CHAPTER I

ONE FLEETING VISION

It all happened in less than two minutes, and yet in that brief space
of time his entire outlook upon life was changed. He saw her across
the street standing upon the edge of the sidewalk facing the throng of
teams and motors that were surging by. She had evidently attempted to
cross, but had hurriedly retreated owing to the tremendous crush of
traffic. The gleam of the large electric light nearby brought into
clear relief a face of more than ordinary charm and beauty. But that
which appealed so strongly to the young man was the mingled expression
of surprise, fear and defiance depicted upon her countenance. It
strangely affected him, and he was on the point of springing forward to
offer his assistance when she suddenly disappeared, swallowed up in the
great tide of humanity.

For a few minutes the young man stood perfectly still, gazing intently
upon the spot where the girl had been standing, hoping to see her
reappear. He could not account for the feeling that had swept upon him
at the sight of that face. It was but one of the thousands he daily
beheld, yet it alone stirred him to his inmost depths. A few minutes
before he had been walking along the street without any definite aim in
life, listless and almost cynical. But now a desire possessed him to
be up and doing, to follow after the fair vision which had so
unexpectedly appeared. Who could she be, and where was she going?
Should he ever see her again, and if he did would he have the slightest
chance of meeting and talking with her?