The record-union., 1897-12-06
A YOUNG DIpLOMA7IST.

The proudest sometimes unbend, and
the botanical gardens were, for one af-
ternoon, thrown off their usual reserve.
Ordinary folks had only to come across
Regents Park from Chester Gate and
present card at the entrance TO the
gardens, and the bowler hated old gen
teman at the gate welcomed them as
though they We're most important men,
bers. Miss Llewellyn and Master
Kenneth Waller, her friend, walked on
the grass in the direction Of the music.
Anybody you know here, Miss Lew
ellyn?" L
Il don't suppose so, Kenneth.
You don't know many people, 90
you, Miss Llewellyn?"
Very few
Wonder at that" said the small boy,
because you're not bad looking, you
know. Did you used TO come here when
You were well off? Do they sell lem
onade here?"
Seems possible You think that
everybody ought to have plenty OF
friends"
Plenty of friends, said Kenneth,
wisely, but one in particular. Won
der how old you are?''
That" said the young woman. good
temperedly, that is the only question,
Kenneth, that you must never put to
lady
II should guess he said, critically, as
they sat down in the low chairs near
the refreshment tent and watched the
peoole. that you were about 26." Miss
Llewellyn gave quaint gesture of hor
ror. We'll, %, then. Fancy" The
small boy whistled amazedly. Twenty
five. and not married YETI
Young man." said Miss Llewellyn,
flushing. and affecting tone of great
severity, Il find your conversation
much too personal You would like
lemonade, I think, and two pieces of
cake"
The scarlet-coated band perched on
seats near the glass house. with a
crowd of smartly dressed folks in
front of them. started cheerful Sc
lection from a comic opera Miss Lew
ellyn, composed young woman in an
ordinary way, as young women are who
work for their living, found herself in
quite a delightful mood. Music can do
much when it tries.
"Of course" said her candid guest,
to say that you mightn't get married
even now. 1 had an aunt once who
was close upon 80 before she could get
anyone to look at her."
The instance is encouraging, Ken
Meth Don't eat too fast, mind"
STILL" said the youth, wisely, eff I
We're girl should be jolly careful not
to miss a good opportunity. Are those
orchids they're carrying there? Hasn't
that chap got brown face who's tell
ing the men where to take them?
Seem to have seen him somewhere be-
fore. Shouldn't like to be an orchid,
should you, Miss Lewellyn? Why, you'd
have TO grow out in South America
and people would have fearful trouble
to find y on, and risk their lives-Hullo,
Brownfaced chaps coming this way
Miss Llewellyn looked up, and then
looked down again quickly. and for a
moment her face went rather white.
Her hand trembled as she held it
out.
Mr.. Bradley" she said, How do you
do? I did not expect to see you here"
Il did not expect to see You again
anywhere he said.
There was a pause that comes after
the banalities Of greeting. Master
Waller, not having spoken for quite
half 2 minute, felt that he was in some
danger of being overlooked, and
coushed.
This is my little friend. Kenneth
Waller" she said. Kenneth, this is
Mr.. Brs dley''
What's the matter with your face?"
asked the small boy. Haven't YOU
been abroad?"
Mr.. Bradley placed broad fist on
the round iron table, and leaned down
toward Master Waller good-naturedly
He seemed as confused at the meeting
as Miss Llewellyn, and as unprepared
for conversation.
Il have been abroad, young man.
have been hunting orchids"
Are you home for good now?'' asked
Kenneth.
Miss Llewellyn gripped the parasol
that rested in her lap with both hands
Il can't do any good at home" said
Mr.. Bradley. Il am off again to South
America in a day or two"
why don't you stay in London?"
Nobody asks me to stay"
Should have thought" said Master
body 10 do that. Have you got any
foreign postage stamps about your"
Friendship between the two gentle
men was cemented and made perma-
nent by the production Of several for
eign stamps and an envelope to place
them in. People We're coming up to
the refreshment tent now. the band
having decided to rest for half an hour
,,s1 h
invited Mr.. Bradley to take his chair.
You don't mind?" asked Bradley of
Miss Llewellyn
Not at ALL" she said. politely.
May l smoker"
Let me strike the match" interpos-
ed Master Waller. Tn awfully good
at that. And tell us some of your ad-
ventures"
They wouldn't interest Miss Llewel-
lyn"
Girls don't count" said Master Wal
Ter. Tell one. Make it, said Master
Waller appealingly. "one where you
nearly lost your life
So ten or fifteen minutes We're thus
occupied, the small boy seated on
Bradley's knee and staring at him with
open-mouthed astonishment. Miss
Ileweilyn, her head bowed, studied the
band programme in apparently a la
borjous search for the mtsprints that
musical programme always offers.
Bradley told the story very well with
out obtruding his own share in the ad-
venture, and when he had finished
punched the small boy humorously to
bring him back from South America
to Regents Park
Aad is that story true?" asked the
small boy, respectfully.