the dear little or
should prevail upon sweet, lovir
Lydia to give her a protector Il
life?