The age-herald., 1898-04-26

days previously, but had stayed on to leave that night from Charing Cross for Brindisi. You must understand" he said with a burst of confidence, there was a lady in the case.
 I understand.
 "A lady whose parents. I need hardly say, bitterly opposed our marriage, for at that time I was hard up. The waiter brought me the Times, and 1 did a thing my dear sir, that I have never done before or since. I read all down the births, deaths and marriages. As I did so l thought somewhat grimly that this was in all prob- ability the last Times that I should see for five long weary years. Having read the births l rang the bell. My luggage gone to the station. Bowyer?' Yes, sir. said the waiter How long have l got?' You've got good twenty minutes, sir, answered the waiter Then bring me one of my special brand of cigars and hang me 1T don't finish this column.
 And, being man of my word, | did finish that long column, sir. And down among the Ys I found-believe me or not, just as you please-I found the eabieu an- nouncement of the death of dear old uncIe of mine out in South Africa that meant-well. I needn't say how many thousands year to me. And I stopped my luggage, stayed at home. picked up decent estate in the midlands, and
 Married the lady?
 Like a SnOJi Satu ny iic bhbDh' ultantly. After you with that match.
 I ventured to remark that this was but an isolated instance, and. striking as u was not sufficient to convince me that ms dogmatic assertion was correct. lie hit a one hand so impresslvey that l stopped.
 "Young man." he said, graveiy when you,ye knocked about as have. all over the shop, then you can talk. Not befere. Just listen to this instance, and then 1 must be off to my club. He turned to me progressively. Do you know NagasahF
 I did not know Nagasakl.
 "Nagasaki," he said, lis south of Ja> pan. You can get there by direct steamer from Hong-Kong. and thence, If you hke, on to Yokohama. l had been starVlhs d. Hong Kong for some months. Before tuat I had been staying at Aberdeen, down Tn the southwest corner of the island, and came up to the port and took the steamer for Nagasaki. We had a delightfui Yoy- age a delightful voyage, sir. At Naga> saki there came on board sweet Ht'le Japanese girl in charge of severe el- derly woman who kept strict gnard oV her Neyertheless'-here he smiled mys- ly-"opportunity for corVersat on was found. and I discovered that she was being conveyed to Yokohama, there to mar ry a man whom she detested. fhe ~ iH creature begged me to save her from this fate. but I could not see my way clear to doing so. One night I heard a tapplng at the door of my berth A voice said that the ship was on fire aft, and that net moment was to be lost. Hurryi@S on a few articles of attire, l ran up on deck. .Save mel cried the little creature NO sooner said than done. In moment | had lowered a boat; in another mogeht she and I were in it. Before the the were astir we were well away from the lli- fated steamer.
 'Did the steamer burn out?"
 "Sir." he said, with something of con tempt in his manner, "you are not follow ing my argument The steamer was not on fire. It was but a device on the part of the infatuated Japanese girl But marx ths!''
 He went to the door for Macready exit.
 .'That steamer on it's way to Yokohama struck a rock and not a soul on board was saved! Now tell me you don't believe in luck"
 My proposers entertained me that eve ming at dinner in the club to which l had just been elected. I was pleased to no- tice that the service at the club was quiet and sedate and I remarked on this to my friends. They said proudly that the wait CTS were all characters in their way-B'ox- am. for instance, was an old bachelor who had never had holiday in his life
 Isn't that so. Bloxam?' e7s
 Beg pardon, siri'-
 -'I was telling my friend here-new mem- Der, by the way"
 Bloxam bowed. I recosnz'd my dog matic acquaintance of that afternoon, put he did not know me again.
 "That you've never had holiday Tn your life.'
 'Nor want, sir, said Bloxam respectful ly
 "Rheumatsm better, Bloxam?" "I took your advice. sir. and had Turk sh hath this afternoon" BloXau brushed some inconsistent crumbs from the table. Did me good, I think, sir. Does any body good, I fancy. if you'll allow me to say so, to get out of their regular groove now and again."