Year: 1877

many travellers. ami l had compart-
ment in the early tidal train to my.
self. Ny destination WAS Paris, my
errand to convey from my father Ga
London jeweler and silversmith), to
his agent in that city very valuable
brilliant ring. "The diamonds in
it are worth five hundred pounds il
il is worth penny" my father had
SAID TO me; " so hope you will take
special care of the ring, Ned, and
neither lose it on the way or allow
Yourself TO be robbed of it."
smiled n little superciliously as my
father spoke. As if it were at all
likely that should either lose it or
allow it to he stolen from me!
was just turned one and twenty,
and my had no right TO speak to me
as If | were still a boy.


] had got the ring safe in an inner
pocket of my waistCoat, as l took
caro- TO assure myself from time to
time. had not seen it since my
father put it into the little velvet
lined box. in which it was still shut
up. When l had finished my first
cigar and had got through the morn
ing news, the thought struck me that
] might rs well have another look at
the ring. There could be no harm
in that. you know. took the box
ont of its hiding-place and opened
IT, My eyes were dazzled as l looked.
There lay the darling i'll its nest of
purple velvet. Who could have re-
sisted the pleasure of taking it out
and trying it on? Certainly not l.
First on one finger and then on an
other | tried it. Had it been made
for the third finger of my right hand
il could not have fitted mo better.
II was simply exquisite.


Now came to think of it, was
there or could there be safer hid
ing-place for the ring than my fin
gcrf | had only to keep my glove
on, and not soul would know any
thing about it. 1t was far safer than
in my pocket. In such case to
hesitate was all folly. l placed the
rim on my finger, and put the empty
box back in my pocket. AS 1 was
alone there was no occasion to put
my glove on just then, so l mused
aud smoked, and watched the many
co!orcd rays of light that flashed
from the brillian.s, and wondered
what great swell's finger it was des-
tined 10 decorate. How I wish that
IL was mine!


There was no harm of dazzling the
eyes of tho ticket-collector with it.
He was only railroad official. But
! took care to pull Gu my glove and
button it before aliShting from the
train. A quarter of an hour later
We were steaming swiftly out of Do
yer harbor.


There were not more than dozen
passengers on deck. The day was
cold and clear, with just enough sea
to make the voyage unpleasant for
bad sailors. Only two ladies were
visible. Ono was q stout middle
aged person, who was eating and
drinking nearly the whole way across
evidently an old salt. The other
was well, simply the most charming
creature ! had ever set eyes on. In
point of fact, I could not keep my
ewes off her. Ipassed her aud re-
passed her as lspaced the deck from
end 10 end, and every time 1 passed
hor | looked ut her. What lovely
gray eyes! What superb yellow
hair! But, for her completion, it
would need a poet to describe its
wild-rose tints. Once Or twice her
eyes met mine just for moment,
aud it struck me that they were full
of wisiful sadness. So far rs l
could Judge, she was entirely alone.
We were about halfway across when,
as passed her for the fiftieth time,
she spoke. Would monsieur have
the goodness to ask the steward to
bring me little cognac?" She
Spoke in French. As the song says,
{" Her voice was low and sweet.
I was too nuttered to answer her.
l could only bow and grin, and
make bolt for the stewards den.
or course l took the cognac to her
myself. You should have seen how
prettily she thanked me. She slipped
at il as canary might do if that
bird was in the habit of drinking
brandy. 81 hope that madamoiselle
il somewhat revived" ventured to
observe presently.


Yes, very much revived, thanks
10 monsieur. But I am not madam
oiselle. lam madame. I am wild
ow." She pressed her handkerchief
to her eyes as she spoke. How in
tercsting-nay, how touching was
this simple confession! The wistful
sorrow in her eyes was at once ac-
counted for. Would that it had
been my happy lot to comfort her!


There was O camp stool near by.
Presently ventured to draw it a lit
tie nearer and to sit down on it,
blushing ut my temerity as I did so.