The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-11-10
AN INADEQUATE REASON

DnSstDEtT vi iNtll lit ivy bi AAdii
steamer Cobra on her homeward voyage
from Buenos Ayrcs to Southampton. II |
was late in the year, and the passengers |
were comparatively few. cannot
with truth say that Carew was gener- |
nj favorite ON board. He was tacitun |
ss u rule, and when he was not tact
turn he was apt to be dogmatic.
Among the male passengers he was
usually spoken of 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 a tall, pretty
blond who had gradually pierced the
armor of his reserve, and in whose COM
panv he had even been seen to smile.
They became very good friends--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 rs Miss Ida Lennox was a
self willed young person. their friend
ship suffered no interruption.
There was certain Mrs. BOuverie on
board an cytremely handsome widow,
in whom Grew, for some unknown
reason, had aroused "A violent dislike.
She was clever as well as handsome,
but was possessed of passionate and
somewhat uncertain temper - which
last. however, in virtue of her many
counterbalancing good qualities, was
universally condoned.
Oue.ovcning at dinner Mrs. Bouverie
was cxpatiating to those nearest to her
on the value and antiquity of very
curious and beautiful ring which she
wore. and which she had picked mp in
tour through Italy. She affirmed 1t TO
be at least 800 years old. ltwas broad
gold band. chased richly and with mar
Vicious dclicacy and set all round at
regular intervals with large diamonds
Of exquisite hrilhancy. Inside were
two capital letters. n. c., each letter
formed of tiny seed pearls sunk into the
gold. Mrs Buuverie, who was OF a
romantic turn, was Of opinion that II
had been an ancient betrothal ring.
There was a half effaced date inside,
which the widows right hand neigh
Dor. pale. cousumptive looking clergy
man, was in vain trying to decipher
through 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. 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 1t thcnI There
was IA 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.
The ring, however, was not forth
coming. Its owner had by this time
become somewhat excited, and a rather
disagreeable scene ensued. In point Of
fact, MIS-. 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 theii
pockets. To this proposition there was
general assent.
was "A hurried disentombing 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 matter of form
Mr.. Carew," eXpostulated the captain
The young man, however, repeated
his refusal courreously, but mole in
flexibly, if anything, than before.
There was an 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 the brie
and naughty answer.
"Well, sir, and why nOt?"
because | have a very special reason
for not doing so, " he answered in {
carefully repressed voice.
And that reasOnt'
II fear l must decline to give it, >
he answered quietly but with an ON
nous flash in his gray eyes.
Then you are aware of the imputa
ton your refusal casts upon your char
acter?' inquired the lady scorntully.
THAT is matter of the utmost in
difference to me, was the icy answer.
But the speaker S hand, as it lay upon
the table, opened and shut in a quick
nervous fashion which showed that ht
was less unmoved than he looked.
Whereupon Mrs. Bouverie waxet
mora and mora ip1isgraat and all ITi
accused Carew of having the ring il
his possession.
Mrs. Bouverie, Mrs. Bouverie, IRE
monstrated the captain, this is reall!
not quite fair"
Here Carew, who had been growing
whittier every moment, rose from hi
seat.
Il regret that You should have sucl
an opinion of me as your words imply
Mrs. Bouverie, he said in a queer, un
certain voice. May L suggest tina
you drop the subject for the present
My temper is not all that it might be
and / should be sorry to be guilty o
discourtesy to lady"
Then he left the saloon and went o.
deck.
After this day, however, Carew oil
served a gradual but marked differenc
in his fellow passengers demeanor tC
ward him. His greetings were receive
coldly, though with scrupulous polite
ness. Groups began TO melt insensibl
away at his approach or his advent wa
a signal for dead silence.
If this general boycotting affecte
the object of it, he did not show it, III
simply withdrew into himself an
avoided other people as deliberately q
they avoided him. To only one perso
did he make an advances, and he onl
lnala thnn nnnn Ii ,rna in this ,rn,