The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-02-05
Better
Times .
a.
By Lucille E.stelle Balloon

80
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Copyright. 1917. Western Newspaper Union. }
was in deplorable condition, men,
tally. physically and in financial way.
l had not had square meal for a
month; there was not so much In my
pocket as a dime to provide me with
my customary cheap lodging house
bed, and l was glad of the enveloping
fog. which hid my thin, threadbare
garments.
1t was about nine o'clock in the eve
inning, and l was standing in front of
a half-completed building, wondering
If l had not better seek in some of it's
sheltered corners a resting place for
the night and get away from the
drenching rain and the fierce wind
raging overhead, when / noticed a
well-dressed, brisk-appearing man ap-
preaching. I could only make out form
and face dimly, for the rays of the
corner electric light were obscured by
a jutting stone column, but / saw that
he was about my own build and height.
As the mist raised momentarily / no.
ticed also two sinister-looking men so
feet behind him, sinking, lodging and
drawing out of view against the build
ing. -
The man in advance was not ten feet
away from me when there sounded a
cnonnv arooE ouorhaod 10 ,,++o,o1 n
sharp cry, sprang at me, seized me
by both arms, gave me a swing, sent
me wheeling into heap of debris and
himself jumped back. / saw a swift
object descending, the bulkhead of a
derrick swept from its base by the
high wind. 1t crashed into splinters d.
rectly at the spot where / had stood.
But for that timely hand l would have
been crushed to an unrecognizable
mass.
The vigorous fling my preserver had
given me had laBded me on my knees.
There I remained, at first so chilled
with horror that / could not move !;
then so grateful that a prayer of hum
Bile thankfulness was framed upon my
quivering lips. My rescuer seized my
arm to assist me to my feet. AS he
did so wavered past the shadow line,
though not he. AS the light crossed
my face he uttered a mighty gasp.
"Great hsaveas 70 / heard him muir
muir.
"You have saved my lifeW I spoke.
Lucky I happened to see that big
derrick break loose" he replied quite
casually.
sand my life is yours" a grateful
thrill impelled me to add: "To my last
day that life is yoursl"
He laughed off my solemnity and
fervor, and shrugged his shoulders
lightly. Then he stood motionless for
a moment, apparently thinking.
'You'd do something for me if you
could, eh?" he questioned finally.
"Try me-" responded, feeling emo
ton strong within me.
"Goodl About fifty feet back there
ere two fellows who have been follow
ing me-"
II noticed them" said.
"They have a scent like that Of a
bloodhound and eyes like an eagle. Act
out some by-play suggest and listen
and memorize what I may say. Act
as ths1gh 7tsS were begging me for
money. Put oHt your hand. l pass
Jon some coins. Then go straight
ahead, past those two men, as though
yo1 had never seen me before and new
er expected to see me again."
Il understand" nodded.
Eat midnight come to the Cambridge
building" and he gave number and
street. Don't enter 1t at the front,
but at the rear. Take pains to learn
that no one is lurking around, princi-
pally those two sleuths ahead yonder.
Ascend two flights of stairs. Come to
suite IL, that is mine, and you will
know it because shall have the door
slightly ajar and brightly lighted with
In. Can I depend on your"
ITO the smallest item," 1 pledged.
"Good-go on"
Like one In a dream / did go on
past the lurking twain, acting out the
pensloned tramp, eagerly making for
restaurant or saloon with beggar's
mite.
My rescuer had given me nearly two
dollars In small silver change. 1t was
three hours to midnight. 1 treated my
self to the first full meal I had en-
joyed for week. tried to figure out
the strange circumstance of the night.
The mysterious environment of my
preserver, his inexplicable appoint
ment he had made for me puzzled and
confused me. 1 strolled about to put
in the time. 1t was just midnight
when l located the Cambridge build
ing. l did not pass by its front, but
went around to it's rear court, made
sure I was entering the right building.
and assembled two flights of stairs, as
directed, certain that no one had seen
me outside or about the place.
Looking down a softly carpeted hall,
l stole along its length until 1 reached
a door ajar. 1t bore number IL. 1t
was swiftly drawn clear open. Ny
rescuer had evidently been waiting for
me expectantly. He pushed me for
ward, closing the door; walked clear
across the room and up in front of
mirror. Then he swung to my side.
Look" he said. l stared. 1t was
something amazing to sweep my glance
from my own to his counterfeit pre-
sentiment in the mirror. Why, l was
this mans double! If we had been
brothers, in facial contour. IN build.
almost in age we could not have looked
more alike.
DO you notice it?" questioned my
companion, always animated and smii-
ing.
1.-THE resemblance, yes" 1 replied.
at struck me, back there where the
derrick fell when you came into the
light" he proceeded. every well; /
want to hire you to personate Adrian
Noble, myself, for a week."
l did not reply; was stupefied at
all the strange, unusual developments
of my chance meeting with this man.
He seemed to read my thoughts.
Because two men are constantly
shadowing me, because all this secrecy
and mystery, don't imagine 1 am some
terrible criminal" he suggested
"Those two sleuths are paid for def
mite mission-to see that / do not leave
the city. They have no power to de-
tain me. Only, if / should leave, they
will at once telegraph to a point OF
vital interest to me, five hundred miles
away and spoil my life"
"And can help your" asked.
Materially"
''Then use me. 1 ask no questions
Give me explicit instructions and de
pend upon me TO follow them out"