Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1918-02-15
A. Chance
Acquaintance
By Florence Lillian Hender,oo

II By Florence Lillian Hendesoo
Copyright. 1917. Western Newspaper Union->
Nellie Morse had seen the young
man only twice, but she was pleased
when he lifted his hat, and she smil-
tngly replied to his courtesy. The first
time was when. crossing the street,
the handle of the little basket she was
carrying parted and some supplies
from the delicatessen store were scat 4
tered far and wide.
The young man had gathered up the
various articles, both had laughed
merrily over the mishap, betraying
Nellie's fondness for Swiss cheese, rye
bread and pickles. Now they met
again, and both were glad to pass the
salutatiou of something more than
strangers.
II see you have struck up an &C.
quaintance with our neighbor, Mr..
Philip Dexter, the art engraver J" spoke
a pleasant vOice-that Of Mrs.
Rhoades, landlady Of the house where
Nellie and numerous other young
women earning their living as stenog-
raphers and clerks had their abode.
"Oh, Is that his name?" said Nellie,
q trif1e 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 adjoining
the little closet that did for kitchen,
and did not turn on the light. She sat
down by the window, half-frosted
over, and looked across the court.
! "How strange, how near and almost
romantic!" solilcQuized Nellie, smil-
ing at the folly of passing fancy.
''That must be Mr.. Dexter's room, but
the frost on the window Obscures all
view. Yes, that must be the brave
rescuer Of my delicatessen daintfes,"
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, deft hand, manlp-
ulating tool or pencil, began sketching
the profile of a human face.
"Why!" exclaimed Nellie, "1t's me T.
Yes, Nellie had a saucy. unreform-
able stray lock that always came out
Of place across her forehead. She had
retrousse chin, as well. 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
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 beer
compelled to work for living. Nor
latterly, too, she had contributed to tn
partial support Of married and de
serted sister. That sister was nov
seeking legal separation from NOR
than unworthy husband, who had per
secuted her sorely, who was even nov
being sought for by the police for hi
crimes, and who was a haunting men
ace to the two loyal sisters, and Wfni
fred Allen was practically in hidin
! until the law gave her husband no fu1
Their Claim upon her.
Nellie came home one evening abou
} a week later. The room was cold an
: damp, the heat having been shut OF
: since morning, and the windows wer
. coated with steam. She had just takel
off her wraps when the door Of tn
room opened quickly, closed and wa
locked with click, and Richard al
len stood glaring at her.
didn't expect me?" sneered Allen
swell, 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.
mo dramatics!" he said, sharply
'"I'm hunted and I'm desperate.
want to see Winifred and I'm going to
Ill give you just I'VE minutes to dc
eide to take me to her, or I'll slit tina,
pretty white throat Of yours, and hers
afterwards, If / find her. Do some
thinking, and do it quick, for I'm ir
dead earnest"
Nellie shuddered and thrilled. She
knew the reckless, cruel nature Of the
man. She shrank to the window anC
leaned her forehead against the sash
trying to think of some way to battle
this refugee from justice. Nellie gasp
ed as she lifted her eyes. The upper
sash was partially clear. She saw
seated near the window in his room
across the way. Philip Dexter. She
moved her hand to attract his atten
tion. Then, deftly, rapidly, on the
lower, steam-clouded sash she traced
with her finger the words:
] "COme-cOme quick -