Evening journal., 1900-11-19


had had what women call nerves. |
never knew what nerves meant before,
because no two women ever met
seemed 60 have the same kind. If it il
slamming n door that upsets one wom-
& ans nerves, it may be coming in on
tiptOe that viii upset anOther's. You
never can tell. But l am sure it was
i nerves with me that first night; know
have never felt so queer since. Oh,
yes, have though-once. l was for
getting but / have not come to that yet
We had a splendid passage home
Most of the passengers were in good
spirits at the thought Of seeing England
again, and even the children were not so
troublesome as have known them. /
soon made friends with some of the
incest people, for I generally make
friends easily. do not know how do
it, but l always seem to know what peo-
pie really are at drst sight. l always
was rather judge Of character.
There was one man on board whom
tool. great fancy to from the first. He
was young american, travelling about
rs Americans 90 TO see the world. Ifor-
eet whore h had come from though |
believe be toll iae-o. why he was going
to London; but nicer yoIag fellow
never met. He was rather simple and
unsophisticated, and with less knowledge
of the world than any man | ever knew
bat he did not mind owning to it, and
was rs grateful as possible for any little
hints which. as an older man who hal
not gone through life with his eyes shut,
was Of course able to give him. HsI
was of a shy disposition ! could see. and
wanted drawing ont; but he soon TOOK
to me, and in a surprisingly short time
we became friends.
He was in the next cabin TO mine, ana
evidently wished so much TO have been
with me that l tried to get another man
to exchange; but he was grumpy about
it and | had to give ituP, much TO young
Cars disappointment. Indeed he was
quite silent and morose for a whole day
about it, poor fellow. He WAS a tall,
handsome young man, slightly built,
with the kind of sallow complexion that
women admire, and l wondered at his
preferring my company to that Of tho
womankind On board, who were certain
ly very civil TO him.
One evening when was rallying him
on the subject, as we were leaning over
the side (for though it was December it
was hot enough in the Red Sea to lounge
on decl), he told me that he was en-
gagged to be married to beautiful young
American girl. forgot her name, but
l remember he told it me-Dulcima
sOmething-but it is Of no consequence.
quite understood then. l always can
enter into the feelings of others 50 en-
tirely. l know when was engaged my
self once, long ago, did not seem II
care to talk to any one but her. She dill
not feel the same about it, which per-
haps accounted for her marrying som 3
one else, which was quite blow to M
at the time. But still could fullyenter
into young Cars feelings, especially
when he went on TO expatiate ON her
perfections. Nothing, he ayerred. was
too good for her. At last he droppe
his voice, and after looking about him
in the dusk TO make sure he was not
overheard he said:
Il have picked up few stones for her
on my travels; few sapphires of coEsid-
prable value. ! don't care TO have IL
generally known that ] have jewels
about me, but don't mind telling you.
my dear fellow, replied laying my
hand on his shoulder and sinking my
voice to a whisper, "Lot a soul on board
this vessel suspects it, but so have >"
It was too dark for me 10 see his face,
but felt that he was much impressed
by what had told him.
"Then you will know where had bet
ter keep mine, he said a moment later
with his impulsive. boyish confidence
"How fortunate ! told you about them.
Some are Of considerable value, and
and | don't know where to put them
that they will be absolutely safe.
never carried about jewels with me be
fore. and l am nervous about losing
them, you understand And he noddoo
significantly at me. "Now where would
YOU advise me to keep themw
ION you," 1 said significantly.
''But where?"
He was simpler than even could hav
believed.
'Iy dear boy" said, hardly able t
refrain from laughing, do as 1 do--pu
them in bag with a string to it. Pu
the string around your neck, and wea
that bag under your clothes night an
day"
"At night as welly' he asked anxiousiy
"Of course. You are Just as likely {
lose them, as you call it, in the night a
in the day"
IL am very much obliged to you," }
replied. Il will take your advice tn
very night. say" he added suddenl!
ssvou would not care to see them, woul
YOU? would not have any one ell
catch sight of them for good deal, bl
/ would show them you in momen
Everyone else is, on deck just now,
YOU would like to come down into n
cabin.