The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-08-02

were so close. She ficked the ponies with her whip, and ciafsercd quickly on.
 Gone! And she had not even bowed to him.
 "John came to Chicago and entered on his work. His uncle was a solid man on Change. The old gentleman used to boast that he had one clerk who never fooled away his money on wine or women.
 "when the war broke out John knowlson was in shape to avail himself of opportunities. He coined money, as the saying is.
 How did Fanny and Robert turn out :? Well, you see, that is quite story in itself-a sub-plo,, as the dramatists term it."
 Stirling seemed to be loath to go on. l ordered another bottle of wine
 The fact is," Stirling continued, |" 1 have always felt certain degree of re- sponsibilify for this affair, because am the one who rescued Robert knowlson from drowning"
 He paused. but thought best not to speak just then. Presently he resumed. ftIkCt lOun WSHt aWays I<OOCtt UC- came local hero. A village like Ches- ter has few romances.
 G Fanny was hattered, and Robert s vanity was pleased. Things were done and said by both that ought not to have been. He cared nothing for the girl. You can guess the rest.
 :. The war broke out. Robert was among the first to enlist; but his motive was not .tism. He chose that means of escaping punishment.
 A country town IS no place for poor girl who has forfeited her social stand ing. And so one morning, when the news of the first battle of Bull Run was received, and the papers told of Robert knowlson's death, Fanny le!. Chester without letting any one know where she was going.
 "l have to tell you these facts in the ordes of their happening, although I have picked them up one by one from a good many sources and at different times.
 "lt was not until IS6, that John know.- son returned to Chester. The illness of his mother called him there. Perhaps the familiar scenes, possibly some word his dying mother spoke, revived the slumbering memories and touched his heart with compassion for the erring girl. At all events he resolved to find Fanny Marvin, if she were still alive, and aid her in the hour of that distress which must have come to her.
 My business called me into almost every large city in the union, and John naturally commissioned me to trace the poor girl out. became infatuated with the work, and could tell some thrilling experiences with the dangerous classes, if that were relevant.
 But could find no one who knew of such a woman. Time and the life she doubtless led must have changed her greatly, and as such poor creatures adopt fictitious names you can readily perceive my task was almost hopeless one. So we practically abandoned the search and said she mus, be dead.
 went to Europe in 1868, and did not visit Chicago again until the fall of 1870. incidently learned that Knowlson had married.
 "On my arrival here 1 hastened to pay call of respect at my old friends, and found him living in a style to excite the envy of the jealous-minded. Ofeourse did not mention Fanny's name, but when he and were alone John dropped hint that proved that he had not forgotten the past but had nothing to tell, and SO the matter ended.
 "That evening stepped into Mc- Eickers, but the play did not interest me. and left after the third act l state these trivial details to illustrate how fate moves Us beyond our comprehension. If had been pleased with the performance, or if the act had dragged one minute longer, l should not be telling this story to-day.
 l, was rainy, slippery night. pulled my coat up around my throat and started rapidly towards the Sherman house. l was conscious that a hack was coming along Madison street at dangerously swift pace, but paid no special heed to it. l paused to let it go by at Dearborn street, and as l did so 1 heard shrill cry of alarm, groan of mortal pain, and saw the carriage rock as it crushed a woman to the ground beneath its wheels. was the first to lift the insensible form.
 |" In that faint light and in the involun- tary casting of of the mask of defiance which she may have worn at other times, kuC hoiuCi tuOk C1tIlC OdCk-l kneW ne1
 "' Fanny" cried.
 Those eyes looked up to mine with something of the old gleam, and then the grimness of despair, of shame, of pride took hold of her.
 "'Who is ,he-lady" policeman asked, with hesitation on the term that spoke so much for he saw how tenderiy held her and was confused.
 "' The lady is my friend said, and moved away. I will care for her.
 "A laugh of derision went up from the crowd which had gathered around us. felt the poor woman shudder at the taunt.
 "l faced the brutal gang; they disap- peared, and left me with the woman had sought so long.
 "l found a carriage and placed her carefully within it. Where could l take her? I asked her, but received no an- sver. She had fainted.