The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1906-12-06
His Self Confidence
fOriginal.1

studies at Oxford, her last injunctionS
were to study hard, to beware of de-
signing women and not make a mis-
alliance. He assured her that he was
wide awake on the latter subject. and
she had nothing to fear for him. Half
year later be was graduated with
high honors and wrote his mother that
he had followed the first of her re-
quests, and a man who could accom-
pliSh what he had accomplished at one
Of the oldest universities in the world
q fool of himself in becoming entan-
gleG with an unworthy woman.
A few weeks after that he took pas
sage on an ocean liner for home. On
the voyage he became acquainted with
a lady who was registered as the Hon.
Amelia Drysdale. She was of refined
appearance and her manners were
those of the British aristocracy, num-
Der of whom Easton had met while
spending vacations with his university
friends. She knew several titled peo-
pie he had met and described them.
One of his college mates she claimed
as relative. What, Cousin Dickw
she exclaimed. well, upon my word
to think that you should have been
friendSr'
There is nothing like discovering mu-
tual friends to draw travellers together
and Easton was delighted at finding a
young and pretty woman with whom
to pass time which was all leisure. The
Hon. Miss Drysdale was travelling with
her mother. who, being troubled with
seasickness, kept her room during the
whole voyage. They were going to
travel in America, first visiting friends
in Newport whom Easton knew we'll
by reputation. The moon when the
ship left port was in the second quar-
ter, and since fine weather prevailed
he and the Hon. Miss Drysdale passed
their evenings on deck under the SoOth-
ing influence of its light. Byron says,
1.-THE DEVILS in the moon for mischief"
Whether this be so or not, EaStOn
found that it was especially conducive
to drawing two people of opposite sex
together. Besides, the time spent in
England had given him a fancy for its
arist0cracy. Mother" he said to him
self, thought me silly enough to get
entangled with some actress or chorus
her on my arrival that | was engaged
to a daughter of an earl? l can't do
that,'of course, especially in SO short a
time. but | have friends at Newport,
and l shall take care to secure invita-
tons there"
Once just before reaching port he
Ventured to hint at more than an
ocean acquaintance, more than any ac-
Quaintance, but the lady gently took
occasion to say that all acquaintance
with any but those born to the circles
to which she had been accustomed
could be only transitory. But on the
morning of their arrival while they
stood on deck, the vessel steaming up
New York bay, she turned from him
with sigh that gave him faint hope
Just before coming down the gang
plank the mother came up, and Easton
was presented. She was old and fat,
and her daughter in no way resembieG
her EastOn offered the mother his
arm, but the daughter would not per-
NIT. Instead she asked him to carry a
bundle of umbrellas and parasois strap
ped together. He did so and when they
had disembarked called a carriage for
them, putting the umbrellas in after
them.
AS he was closing the carriage door
he thought he saw a slight pallor come
upon the face of the Hon. Miss Drys-
dale, which he could not but attribute
to the parting. Quickly drawing one
of the umbrellas from the package, one
with a large silver knob on the handle,
she gave it to him, saying:
"Please accept this as a token of
my appreciation for your kindness dur
ing the voyage"
He bowed his Acknowledgements and
turned away. Then the carriage and
all that made life a prospect Of happi-
ness for him departed
Easton joined his mother, who was
waiting for him on the dock He con-
cluded to have his baggage examined
and take it with him. While waiting
his turn he stood talking with his
mother. His heart was too full to
keep off the subject that engrossed it.
Mother" he said. II haven't been
picked up by an adventures. On the
contrary, have met daughter of a
British peer. / can't tell you that have
won her, but am sure she loves me-"
At that moment a customs inspector
stepped up to him and said:
It'll trouble you for that umbrella"
Easton was indignant, but surrender
ed the umbrella. The official opened
and shook it. Then, Selling the silver
knob at the handle, he turned it. The
knob unscrewed, and the official shook
the hollow handle. Out came a little
ball Of tissue paper. Unwrapped, it
displayed a valuable diamond. The
handle was full Of diamonds.
Easton was thunderstruck.
mo blame to yOu," said the officials.
1--WE had a cablegram warning us of a
smuggler personating the Hon. Amelia
Drysdale, whose maid she had once