In "The Street of the First Shell" by Robert Chambers, the story is set in Paris during the Franco-Prussian War. It follows the lives of a group of struggling artists and their romantic entanglements amid the chaos of war. At its heart is the poignant relationship between an American artist, Jack Trent, and his love, Sylvia Elven. As they navigate the terror of bombardments and the emotional strain of wartime, the narrative explores themes of sacrifice, resilience, and the fragility of human connections.