Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1897-12-21
A YOUNG DIPLOMA

the botanical gardens were, for one aft
ernoon, throwing off their usual re-
serve. Ordinary folk had only to como
across Regents park from Chester gate
and present card at the entrance to the
gardens, and the bowler hated old gen
tleman at the gate welcomed them as
though they were most important mem
bers Miss Llewellyn and Master Ken
meth Waller, her friend, walked on the
grass in the direction of music.
Anybody you know here, Miss Llew-
ellyn?"
II don't suppose SO, Kenneth. "
"You don't know many people, do
you, Miss Llewellyn?"
Every few"
Wonder at that" said the small
boy, because you're not bad looking,
you know. Did you use to come here
when you were we'll off? Do they sell
lemonade here?''
'Seems possible. You think that ev-
erybody ought to have plenty Of
friends?"
Plenty Of friends" said Kenneth
wisely "but one in particular. Wonder
how old you are?"
THAT, - said the young woman good
temperedly, that is the only question,
Kenneth, that you must never put to a
lady"
II should guess" he said critically
as they sat down in the low chairs neai
the refreshment tent and watched the
people, that you were about 26. " Miss
Llewellyn gave a quaint gesture of hor.
ror. well. rs then. Fanoyl" The
small boy whistled amazedly. Twenty
five and not married yet. -
young man." said Miss LIewellyn
flushing and affecting ii tono of grave
severity. II find your conversation
much too personal. You would like
lemonade, l think, and two pieces o.
cake"
The scarlet coated band perched on
seats near the glass house, with Il crowd
Of smartly dressed folk in trout Of them
started cheerful selection from comic
opera. Miss Llewellyn, u composed
young woman in an ordinary way, al
young women arc who work for theii
living, found herself i'll quite delight.
ed mood Music can do much when il
tries
"Of course" said her candid guest
with cake at his mouth, II don't mean
to say that you mightn't get married
even now. I had All aunt once who was
close upon 80 before she could get any
one to look at her."
1.-THE instance is encouraging, Ken
meth. Don't eat too fast, mind"
"Still, said the youth wisely, '.if
were girl I should be jolly careful mo-
to miss good opportunity. Arc thos'
orchids they're carrying there? Hasn
that chap got brown face who's telling
the men where to take them? Seem tt
have seen him somewhere before
Shouldn't like to be an orchid, shoult
you, Miss Llewellyn? Why. you'd have
to grow out in South America and peo
pie would have fearful trouble to fine
you and risk their lives-hello, brown
faced chaps coming this way!"
Miss Llewellyn looked up and thel
looked down again quickly. and for ;
moment her face went rather white
Her hand trembled as she held it out.
Mr.. Bradley, " she said. How d,
you do? I did not expect to soc 20,
here. "
II did not expect to see you agail
anywhere, (" he said.
There was the pause that comes afte
the banalities of greeting. Master Wal
Ter. not having spoken for quite half
minute, felt that he was in some dan
ger Of being overlooked, and coughed.
"This is my little friend, Konnetl
Waller" she said Kenneth, this !
Mr.. Bradley"
Whats the matter withyour face?'
asked the small boy. Have you beel
abroad?"
Mr.. Bradley placed q broad fist o.
| the round iron table and leaned dow
toward Master Waller good naturedly
He seemed as confused at the meeting
as Miss Llewellyn, and as unprepare
with conversation.
''Ihave been abroad, young man. Nv
been hunting orchids /"
Are You home for good now?" aske
Kenneth.
Miss Llewellyn gripped the paraso
that rested in her lap with both hands
II can't do any good at home. = sai'
Mr.. Bradley. II am Of again to Soutl
America in day or two. "
"Why don't you stay in London"
Nobody asks me to stay"
"Should have thought, /" said Maste
Waller, 'that you could have got some
body to do that. Have you any foreigl
postage stamps about you?''
Friendship between the two gentle
men was cemented and made permanen
BY the production Of several foreigl
stamps and an envelope to place then
in. People were coming up to the re
freshment tent now, the band havinl
decided to rest for half an hour ard re
cover breath, and Master Waller invite
Mr.. Bradley to take his chair.
"You don't mindY" asked Bradle
| Of Miss Llswellyn.
"Not at all, !" she said politely.
| MAY I smoker
Let me strike tbs natoh. T" intss