The Washington times., 1894-10-14

AZ 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 he 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 door
way. ''Who the devil are you?'' he asked
roughly.
Briefly, passionately, almost Historically,
Flint told him his scant story. An odd ex-
preston came over the gamblers face
"Look here he said abruptly. II have
passed my word to the crowd yonder that
you are dead-broke miner called Fowler
l allowed that you might haye had some row
with that Sydney duck, Australian Pete, in
the mines. That satisfied them. If 1 90
back now and say it's lie, that your name
amt Fowler, and you never knew who Pete
was. they'll just 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 d clerk mistOok
you, but It will give you trouble. And who is
there here who knows who you really are?"
NO one" said Flint, with sudden hope
lessness.
''An1 you say you are an orphan, and amt
got any relations livin' that you're beholden
to?'
''No one."
'Then, take my advice. and be Fowler,
and stick to it, Be Fowler until Fowler turns
up and thanks you for 1t, for you saved Fow-
ler's life, as Pete would never have funked
and lost his grit over Fowler as he did with
you, and you've a right TO his name
He stopped, and the same odd, superstitious
look came into mis- dark eyes.
Don't you see what all that tmeans2 Well,
I'll tell you. You're in the biggest streak Of
luck a man every had. You've got the cards
in your hands, They spell 'Fowlerr Play
Fowler first. last, and all the time. Good
night and good luck. Mr.. Fowler"
The next mornings journal contained an ae-
count OF the iustifable killing of the notorious
desperate aud ex-convict, Australian Pete, by
a courageous young miner by the name OF
said the Pioneer, which will go far to coun-
teraet the terrorism produced by those Iawless
rufiians."
In his new suit of clothes. and with this
paper in his hand, Flint sought the dry-goods
proprIetor-the latter was satisfied and con-
vinced. 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 a partner. The same miracu-
loUs fortune followed other ventures later.
He was mill owner. mine owner. bank di-
rector-a millionaire 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
exposure by others-the one custodian Of his
secret, Tom Flynn, died in Nevada the year
following. He had quite forgotten his youth
full past, and even the more recent lucky port
manteau, remembered nothing. perhaps, but
the pretty face of the dagUerreotype that had
fascinated him. There seemed to be no rea-
son why he should not live and die as Shelby
Fowler.
His business year later took him to Eu-
rope. He was entering train at one OF the
great railway stations Of London, when the
porter, vino had just deposited his portman-
teau in compartment, reappeared at the
window, followed by young lady IN mourning.
BEG pardon, sir, but I handed you the
wrong portmanteau. That belongs to this
young lady. This is yours"
Flint glanced at the pOrmanteau on the
seat before him. Ii certainly was not his,
although it bore the initials IS. F He was
mechanically handing it back to the porter,
when his ewes fell on the young ladY's face.
For an instant he stood petrihed- IL was the
face of the daguerreotype. Il beg pardon, -
he stammered, ''but are these your 1nitials!"
She hesitated, perhaps it was the abruptness
of the question. but he saw she looked con-
fused.
mo. A friends
She disappeared into another carriage, but
from that moment Harry Flint knew that he
had no other aim in life but to follow this clue
and the beautiful girl who had dropped it.
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 dis
closed the fact that she was a fellow-country-
woman, although residing in England. and al
present on her way to join some friends al
Harrogate. Her name was West. At the
mention OF his, he again fancied she looked
disturbed.
They met again and again; the informality
of his introduction was overlooked by her
friends, as his assumed name was already re-
specially and responsibly known beyond Cal
ifornia. He thought no more of his future
He was in love. He even dared to think il
might be returned; but he felt he had no right
to seek that knowledge until he had told bel
his real name and how he came TO assume
another's. He did so alone-scarcely month
after their first meeting. To his alarm she
burst into food of tears, and showed an agi-
tation that seemed far beyond any apparent
cause. When she had partly recovered, sh'
said, in low, frightened voice:
''You are bearing my brothers name. Blu
it was a name that the unhappy boy had 81
shamefully disgraeed in Australia that ht
abandoned it. and, as he lay upon his death
bed, the last act of his wasted life waste write
an imploring letter begging me to chang'
mine too. For the infamous companion of hi;
crime, who had first tempted, then betrayed
him, had possession of all his papers and let
ters, many of them from me. and was threaten
ing to bring them to our Virginia home anC
expose him to our neighbors- Maddened b!
| desperation, the miserable boy twice at
| tempted the life of the scoundrel, and nigh
| have added that blood-guiltiness to his Other
sins, had he lived did change my name tC
my mothers maiden one left the country
and have lived here 10 escape the revelation
| of that desperate, should he fulfill his threat.
| In flash of recollection Flint remembered
| the startled look that had come into his as
sailant's eye after they had clinehed. 1t wa
the same man who had too late realized tha
his antagonist was not Fowler. ''Thanl
God you are forever safe from any exposur
from that man. he said gravely, land tn
| name of Fowler has never been known il
San Francisco save in all respect and honor
1t is for you to take back-fearlessly an,
| alonei''
She did-but not alone, for she shared
with her husband.
CoJl C0,,Far@