Year: 1877




elers, and l had compartment in the
early tidal train to myself. My destina-
ton was Paris, my errand to convey from
my father "a London jeweer and silver
SMITH to his agent in that city a very
valuable brilliant ring. THE diamonds
in it are worth five hundred pounds il
they are worth penny" my father said
to me $50 | hope you will take special
care of the ring, Ned, and neither lose
it on the way nor allow yourself to be
robbed of it," l smiled little supercil-
iousy as my father spoke. As if it were
at all likely that l should either lose it or
allow it to be stolen from me was just
turning one and twenty. and my father
had no right to speak to me as if l were
still boy.


l had got the ring safe in an inner pock-
ct of my waistcoat, as took care to AS
not seen it since my father put it into the
little velvet lined box, in which it was
still shut up. When / had finished my
first cigar and had got through the morn
ing news, the thonght struck me that
might ms well have another look at the
ring. There could be no harm in that.
you know. l took the box out of its hid
ing place and opened it. My eyes were
dazzled as l looked. There lay the darl
ing in its nest of purple velvet. Who
could have resisted the pleasure OF taking
it out and trying it on? Certainly not l.
First on one finger and then on another
| tried it. Had it been made for the
third finger of my right hand, it could
not have fitted me better. Itlooked sim
ply exquisite.


Now | came to think of it, was there
or could there be safer hiding place for
the ring than my finger had only to
keep riy glove on, and not n sohl would
know anything about it. 1t was far saf-
er there than in my pocket. In such a
case to hesitate was folly. l placed the
ring on my finger, and put the empty box
back into my pocket. AS / was alone,
there was no occasion to put my glove on
just then so | unused ard smoked, and
watched the many colored rays of light
that flashed from the briliants, and won
dered what great swell's finger the ring
was destined to decorate. How | wished
thatI could call it mine !


There was no harm in dazzling the
eyes of the ticket collector with it. He
was only railway official. But l took
care to pull on my glove and button it
before slghting from the train. A quar-
ter OF an hour later we were steaming
swiftly out of Dover harbor.


There were not more than dozen pas
sengers 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. One was a 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, |
could not keep my eyes off her. passed
her and repassed her as | paced the deck
from end to end, and every time that |
passed her | looked at her. What love
ly gray eyes What superb yellow hair
But as for her complexion, it would need
a poet to describe its wild rose tints.-
Once or twice her eyes met mine just for
a moment, and it struck me that they
we're full of wistful sadness. SO far MS
| could judge, she was entirely alone.-
We were about half way across when, as
l passed her for the liftieth 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" / was 700 futtered to ans
wer her. L could only bow and grin.
and make a bolt for the stewards den.-
OF course L took the cognac to her my
self. You should have seen how prettly
she thanked me. She slipped at it as II
canary might do if that bird were in the
habit of drinking brandy. 81 hope that
mademoselle is somewhat revived" l
ventured to observe, presently.


Yes, very much revived, thanks to
monsieur. But | am not MAIDEN oisele.
| am madam. | am widow" She pres
sed her handkerchief to her eyes as she
spoke. How interesting, nay, how
touching, was this simple confession
The wistful sorrow in her eyes was at
once accounted for. Woulc that it had
been my happy lot to comfort her


There was a camp stool close by. Pres
emily ventured to draw it a little near
er aud to sit down on it, blHshing at my
temerity as did so. She did not seem
nj all offended, and we were presently
in the midst of an animated and interest
ing conversation. There was no hduteu1
about madam. On the contrary, she was
candor its self She had only been three
days in London, she told me. She had
been staying with Sir Henry Fitz Evans,
who had charge of her late husband IS in
terest in England. She was now going
back into secusion-going back to the
little cottage in which she had dwelt ev-
er since her dear husbands death. She
would not lie able to go forward by the
tidal train, she told me. having business
call to make in Calais. She would 20
forward by the evening train.


All this was told me with charming
frankness. There was no reason why j
should not wait and go forward with her
by the evening train-if she would allow
me to do so. When | threw out a hint
to that effect, she offered no objection.