The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-01-13
AN ADEQUATE REASON

passenger OH board the Royal Mail
steamer Cobra on her homew3rd voyage
from Buenos Ayros to southampton. 1t
was lato in the year, and the passengers
wero comparatively few. | cannot
with truth say that Carcw was IL gcner-
al favorite on board. He was taciturn
as rule, and whcn he was not tact
turn he was apt to be dogmatic.
Among the male passengers ho was
usually spoken hf as "a decent fellow
enough, but queer The feminine por-
ton of the community thought-or said
they thought = him uninteresting.
Among their number was q tall, pretty
blond, who had gradually pierced tho
armor OF his reserve, and in whose COM
pany he had even been seen to smile.
They became very good fricnds-so
much so indeed as to 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 us Miss Ida Lennox was
self willed young person, their friend
ship suffered no interruption.
There was n 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 Il passionate and
somewhat uncertain temper which
last, however, i'll virtue of her many
counterbalancing good qualities, was
universally condoned.
One evening ut dinner Mrs. Bouverie
was expatiating to those nearest to her
on the value and antiquity of very
curious and beautiful ring which she
wore, and which she had picked up i'll
tour through Italy. She affirmed it to
be at least 800 years old. 1t was IL broad
gold band, chased richly and with mar
velous delicacy and set all round ut
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 ctfaced date inside,
which the widows right hand neigh
Dor, a pale, consumptive looking clergy
man, was in vain trying to decipher
through Il small magnifying glass.
Presently a lady opposite begged to be
allowed to examine the ring, and from
her it was passed from hand to hand
pretty we'll up and down the length of
the table.
But, strange to say, it 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 connection, of course; ey-
erybody rose. and thorough search
was made, Oh and under the table and
from one end to tho other of the long
saloon.
The ring, however, was not forth
coming. Its owner had by this time
become somewhat excited, and n rather
disagreeablc 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
general assent.
All resumed their seats, and there
was hurried disentombing of keys,
letters, pocket handkerchiefs, etc, but
no ring.
Carew, 10 the surprise of all. quietly
refused 70 exhibit tho contents of his
pockets.
''Bnt merely as Il matter of form,
MIR. Carew" cXpostulatcd the captain
The young man, however, repeated
his refusal courteously but mono in
fiexibly, if anything, than before
There was All awkward silence.
Then Mrs. Bouverie forgot herself.
May | ask, sir ~ 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 tho brief
and naughty answer.
well, sir, and why not?"
Because have very special reason
carefully rcprcsscd voice.
And that reason!''
II fear | must decline to give it. >
no answered quietly, but with an ON
inous flash in his gray eyes.
Then you arc aware of the imputa-
ton your refusal casts upon Your char
acter! inquired The lady scorntully.
That is matter Of the utmost i'll
difference to me, was the lev answer.
But the speakers hand, us it lay upon
the table, opened and shut in quick,
nervous fashion which showed that he
was less unmoved than he looked.
Whereupon Mrs. Bouverio waxed
moro and more indiscrect, and all but
accused Carew of having tho ring in
his possession