Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-09-26

The righteousness of duarrelhng over
the mere form of his fortune here struck
Flint, and, as his abrapt benefactor had
as abruptly disappeared, he hurried off
with his prize Reaching his cheap
lodging house he examined its contents.
AS he had surmised, it contained a fun
suit of clothing Of the better sort and
suitable to his urban needs. There was
few articles of jewelry, which he pun
religiously aside. There Were some letters
which seemed to be Of purely business
character. There were few daguerreo.
types of pretty faces, one of which was
singularly fascinating to him. But there
was another, of young man, which
startled him with its marvellous resem.
blance to hinselfi In fash of intelli.
gence he understood it all now. Ii was
the likeness Of the former owner Of the
trunk, for whom the assistant had act
ually mistaken himl He glanced hur.
riedly at the envelopes of the letters.
They were addressed to Shelby Fowler.
the name by which the assistant had just
called him. The mystery was plain now.
And for the present he could fairly ac.
cept his good luck and trust TO later for.
tune 10 justify himself.
Transformed in his new garb, he left
his lodgings to present himself once more
to his possible employer. His way led
past one of the large gambling saloons.
1t was yet too early to find the dry goods
trader disengaged perhaps the conscious
ness of more decent, civilized garb em-
boldened him 20 mingle more freely with
strangers, and he entered the saloon. He
was scarcely abreast of one of the faro
tables when man leaped up with an
oath and discharged a revolver full in
his face. The shot missed. Before his
unknown assailant could fire again the
nstonished Flint had closed with him
and instinctively clutched the weapon.
A brief but violent struggle ensued.
Flint felt his strength filling him, when
suddenly a look of astonishment came
into the furious eyes of his adversary,
and the mans grasp mechanically re-
laxed. The half freed pistol, thrown up.
ward by this movement, was accidently
discharged point blank into his temple
and he fell dead. No one in the crowd
had stirred or interfered.
you've done for French Pete this
time, Mr.. Fowler" said voice at his
elbow. He turned gaspingly and recog.
nized his strange benefactor, Flynn. u
call you all to witness, gentlemen, con.
tinued the gambler, turning dictatorially
to the crowd, that this man was first
attacked, and was unarmed. He lifted
Flint's limp and empty hands, and then
pointed to the dead man, who still
grasped the weapon. "Comel" He caught
the arm of Flint, and dragged him into
the street.
But, stammered the Mortified Flint,
as he was borne along, "what does it ali
mean? What made that man attack
me?"
Il reckon it was case of shooting on
sight, Mr.. Fowler; but he missed it by
not waiting to see if you were armed. 1t
wasn't the square thing, and you're all
right with the crowd now, whatever ho
might have had agin you"
But, protested the unhappy Flint,
II never laid eyes on the man before,
and my name isn't Fowler "
Flynn halted, and dragged him in a
doorway. Who the devil are your" he
asked roughly.
Briefly, passionately, almost hysteric-
ally, Flint told him his scant story. An
odd expression came over the gamblers
face.
Look here," he said abruptly, II
have passed the word to the ,rowd yon-
der that you are dead broke miner
called Fowler. / allowed that you might
have had some row with that Sydney
duck, Australian Pete, in the mines.
That satisfied them. If go back now
and say it's a lie, that your name amt
Fowler, and you never knew who Peto
was, they'll jest pass you over to the
police to deal with you, and wash their
hands of it altogether. You may prove
to the police who you are, and how that
id clerk mistook you, but it will give
you trouble. And who is there here who
knows who you really are ?"
"No one"
Then take my advice and be Fowler,
and stick to I'll Be Fowler until Fowler
turns up and thanks you for it /; for you've
saved Fowler's life, as Pete would never
have funked and lost his grit over Fowler
as he did with you; and you've right to
his name.
He stopped, and the same odd, SUPER
stitious look came into his dark eyes.
@Don't you see what all that means ?
Well, I'll tell you. You're in the biggest
streak of luck man ever had. You've
got the cards in your own hands! They
spell Fowler Play Fowler first, last,
and all the time. Good night and good
luck, Mr.. Fowler.
The next mornings journal contained
an account of the justifable killing Of
the notorious desperate and ex-conyict,
| Australian Pete, by courageous young
miner named Fowler. AN act Of firm
ness and daring" said the Pioneer,
(which viii go far to counteract the
terrorism produced by those lawless
| ruffians."
In his new suit of clothes, and with
this paper in his hand, Flint sought the
dry goods proprietor-the latter was
satisfied and convinced. That morning
Harry Flint began his career as salesman
and as Shelby Fowler.
From that day Shelby Fowler's career
was one Of uninterrupted prosperity.
| Within the year he became partner.
/ The same miraculous fortune followed
other ventures later. He was mill owner,
mine owner, bank Director million
airel He was popular, the reputation OF