Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-10-14
DAILY STORY
A SINGULAR MEETING.
tOriginal.1


In the latter part of the last century
steamer crossing the Atlantic was
lost by collision in fog. Among the
passengers never heard from were q
lady and her little daughter.
Twenty-Five years passed. One sum-
mer want ad." appeared in a news
paper stating that lady desired the
position of chaperon to young people
on trip to Europe. This led to the
engagement of Miss Adelia Craven tc
take charge of two young girls, Teresa
Fay and Rachel Cunningham.
These three were one day visiting
one of the art museums in Dresden.
Miss Fay stood looking at a picture
which seemed to interest her, and
while she was doing so Miss Craven,
the chaperon, came up.
"A copy of that picture is in fathers
collection at home" said Miss Fay.
1T is also familiar to me-" said Miss
Craven. 1T has been part my sur
roundings at some time in my life, but
l can't recall when or where. l have
it. 1 have or had an uncle who had a
copy Of the picture in his library
why do You say have or hadT"
Because l have not heard of my
uncle for years.
Did he lose you, or did you lose
him."
Il don't know. I was quite young
when l last saw him"
Whether there was something in the
picture connecting the two or what
was the reason, from the time of this
conversation about it there seemed to
be something in the voice or the man
ner or the walk of her chaperon that
was familiar to Miss Fay. The Incl
dent led the two to chat upon family
matters connected with the past, and
there was a singular sameness in GER
tain events pertaining to both families.
While there was some sixteen years
difference in the ages of the two, there
sprang up lively friendship between
them. 1t became evident that instead
of Il friendship during the trip they
| would more likely be intimate for life
Miss Cunningham met friends, Joined
| them, and this left the other two alone
| together
One day while travelling in railway
car gentleman asked Miss Fay il
| she would object to his raising win
dow. She said she would not. Then ht
asked If it would be disa greeable tC
her mother, referring to Miss Craven
| The girl smilingly explained that Miss
| Craven was not her mother or any re
, lation to her, whereupOn the gentle
man apologized, saying that he haG
been uncertain whether they were
mother and daughter or an older and {
younger sister He certainly saw re
semblances between them, though ht
could not define them.
Miss Fay had letters to people il
Rome. which procured her an entree t.
the best Italian society there. 4 youns
man of excellent family fell in low
with her and signified his wish t
make her proposition of marriage
Unfortunately there was no one on til,
continent of Europe of whom he coul,
make a formal application except tn
chaperon, who was not authorized t
, give the family consent. The reSul
was that Miss Fay wrote her fathe
of the affair. He took the first steam
, er, travelling night and day till b
reached Italy.
What sort of a chaperOn is this yo
4 have he exclaimed, ito permit you t
, fortunate result?'
There is no unfortunate result i
. my case, papa" she replied, nor i
p hers either
: What do you mean by her caseT
> "Shes engaged already, while II
Q waiting for your consent. A membe
T. of the Italian parliament, a widowe
r wants her"
: "a fine pair to send abroad together
@ Both you and your chaperon receivin
: marriage proposals! However, 1 wi
). look into this affair of yours
While Mr.. Fay's Investigations wei
S pending his daughter told him of til
picture that both had seen in Dresden
a copy of which was in both families
i There has never been but one cop
Of that picture made" replied Mr.. Fa
.. land that was for me by special pc
mission"
THAT proves it," replied the daugl
ter. Il have known it all the Will
She is relative of ours
There followed an investigation M
Of mans family, but of Miss CIR
ven's. The next day Mr.. Fay Gale
upon that lady's fiance and said
him:
Il understand, sir, that you are e
gagged to Miss Craven and she has to
you she has no relative of whom W
may make formal application for b.
| hand. When she told you this she W;
mistaken"
The gentleman appeared much int
! ested. Mr.. Fay proceeded:
MANY years ago ship was lost
sea by collision with another vessel
fog. My sister and her little &
were passengers on the lost vessel.
never had heard a word of the mot
er or of the daughter till yesterda
By remarkable chain of coincidenc
it has been discovered that Miss CT
ven is my niece The child was RI
cued, adopted and raised, growing
without knowing who she was"
| fny