The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-12-02
INADEQUATE REASON


tho time OF which write he was n
passenger on board tho Royal Mail
steamer Cobra on her homeward voyage
from Euenos Ayres to Southampton. 1t
was lato in tho year, and the passengers
wero comparatively few. l cannot
with truth say that Carew was gcner-
al fayorito on board. Hc was taciturn
as rule, and when he was not taci-
turn he was apt TO be dogmatic.
Among the male passengers he was
usually spoken of rs "a decent fellow
enough, bat queer" The feminine por-
ton of the community thought-or said
they thought - him uninteresting.
Among their number was tall, pretty
blond, who had gradually pierced the
armor of his reserve, and in whose COM
pany he had even been seen to smile.
They became very good friends-so
much so indeed as 10 draw down upon
the young lady's head various maternal
lectures on the folly OF encouraging
young men who were nobodies. But as
Carew, of course, did not hear these
lectures, and as Miss Ida Lennox was
self willed young person, their friend
ship suffered no interruption.
There was a certain Mrs. Bouverie on
board, an extremely handsome widow,
in whom Carew, for some unknown
reason, had aroused violent dislike.
She was clever as we'll as handsome,
but was possessed of a passionate and
somewhat uncertain temper - which
last, however. in virtue of her many
counterbalancing good qualities, was
universally condoned.
One evening at dinner Mrs. Bouverie
was expatiating to those nearest TO her
ON the value and antiquity of a very
curious and beautiful ring which she
wore, and which she had picked up in a
tour through Italy. She affirmed it to
be mt least 800 years old. It was "a broad
gold band, chased richly and with mar
velous delicacy and set all round at
regular intervals with large diamonds
of exquisite brilliancy. Inside were
two capital letters, N. c., each letter
formed of tiny seed pearls sunk into the
gold. Mrs. Bouverie, who was of
romantic turn, was of opinion that it
had been an ancient betrothal ring.
There was half effaced date inside,
which the widows right hand neigh
Dor, pale, consumptive looking clergy
man, was in vain trying to decipher
through a small magnifying glass.
Presently lady opposite begged to be
allowed to examine the ring. and from
her it was passed from hand to hand
pretty well up and down the length Of
the table.
But, strange to say, ii did not come
back to its owner 1t had apparently
disappeared. Every one declared it
had passed safely out of his or her
hands. Where was it then? There
was great commotion. of course; ev-
erybody rose, and thorough search
was made, on and under the table and
from one end to the other Of the long
saloon.
Tho ring, however, was not forth
coming. It's owner had by this time
become somewhat excited, and a rather
disagreeable scene ensued. In point Of
fact, Mrs. Bouverie insinuated that
some one had appropriated her ring.
Upon this, some of the male passengers
angrily suggested that, if Mrs. Bouverie
entertained suspicious of that nature,
all present had better turn out their
pockets. To this proposition there was
a general assent.
All resumed their seats, and there
was hurried disentomhing Of keys.
letters, pocket handkerchiefs, etc., but
no ring.
Carew, to the surprise of all, quietly
refused to exhibit the contents of his
pockets.
But merely as a matter Of form,
Mr.. Carew," expostulated tho captain.
The young man, however, repeated
his refusal courteously, but moro in
fexibly, if anything, tlian before.
There was an awkward silence.
Then Mrs. Bouverie forgot herself.
MAY l ask, sir, y she said, address,
ing Carew in an excited tone, "why
you refuse TO do as all your fellow pas
sengers have done?'
"You may, madam" was the brief
and naughty answer.
"Well, sir, and why not?"
Because have very special reason
for not doing so, he answered in
carefully rcpres5ed voice.
And that reason? ~
Il fear / must decline to give it."
he answered quietly, but with an om-
inous flash in his gray eyes.
Then you are aware of the imputa-
tion your refusal casts upon your char
acter?" inquired the lady scornfully.
THAT is matter of the utmost in
difference to me, was the icy answer.
But the speaker hand, as it lay upon
the table, opened and shut in quick,
nervous fashion which showed that he
was less unmoved than he looked.
Whereupon Mrs. Bouyerie waxed
more and more indiscreet. and all but
accused Carew of having the ring in
his possession.
MRS. Bouveric, Mrs. Bouverie, "re-
monstratod the captain, this is really
not quite fair. F"
Here Carew, who had been growing
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