"Why don't you stop in Chicago and see the city?" she asked him, at the same time inviting him to call at her home, and giving him a dainty, engraved card upon which he read her name: "Nellie King," with her address written with a lead pencil. Edward could hardly believe his ears, and said that he would be delighted to stop in Chicago, but he was not alone, and his friend might not want to. "I am sure that you can induce your friend to stop a day or two, if you care to, and I would be very glad to entertain you while in the city," she said with her most winsome smile. "If you really care to have me stop, I will, even if my friend does not want to," said Edward, entirely decided to do so. He went over to his friend Ben, who was just awakening from a doze, and mentioned the idea of stopping in Chicago. The Russian was surprised and said: "Why, Edward, we know no one in Chicago; what's the use to stop there and, spend time and money!" "Yes, I do know some one there," answered Edward, blushing like a maiden. "I know a lovely girl who would like very much to have me stop." The Russian looked surprised, and asked Edward where he had met that girl. "Right in this car," answered Edward. Ben smiled pitifully, and said: "Poor boy, you must not let your heart run away with your common sense; we cannot stop in Chicago." Edward was thoughtful for a minute, and then said: "I will stop anyway, Ben--I have made up my mind to. "Well, if you have, I will also stop; but Edward, look out, it is dangerous to get acquainted too quick with a girl, especially a Chicago girl," he added. This last remark made Edward angry, and he was tempted to take offense, but he knew that his friend had no intention but to give him good advice, and then they were to stop in Chicago--that was what he wanted. When they arrived at the great metropolis of the West, Edward offered to see Miss King to her home, while the Russian was to wait at the station until his return. When Edward came back, his friend asked him: "Did she cry when you left her?" "Ben, I don't like to hear you speak this way about her. No; I won't permit any joking about it." "All right, Ed, but what do you know about her?" "I know that she is a good girl, and that she is not making sport of me." "How do you know it?" "She told me so." "Oh! la! la! la! She told you so, eh? Don't you know that women can say anything?" "Never mind, Ben, you are not my keeper. This is a personal matter." Edward knew that his friend was an enemy of womankind, and therefore he saw fit to close the discussion as soon as possible. They left their baggage in the check-room and went to a cheap hotel where they had lunch, and afterward the Russian asked Edward about the program for the afternoon. "My program is already made," said Edward. "I shall call on Miss King." They walked together in the direction of her home, where they parted, after having agreed to meet later at the hotel.