The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1895-08-29
A SERIOUS AFFAIR.

everybody why other people quarrel. Fol
our own little arguments there is always
of course, good, sound and sufficient reason.
For the disputes of other folk the excuse
appears ever absurdly inadequate. Why,
for instance, young Greig and Miss Elsie
Norman, both returning from India or
the Bengal, should break of with amaz-
ing suddenness their engagement just as
the Bengal was nearing the bay of Biscay
1t was not easy to see.
But they did.
"And / suppose" said young Greig,
with face that looked less bronzed than
usual, "that nothing can say will alter
your decision. Your mind is quite made
upF"
"It always is," declared Miss Norman.
She held tightly to the brass rail and
looked away at the spot In the distance
which represented Spain. It is best when
quarreling with any one you have cared
for not to look at their eyes
II particularly wish that for the time
that we shall have to travel together we
shall see as little of each other as possible.
We can easily say goodby at Plymouth.
at will not be easy for me, !" said Henry
Greig. II am not used to saying goodby
to any one that I--that have''-
"You should be glad of new expert.
ence Mr.. Greig. It's precious thing
nowadays"
you're not yourself this morning, Ell.
sie"
II wish were not, " she exclaimed, with
sudden change Of manner "If I were
some one else, l shouldn't be so unhappy.
Here is Mrs. Renton. She mustn't see my
eyes. This is the last time we shall speak
to each other. Goodby."
"But, say, isn't there some means''-
Elsie Norman held out her hand. Greig
pressed 1t, and she turned and went below.
Mrs Renton sank into her deck chair
carefully, as stout ladies do, and seemed
grntifled when the deck chair only creak-
ed complainingly and did not give way
Mr.. Greig pray come here at once.
Miss Norman monopolizes your time to
such an extent that we poor women see
nothing Of you. Sit here at once and tell
me all about yourself"
"It's an uninteresting subject" said
Greig, pulling another deck chair to the
side of Mrs. Renton.
"Tell me q secret then. I'm exceeding
ly fond of secrets When are you going to
marry Miss Normanr'
Never"
"Neverf OF course you're both young
but that seems long time to wait, does
1t notf Mr. Van Straaten said"-
"Van Straaten is an old fool of the kind
they make in Germany. I shall have to
ask Van Straaten not to interfere with my
affairs"
"His servant Hans is queer youth. He
looks after the diamond samples, sup
pose"
"I haven't seen Hans. But Van STRAIT
en- is the sort of old nuisance that ought
to be labeled, like some of the luggage,
Not wanted on voyage.
"He always speaks very highly of Miss
Norman" remarked Mrs. Renton.
"Why shouldn't her"
Precisely. She's very charming, no
doubt. But you should remember that she
is only girl, after all"
"That fact has not escaped notice, Mrs.
Renton."
Mrs. Renton looked complacently down
the undulating scene that her plump fig
ure furnished and lifted first one small
foot and then the other from under the
hem of her yellow skirt. The number ap-
peared to be correct, for Mrs. Renton, hav-
ing mentally audited them, sighed with
satisfaction.
"There is such a thing" said the widow
confldentially, las common sense"
II know. Cheap eau de cologne and"--
"No, no. Sense--s-e-n-s-e.
~ wonder where, Mrs. RentonP''
ut Is not for me to tell you where" an
swered Mrs. Renton modestly. "All that
can say is that you don't find 1t with
young girls. At the age of, say, 30 some.
thing, now, you often find a girl, or, per
haps should say woman, admirably fit
ted to be companion to sensible man. y
1.-THE popular prejudice" remarked
Greig, rs nevertheless, oddly enough, In
favor of girls 90 something" He looked
up. What in the worlds the matter with
Van Straaten?"
The old German, with his pince nes
awry, pinching the end Of his nose, was
coming excitedly up the gangway.
We're Is the captainp" he screamed. ~
insist. Pring me all at once the captain ,
The captain Of the Bengal hurried up
In few words Of mangled English Mr.
Van Straaten explained A group Of in
terested passengers stood around.
II talk to Miss Norman for leedle time, >
cried Mr.. Van Straaten. "I 60 then to my
CABIN. ] find there my precious diamond
vanished"
"They can't have gone far, sir, +" said thu
captain.
"They have no need to go at all. Eigh
t'ousand bounds worth all gone. mus
know now queekly who has stole them al
retty."
"Any suspicionr asked the captain.
II am not SO sure. 1 am not so sure"
Anybody on board seen themf"
"Von person only. Mr.. Greig, II 20,
please, come here. show you my breciou
diamonds, amt 1t, two days after we leav
Calcutta"
"That is So" said Greig cheerfully
Sand very magnificent diamonds the
were. remember telling you that wish
cd one or two were mine then, SO that
might give them to-
He stopped.
II suppose we shall have to search al
the cabins, said the captain Of the Ben
gal. "It's q fearful nuisance, ladies AM
gentlemen, but 1t can't be helped. Ma
we begin with yours, Mr.. GreigS"
II really don't know" protested Greig
"why should have my cabin upset AM
turned out just because
~ desire that Mr.. Greig's cabin shoul
be searched" said Mr.. Van Straaten IN
Eistently.
"That settles 1t, then," said Henri
0reig oarelessly. Fire away. I'll com
down with you"
The crowd went below and stood In th