The Meeker herald., 1919-02-08
A CHERISHED KISS
by MIRAsEL LEE.


drum career OF an average young man,
and within a week tested ingenuity,
courage and the timber he was made
Of In signally exciting way.
He had dallIed In the train shed Of
q big railroad to wave departing
adleu to friend just as another train
pulled In. He stood for moment,
casually watching the passengers
alight.
ooh. Harryi I am 80 glad!" and
from the hand Of daintily dressed
miss a suit case dropped impulsively.
a pair Of arms encircled his neck and
right on his lips kiss was imprinted.
Then, with a dismayed cry. the be-
slower Of the precious favor flushed
scarlet and incoherently stammered:
II thought It was my brother-I-"
Her embarrassment was relieved a.
q man approached her. and Walter
started away, lifting his cap. not one
bit sorry for the mistake. but too much
of gentleman to remain and further
confuse the young lady.
This is Miss Ward" he heard the
man suy, as he rendered card to the
young Judy which she glanced at casu-
ally and listened closely to an evident
explanation. She picked up her suit
case and with the man walked through
the gates and out upon the side depot
platform. He signaled cab and
helped the young lady into 1t. She
dropped something white as she
crossed the platform. Walter picked
1t up. 1t was a printed cnrd, bearing
the name. "Harry Ward" and an ad-
dress.
A shrek echoed out. 1t was followed
by a crash. As the vehicle whizzed
around a corner there was clatter Of
glass us the pane In the door was
pushed through.
Walter ran to the corner. The cab
was proceeding more rapidly. As 1t
passed under an electric lamp he
caught a full view Of the face of the
driver.
"rd know him again." soliloqulzed
Walter. and ''and 1 wonder whit this
oil meansT Within huff an hour he
was at the address given by the card
a respectable boarding house.
"Afr. Wardf Yes, SIR" spoke the
maid who answered his summons. "He
is Ill. but think he can see you" She
led Walter up flight Of stairs, tapped
Mt door and left him to his own de-
vices.
"Come In" spoke masculine voice.
"Who Is itr'
The moment Walters eye rested on
the occupant Of the bed he traced
close resemblance to the girl ON the
train.
"You will pardon me for intrudiny."
he said, "but an incident has trans
pired that has caused me some alarm
and has led me to seek you out" and
briefly but clearly Walter narrated the
circumstances Of the hour.
Harry Ward looked curious, suspi-
cIous and then deeply alarmed. His
face grew pale and troubled.
II must get up at once" he spoke
excitedly. "Estelle. my sister! Oh! l
see 1t all. She has been kidnapped to
prevent-but you are stranger and 1t
cannot interest you. met with bad
fall todny and one foot is crippled.
That was why was unable to meet
my sister. counted on her being safe
to come here alone"
you mistake II you think I am not
sufficiently interested to wish to be Of
some practical help to yourself and
your sister," observed Walter. earnest
ly. at Is plain to me that mystery.
villainy Is involved. You are helpless
to pursue then who has seemingly
deluded Miss Ward Into believing that
you sent him to represent you. Tell
me as little or as much US you choose,
but let me try to aid you"
It was somewhat remarkable story
that Harry Ward recited. He was en-
gagged In prosecuting claim Of his
dead father. The opposition had
fought the case. A final decision in
court was now pending and the evil
dence Of Miss Ward. her brothers law
yer had told him, would win the case.
The other side In some way had as
certnined this. Bold, INSCRIPTIONS,
they had intercepted the star witness,
doubtless Intending to hold her as
captive until the case was ended,
which would fall fiat without her evil
dence.
The memory of kiss impelled Wal
ter Adsit to put in three whole days
watching everywhere for clue he had
in mind. One dry he came to a sud-
den standstill at cabstand. A newly
glazed window In cub give him hope.
A little later the driver appeared.
In twenty words Walter satisfied
this man that II he did not give the
details of the abduction Of Miss Ward
and her whereabouts he was headed
for the penitentiary. The cab driver
was, in fact. only a hired tool. but he
knew enough to post Walter AZ to the
best course for him to pursue.
An hour later, armed with names
and detnils the cah driver had given