Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1918-04-19
A Chance
Acquaintance
BY Florence Lillian Henderson

when he lifted his hat, and she smil-
ingly 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
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
salutation of something more than
strangers.
81 see you have struck up an ac-
quaintance with our %neighbor, Mr..
Philip Dexter, the art engraver T. 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,
a tri1e flushed.
"Yes, he rooms across the court, d.
rectly opposite your apartment
4NClAC SUI hCh w odpPCi VII IA
little gas stove that evening. Then
she went into her bedroom adjoining
the little closet that did for a 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 neal and almost
romanticl |" soliloquized Nellie, smil-
ing at the folly Of a 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 dainties,"
added Nellie, as a shadow fell across
the w~indowpane. "Why, he is draw
ing"
She held her breath with a strange
sensation as, across the broad frosted
upper pane a quick, deft hand, manip-
ulating tool or pencil, began sketching
the profile of a human face.
"Why!" exclaimed Nellie, "It's meP'
Yes, Nellie had a saucy, unreform-
able stray lock that always came out
of place across her forehead. She had
a ~retrousse chin, as well. There could
be no doubt that the artistic hand at
work was dimming faithfully from
memory her W features.
And her the room across the court
evidently warmed up, and slowly, but
effectually, the fair face drawn van
ished into ~nothingness, and, with a
slight sigh, Nellie sentimentally Won
dered if the fieeting interest Of the
young man had likewise faded into
thin air.
Life had been stern and hard to Nell
lie. Left an orphan, she had been
compelled to work for q living. More
latterly, too, she had contributed to the
partial support of a married and de-
serted sister. That sister was now
seeking a legal separation from a 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 a haunting men,
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. The room was cold and
damp, the heat having been shut off
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 was
locked with q. click, and Richard AL
len stood glaring at her.
didn't expect me?' sneered Allen.
swell, I've located you. Now, for the
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"How dare you intruder" began Mel
lie; but the other faced her with a
murderous CLEAN in his evil eyes.
mo dramatics l' he said, sharply.
"Pm hunted and I'm desperate. l
want to see Winifred and I'm going to.
I'll give you just five minutes to de-
eide to take me to her, or I'll slit that
pretty white throat of yours, and hers
afterwards, If 1 find her. Do some
thinking, and do it quick, for I'm in
dead earnest"
Nellie shuddered and thrilled. She
knew the reckless, cruel nature Of the
man. She shrank to the window and
leaned her forehead against the sash,
trying to think of some way to baffieI
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-!
ton. Then, deftly, rapidly, on the
lower, steam-clouded sash she traced
with her finger the words:
"Come-come quick
"What are you up to thereY' grated
out Allen harshly, s%pringing forward,
bristling with suspicion.
Nellie darted for the little Kitchen
closet. She slammed its dec shut
against the furious visitor, and chung
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