Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-06-11

proprietor: the latter was satisfied and convinced That morning Harry Flint began his career as salesman and as Shelby Fowler."
 From that day Shelby Fow1er's sareer was one of uninterrupted pros- perity. Within the year he became a partner; the same miraculous fortune followed other ventures later; he was nin owner, mine owner, bank di- sector-a millionaireI He was popular; the reputation of his brief achievement over the desperate kept him secure from the attack of envy and rivalry. He never was confronted by the real Fowler; there was no danger of expcs- ure by others; the one custodian of his secret, Tom Flynn, died in Nevada the year following. He had quite forgn&ten his youthful past, and even the more recent lucky portmanteau; remembered nothing perhaps but the pretty face of the daguerreotype which had fascinated him. There seemed to be no reason why he should not live and die as Shelby Fowler.
 His business year later took him to Europe. He was entering train at one of the great railway stations of Lon lon, when the porter, who had just de- posted his portmanteau in compart- ment, reappeared at the window fol- lowed by young lady in mourning.
 Beg pardon, sir. but I handed you 1 the wrong portmanteau. That belongs to this young lady. This is yours." Flint glanced at the portmanteau on the seat before him. It was certainly uot his, although it bore the initials IS. F." He was mechanically handing it back when his eyes fell on the young lady's face. For an instant he stood petriied. It was the face of the daguerreotype. ''I beg your pardon" he stammered, "but are those your in- itials?'' She hesitated; perhaps it was the abruptness of the question, but he fancied she looked confused.
 s'No. A friends"
 She disappeared into another car riage, but from that moment Harry Flint knew that he had no other aim in life but to follow this clew and the beautiful girl who had dropped 1t. He bribed the guard at the next station and discovered that she was going to York. On their arrival he was ready on the platform to respectfully assist her. A few words disclosed the fact that she was fellow countryman, although re- siding in England, and at present on her way to join some friends at Harro- gate. Her name was West. At the mention of his, he again fancied she looked disturbed.
 They met again, and again the in- formality of his introduction was over looked by her friends as his assumed name was already respectfully and re- sponsibly known beyond California; he thought no more of his future; he was in love! He even dared to think it might be returned, but he felt he had no right to seek that knowledge until he had told her his real name and how he came to assume another. He did so alone scarcely month after their first meeting. To his alarm she burst into a flood of tears and showed an agitation that seemed far beyond any apparent cause. When she had partly recovered she said in a low, frightened voice:
 "You are bearing nay brothers name! But 1t was name that the unhappy boy had so shamefully disgraced in Australia that he abandoned 1t and as he lay upon his deathbed the last act of his wasted life was to write an implor- ing letter begging me to change mine, too. For the infamous companion of ms cr1me, WnO nad nrSU tempted, then betrayed him, had possession of all his papers and letters, many from me, and was threatening to bring them to our Virginia home and expose him to our neighbors. Maddened by desperation the miserable boy twice attempted the life of the scoundrel and might have added that blood guiltiness to his other sins, had he lived. I did change my name to my mothers maiden one, left the country and have lived here to es- cape the revelations of that desperate should he fulfill his threat.'
 In a flash of recollection Flint remem- bered the startled look that had come into his assailant's eye after they had clinched. It was the same man who had too late realized that his antagonist was not Fowler. ''Thank God! you are forever safe from any exposure from that man," he said gravely, land the name of Fowler has never been known in San Francisco save in all respect and honor. It is for you to take baclz-fear- lessly and alone!'
 She did-but not alone-for she shared it with her husband. BRET HARTE.