The St. Johns herald., 1900-04-21
Mir. NeStOyn'S Notebook
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AKR. NESTOYN'S notebook was MI standing joke among all his friends and acquaintances. Whatever happened, if an old friend were men, toned, any good thing said, in season and out of season forth came the note book, with the invariable remark: Il must just jot that down."
 But although many had seen the out side of that book, to none had it been permitted to look within. Did say to none? We'll, on one memorable occa- sion another pair of eyes as we'll as Mir. NeStoyn's had looked upon page of that precious volume-another hand had written one word within. And this IS how it came about:
 Mir. Nestoyn was bachelor. He was he is one no longer. It is doubtful whether he keeps notebook now.
 There was a tradition among his friends that some years ago, when Dick Nestoyn was quite young, some trouble connected with a romance came into lis life. What actually happened none knew exactly, except that the romance had disastrous ending, and the trou- ble changed bright, rather careless lad into a strictly methodical man, with a strong objection to the society of women.
 He lived a quiet, uneventful life in well-appointed house in riverside sub urb. Methodical and monotonous each day came and went, one day much the same as another-an early rising, q lonely breakfast, a short walk to the station, possibly chat with a friend in the train on the rapid journey to Lon don, few hours of not very interesting work at the office, and then the return to the lonely house. And so Mir. Nes- toyn's life went on, the monOtony slightly broken. occasionally by his dining with some of his bachelor friends at their rooms, or by giving recherche little dinner at his well-ordered though slightly prim suburban residence.
 To these dinners only the unmarried were invited, for if among the select circles that Mir. Nestoyn honored with his friendship anyone took unto him. self wife, thsnceforth that man was Mir. Nestoyn's friend nc longer. Ac- quaintance he might be, for Mir. Nes- toyn did not go to the length of not returning nod or holding few words of conversation with former friend who had married, but never again would he be asked to partake of Q din- her at the Willows, nor from thence forth did Mir. NestOyn darken the doors. Ot that mans residence.
 But to every rule there is an excep- tion. Just as Phil Marsden, MT. Nes- toyn's chief crony, was wondering what line his friend would take when he (Phil Marsden) should have worked up his practice so as to feel justified in making an offer of marriage to cer- tain charming widow. Jack Cranborne, apparently the most determined bach elor of the whole set, suddenly an- pounced that his banns were to be pub hshed at the parish. church on the very next Sunday.
 And all round; the little coterie went the whisper: 'Now Dick Nestoyn will give up Jack Cranborne."
 But, strange to say, Dick Nestoyn did not give up Jack Cranborne when he had wife. He ased 10 say, by way of excuse. that Mrs. Cranborne was not like other women. Why he said or thought this no one could understand, the general opinion being that Jack Cranborne's wife was very much like other women. So it came to pass that many pleasant hour was spent by MT. Nestoyn at Riverside, the home of Jack and Violet Cranborne-
 One evening. just as he was turning into the gate Of that snug little dwell ing, be vas accosted by Phil Marsden, who. began, in commiEerating tone: ~l really Prieve for you. Mir. Nestoyn. I our visits to Riverside will for a time"