Year: 1870

l am of a rather suspicious nature,
! which combined with my lively imag-
ination, has often led me into singular
errors. Now it moved me to advance
and hold out my hand to mana
man whom I had disliked from the
first, in order that might have a
chance to glance at the ring. Some
how The idea possessed me that 1
would discover chariot wheel device
upon the glitter;ng bauble.
| The stranger did not at first recog-
nize me. He soon did. however,
and frankly extended lis left hand,
which was not the one containing the
ring.


My brain fairly reeled the mans
beEavio. was conviction of my sus-
picions.


"The other hand, if you please" I
said in low stern voice.


Monsieur will excuse me, if he
pleases. My other arm is lame with
rheumatism.


He beheld me glancing toward the
half.hidden ring, and was sure I
saw him start and turn pale, while at
the same time looking surprised. He
however, opened his hand as if per-
fectly wi ling 1 should shake at the
hand, and felt ashamed of my suspi-
cions. The device on the ring was
nothing but common heart, and it
certainly bore no resemblance to a
chariot wheel.


l had littlt general conve salon to
recover r,y scl:-ro: session, The vtran
gers good looks seemed to attract the
attention of many of the ladies. Cne
especially, modest looking little
thing, attired in black kept directing
iurtive glances at ahe handsome young
stranger. Finally she glided up so
close to him that he brushed against
her.


An apology smilingly received by |
the lady, a remark about the weather
on the part of the gentleman, and the
two were soon engaged i'll an anima-
ted conversation. Meanwhile the
blushing cheeks aud bright eyes of the
fair one seemed to betoken that she
was well pleased with her companion,
whose air was now moro conceited
than ever.


i am afraid we shall have q storm
she remarked, pointing towards a
dark cloud at viii ch the captain was
looking.


eve may, but We do not feel
alarmed, madam"


With an air of ncnchalance he pull
ed forth red cigar case from his
pocket, asked his companion if she OBJ
jected to smoking, and being answer
ed in the negative, opened the case.
Then he started and quickly return
ing the case to his pocket, drew forth
another OF blue color.


"How many cigars do you smoke
in day?" asked his, companion anus
ed at the sight of the two cases.


The man colored slightly, and it
struck me that his voice faltered, and
his hand trembled as he made some
laughing remark.


Soon the storm came pouncing
down upon us. We were caught mid
way in. the channel, and received the
full force of the sea and the gale
Both were terrific. The sea swept
the boat, which leaned so far over
that her machinery was soon damag-
ed so that it could not work. The
wind screaming like demon. threw
her over still further.


Suddenly we observed the sailors
endeavor to loosen the long boat OH
the davits astern. Meanwhile there
was an ominous grinding, smashing
noise under the counter. The truth
could no longer be concealed. We
were sinking.


Keep quiet ladies and gentlemen,
sang out the captein, sand do not
crowd the boat so. There will be room.
for you all, aud, besides, there is a
schooner coming down to our assist
ance," sand he pointing to a vessel
bowling along taward US before the
wind.


There was. however, pane among
those addressed. The moment the
boat was lowered into it they all hud-
died, among them was the handsome
stranger. A huge sea came along
roaring like thunder parting the tack
les and tearing the boat from the
fated steamer before the lady in black
or myself could enter it.


The handsome stranger losing his
balance, and being unable to swim,
threw up his arms.


l was advancing to throw an arm
around the little lady, fearing to see
her washed away, when quietly and
coolly motioning me away with one
hand, she seized coil of rope and !
threw the end to the handsome stran-
ger, He caught it, when turning to-,