The daily Alaskan., 1907-05-15
His Self Confidence
rOrIglnaLl

When Herman Easton parted with his mother in England she to return to her home In America, he to finish his 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 houors and wrote his mother that he had followed the first of her ro quests, and a man who could accom- pIsh what he had accomplished at one of the oldest universities in the world certainly should be trusted not to make a fool of himself in becoming entnn- gled with au unworthy woman.
 A few weeks after that he took pas sage on an ocean liner for home. On the voyage he became acquainted with 8 lady who was registered as the Hon Amelia Drysdale She was of refined appearance, aud her manners were those of the British arist5cracy a nun Der of whom Easton had met while spending vacations with hIs university friends. She knew several titled peo- DIe he had met and described them. One of his college mates she claimed as relative. What, Cousin DiCkI she exclaimed. Well, upon my word, to think that you should have been frieudsw
 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 Drysdule was travelling with her mother, who, being troubled with seasiCkuess, kept her room during the whole voyage. They were going to travel in America. first visiting friends ln Newport whom Eastou knew well 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 s0oth- ing Influence of its light Byron says, The devils in the moon for mischief" " Whether this be so or not, E8stOn found that it was especially conducive to drawing two people Or opposite sex together. Besides. the time spent in England had given him fancy for its arlstocracy Mother" he said to him self, thought ne silly enough to get eutuugled with some actress or chorus girl. What would she say if could tell her on my arrival that l was engaged to a daughter of an earl? ! cant do that, of course. especially in so short time. but I have friends at Newport and I shall take care to secure invita- tonS there"
 Once Just before reaching port be veutured to hint at more than an ocean acquaintance, more than any ac- uuaintance, but the lady gently took occasion to say that all acQuaiutOnces with any but those born to the circles to which she had been accustomed could be OGiy trunsitOry. But on the morning Of their arrival while they stood on deck, the vessel steaming up New York bay, she turned from him with a sigh that gave him a 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 DO way resembled her. Easton offered the mother his arm, but the daughter would not per nit Instead she asked him to carry 8 bundle of umbrellas and par0sOls strap ped together. He did so and when they had disembarked called a carriage for them, putting the umbrellas ln after them.
 As be was closing the carriage door he thought he saw a slight pallor come upon the face of the Hon. Mss 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 hapDI- ness for him departed.
 EastOn Joined his mother, who was waiting for him on the dock. He con cIuded to have his baggage examined and take 1t with him. While waiting his turn be stood talking with hLs mother. His heart was too full to keep off the subject that eugrOssed it.
 Mother" he said, q haven't been picked up by an adventures. On the contrary. l have met daughter of a British peer. Ican't tell you that have won Der, but l Nm sure she loves me-
 At that moment a customs inspector stepped up to him and said:
 "Tu trouble you for that umbrella"
 EastOu was indignant, but surrender, ed the umbrel8. The official opened and shook it. Then, seizlng the silver knob at tne handle, he turned 1t. The knob unscrewed. and the official shook the hollow handle. Out came a little ball of tissue paper Unwrapped, 1t dIsnIave6 n valuable diamond. The