Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1920-09-16
The Missing
Witness
By VICTOR RADCLIFFE

s By VICTOR RADCLIFFE 81
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%. 1890. Western Newspaper unioal
A Sudden gust Of wind nearly swept
Victor Lloyd OF his feet. With . shiv-
er and u whang the umbrella he car
ried turned inside out and he cast 1t
away, wreck. The first drops Of rain
struck his face. He started to run,
making for tile only house In view Just
beyond bridge spanning q narrow
stream. Midway across the structure
second vagary of the rising breeze
raised his hat from his head. whirletl
1t aloft and then to the surface Of the
river and In dismay. unable to recover
1t. Lloyd saw 1t submerged.
The suit he wore was a light one,
his shoes were low cut, drenching
BODIED wretchedness and disaster. He
had wandered beyond the city limits
The nearest refuge was the house he
had noticed. Bareheaded he dashed
through its gateway, halted under
tree for moment or two, and then
as the rain came down In real earnest,
slantingly assailing him on all sides,
Lloyd made for covered porch. Even
there, however, the downpour- pene.
trated.
Perhaps you had better come In
side," spoke silvery voice, and the
screen door was pushed half open and
sunny face invited with friendly
smile. Lloyd's hand went mechanical
ly to his head to lift the hat that was
not there. The girl could not repress a
light laugh. Lloyd Joined in it, en-
tered hallway. followed his guide in
to neat little parlor and ruefully re-
marked:
II am bringing in some wet" and he
hesitated as to taking chair.
do not mind that replied the
young lady. III you would help me
close the windows. The rain is beat
ing in on all Sides" and with alacrity
Lloyd sprang to the task invited.
He was not sorry now that he had
lost his hat, for In way he had lost
his heart to the vision Of loneliness
before him. She was the most win
some creature he had ever met, and
treated him as though amid her lone.
Illness she was glad to have visitor
to alleviate the tedium.
Their conversation was only gen.
eral, but from the same, Lloyd learned
that her father was a merchant In the
wholesale quarter Of the city. and ne
impaired the information that he was
broker in the financial district.
II have intruded too long already, -
he observed after delightful half
hour. The storm has passed and the
sun Is coming out"
"You have been very welcome, %
spoke Inez Bolton. "But you cannot
go back to the city hatless. will see
II cannot find something that will
answer in the way of headgear until
you reach home"
The young lady left the room and
returned with hat evidently belong.
ing to her father, but when Lloyd tried
it on he found 1t too large. His fair
companion brushed 1t neatly, went to
desk and selected what seemed to be
several circulars from drawer, fold.
ed them and placed them In the lining,
and Lloyd declared that the At was
perfect.
Il will have the hat returned with
many thanks" he told Miss Bolton
II hope we shall meet again."
Il hope so, too," she replied readily
and Lloyd went home with pleasant
thoughts and anticipations. He got
the hat ready to return by a messen
ger. Removing the folded papers and
placing the hat in box, he CHANGED
to notice that they were printed cir
culars, all alike.
"Why, this is queerl'' exclaimed
Lloyd
What he held in his hand was EVIL
IDENTIFY circular sent to lawyers II
various cities containing description
Of one Mark Steele. and signed BY
Robert Bolton. 1t stated that Steele
was missing witness in most i'm
portant law case and offered a reward
for his recovery.
"And know the man-saw him only
last year when I was camping out ii
Idaho. Name and description exactl,
tally. Why. here is certainly an en-
cuse to hasten back where I cam,
from and learn IL my knowledge wi,
be of any benefit to the father Of tina
delightful little Miss Bolton"
1t was a gladstone return journe,
that Victor Lloyd made, because h
hoped that its results would bring hin
nearer to the fair young girl who ha,
80 attracted him.
He wore his own hat this time, car
rying that Of Mr.. Bolton neatly don,
up. His daughter was seated on tn
porch this time. She left the side o
a dignifled man, evidently her father
to greet Lloyd, noticing the parcel Il
his hand.
"Oh! you should not have hurrie'
to bring the hat back" she said
"Father, this was our visitor Of tn
afternoon I told you about"
Mr.. Bolton bowed courteously, bu
with no effusion, and studied Lloy
rather critically as though always o.
guard as to his daughters acquaint
ances, but he aroused into excited az
tivity as Lloyd said:
II made a discovery when I 60
home-the circulars in the lining.