Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-01-22
The Daily
Short Story
A CHANCE ACQUAINTANCE.
BY Florence Lillian Hendervo.

Wnen ne lited ms nat, and she ann
ingly replied to his courtesy. The n,r
time was when, crossing the strees
the handle of the little basket she -.
carrying parted and some supo,,e
from the delicatessen store wer, seat.
tered far and wide.
The young man had gathered m n.
various articles, both had lauehes
merrily over the mishap, betrayi,s
Nellie's fondness for Swiss cheese. =
bread and pickles. Now they M
again, and both were glad to pass a.
salutation Of something more th,r
strangers.
II see you have struck up m A..
quaintance with our neighbor n
Philip Dexter, the art enerayerss
spoke a pleasant voice-that Of Mn
Rhoades, landlady of the house where
Nellie and numerous other, youns
| women earning their living as stspoe.
raphers and clerks had their abode
'Oh, is that his name?" said Nellie
a trife flushed.
Eyes. he rooms across the court d.
| rectly-opposite your apartment
| Nellie got her own supper on her
| little gas stove that evening. Then
she went into her bedroom adioinin,
the little closet that did for kitchen
and did not turn on the light. She eat
down by the window, half-frosted
over, and looked across the court.
How strange, how near and almost
romantic" soliloquized Nellie, smil.
ing at the folly Of passing fancy
THAT must be Mr.. Dexter's room, but
the frost on the window obseures all
view. Yes, that must be the brave
rescuer Of my delicatessen dainties."
added Nellie, as a shadow fell across
the windowpane. why, he is draw
ing"
She held her breath with strange
sensation as, across the broad frosted
upper pane quick, def hand, manip-
ulating tool or pencil, began sketching
the profile of human face
"Why!" exclaimed Nellie, TITS met
| Yes, Nellie had saucy, unreform-
able stray lock that always came on.
of place across her forehead. She had
a retrousse chin, as we'll. There could
be no doubt that the artistic hand at
work was dimming faithfully from
memory her own features.
| And then the room across the court
evidently warmed up, and slowly, but
! effectually. the fair face drawn van
ished into nothingness, and, with q
slight sigh, Nellie sentimentally won
dered if the fleeting interest Of the
young man had likewise faded into
thin air.
Life had been stern and hard to Mel
lie. Left an orphan, she had been
compelled to work for living. More
latterly, too, she had contributed to
the partial support Of married Ind
deserted sister. That sister was now
seeking illegal separation from more
than unworthy husband, who had per-
secuted her sorely, who was even now
being sought for by the police for his
crimes, and who was haunting mel
ace to the two loyal sisters, and Wini-
fred Allen was practically In hiding
until the law gave her husband NO fur-
Their claim upon her.
Nellie came home one evening about
a week later!e The room was Geld and
damp, the heat having been shut OF
since morning, and the windows were
coated with steam. She had just taken
, off her wraps when the door OF the
room opened quickly, closed and wai
|. locked with a click, and Richard Al
len stood glazing at her.
Didn't expect me?" sneered Allen
, "Well, I've located you. Now. for tn
other one. Where is my wife hiding!
How dare you intruder" began Mel
lie; but the other faced her with
murderous CLEAN in his evil eyes.
"No dramatics!" he said, SHARPLY
, I'm hunted and I'm desperate.
want to see Winifred and I'm going to
: I'll give you Just five minutes to Dc
eide to take me to her, or I'll slit TIA
pretty white throat of yours, and her
, afterwards, if l find her. Do som'
, thinking, and do it quick, for I'm II
dead earnest"
Nellie shuddered and thrilled. Sa'
: knew the reckless, cruel nature OF tn
i man. She shrank to the window AM
! leaned her forehead against the sasn
! trying to think of some way to bani
this refugee from justice. Nellie gasp
6 ed as she lifted her eyes. The uppe
! sash was partially clear. She saw
seated near the window in his foon
r across the way, Philip Dexter. Sn
moved her hand to attract his atfen
\ ton. Then, deity, dapidly, on u
lower, steam-clouded sash she trace
r with her finger the words:
"Come-come quick"
what are you up to there?" grave
4 out Allen harshly. springing forwas'
: bristling with suspicion.
n Nellie darted for the little kitcne
: closet. She slammed its door snu
+ against the furious visitor, and cruz
, to it as he endeavored to pull it opei
/. Me went fiat on the floor as Nellie y
y go of the inside knob. At that nv
ment Philip Dexter burst into U
room.
h There was a fierce struggle Derives
a the two men, but Nellie ran out y
!, shrieked for help. Richard Ans
k went into the hands OF the pong
d where he belonged, and out OF naim
y way. !,
+ Comedy--the chance meeting On =
70 street. Near tragedy-Nellie's resca
IS and after that-sweet romance, -
n love, and two earnest young SOU
= merged into one.
Is ---------------