The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1898-11-23
A BUNCH OF ROSES.

Inc tirst 1 have seen this yenr, he
said as Joan took small bunch of
primroses from the table.
"Beautiful, aren't they9' she CRIED
Very" said Reginald, looking full
into her oyes
Nonsense. Besides" Joan added,
"you oughtn TO say So.
why not2" he demanded, coming
nearer.
1T ism { expediont.
II wish it were lawful, he said.
Joan sighed as sho looked down at
the primroses
81 wonder whether you will think
me very shabby" sho murmured
"Why?n
If | ask you not TO stay very long2'
"Oh, of course il you want to get
rid of me- ho exclaimed, taking his
hat and stick.
Don't bo absurd, Reggief'
You don't, then2'
Eyes, | do. she insisted, and sho
flung the primoses carelessly on the ia
bio.
If you've finished with them
"Well2" she asked, with ohalleng-
ing glance.
"They will do for me, " he aaid. TAX
ing them up.
Certainly not. " Joan cried, holding
forth hand
"Mayn't l keep thomY" he pleaded
Give thom to mo, sho said, and no
put them in her hand Then Reginald
replaced his hat ON tho table "Oh"
she expostulated
"You want mo to go?'
Lord Roper is coming, she OK
planned, with flno blush.
But he's only just gone. met
him.
Hes coming back, said Joan. lit.
tlo petulantly.
Anyhow I've often been in tho same
room with Roper before. Reginald
suggested. with mn anxious expression
'Yes, but
"Of course. if you really want mo to
go, " said Reginald.
"Oh, | don't know what | wantl"
she cried, leaning back in her chair
Let mo offer my advice, .Ioan," he
|
| chair.
Sho raised her chin, looking up into
his face.
"lm afraid''-
Welt" no said ns sho hesitated
ut might not be unprejudioed, Reg.
gle.
His hand CHANGED TO touch her fair
brown hair
:" Has Roper
Yes, she said quickly.
And you hesitatedr'
81 promised to decide In an hour,
sho admitted
Joan" no said, bending forward
over tho back Of her chair you're
not
Eyes, sho murmured. IL think |
am, Reggie.
After short silence, during which
she stared very hard at tho bunch Of
primrosos. Reggie whispered
You'll be awfully miserable. -
"Oh, don't lnowl" she said.
$50 shall |. "
Just for M hour. perhaps" she 70.
TUNED, land IT,
Welt" no said
"If weren't wise woman, you
we--might BIO miserable longer. you
know "
II should like to take the risk. he
muttered "Of course, haven't got
Gl0, 600 year.
Poor old keggiol No, you haven't"
And can't pretend to DO old enough
to be your grandfather, he said
"Oh, that's n libel" sho cried, sit.
ting upright " Besides, ono can't al
ways please oneself &"
81 don't see why--if it would please
you
" 1t wouldn't please my people, any.
how, she retortod.
The greatest nuisance in the world
arc ono's relatives, cried Reggie.
"How If you were an orphan
"I'm happy to Fay I'm not.
Still, ono can't marry only TO please
ones mother, ho insisted
mot only"
"Oh well, " no said, and walking
slowly away from her chair, Reginald
took his hat from tho table again. He
ing, and thon ho sighed.
81 suppose ! may as we'll go " he
suggested.
at growing late. Ioan murmured
"Only just g.
II thought it was half past. I" she
Eaid
Not that m IN tho least hurry"
| ho answered
II faucied you were "
" But. then, Roper will be here. E" he
said lugubriously
"Yos'
".Ioan. | don't believe you've made
up your mind yet "
81 always like to look before leap. I"
she insisted
"Yes. it's an awful plunge. no said.
with solemn air
You see. Reggie, there's an applaud
ing crowd watching to see me take it. "
at would be an awful sell for them,
wouldn't it, he suggested. putting
down his hat.
What" Joan asked
at isn't too late, he insisted.
"Too late?''
JOAN" he whispered, and he cap.
tured the hand which held tho bunch
of primroses dearest, we're at the
parting of tho ways"
"Oh, please don't be tragic. Reggie"
eve can go together, or we can-we
can do the other thing.
~ don't think can, she said.
"Why not?n he whispered.
~ Pm just little afraid. "
"But shall be there, dear. A rather
rough road-perhaps-at first, but to.
gether, you know"
GAN my people
Reginald astonished her by the blunt