The evening times., 1898-11-19
A BUNCH OF PRIMROSES.

said, as Joan took sman punch OF prim-
roses from the table.
Beautiful, aren't they?" she cried.
Very" said Reginald looking full in
TO her eyes.
Nonsense. Besides Joan added, you
oughtn't to say So
"Why not?' he demanded, coming near
er.
1T isn't eXpedient.'
Il wish it were lawful he said.
Joan sighed as she looked down at the
primroses.
81 wonder whether you will think me
very shabby" she murmured.
"Why?"
"If | ask you not to stay very long?"
''Oh, of course, If you want to get rid
of me" he exclaimed, taking his hat
and stick.
Don't be absurd, Reggier'
You don't, then?"
Yes, | do she insisted. And she
flung the primroses carelessly on the ta-
BILE.
IF you've finished with them
"Well?" she asked, with a challenging
They will do for me-, he said, taking
them up.
Certainly not" Joan cried, holding
forth hand.
"Maynt l keep them?" he pleaded.
Give them to me- she said, and he
put them in her hand. Then Reginald re-
placed his hat on the table "Oh!" she
eXpostulated.
You want me to go?''
/ Lord Roper is coming she explained
with fine blush.
But he's only just gone; I met him
Hes coming back" said Joan, a little
petulantly.
Anyhow, I've often been in the same
room with Roper before Reginald sug-
gested with an anxious expression.
Yes but
.'Of course, if you really want me 10
go" said Reginald.
''Oh, don't know what l want" she
cried. leaning back in her chair.
Let me offer my advice, JOAN he
urged, with a hand on the back OF her
chair
She raised her chin, looking up into his
face.
I'm afraid
"Well?' he said. as she hesitated.
1T might not be unprejudiced, Reg
gle. "'i+'
His hand CHANGED to touch her fair
| brown hair
Has Roper"
Yes" she said quickly
And you hesitated?"
Il promised to decide in an hour"
she admitted.
Joan" he said bending forward over
the back of the chair. you're not
Yes" she murmured Il think ] am,
Reggie"
After a short silence. during which she
stared very hard at the bunch of priIn-
roses. Reggie whispered:
''Youn be awfully miserable"
'Oh, ! don't know" she saId.
so shall l."
Just for an hour, perhaps" she re-
turned. and if
'.Well?" he said
IF weren't a wise woman, you've
might be miserable longer, you know"
Il should like to take the risk" he NUT
tered ''of course | haven't got &1000O
YEAR
Poor old Reggie; no. YOU haven't"
And l can't pretend TO be old enough
to be your grandfather" he said.
"Oh, that's a libel she cried, sitting
upright Resides, one can't always
please ones self"
Il don't see why-if It would please
you"
1T wouldn't please my people, any
how" she retorted.
The greatest nuisance in the world are
ones relations" cried Reggie Now, If
you We're an orphan
IA A-eAlBN ~ say III Ubl
Still, one can't marry only 10 please
ones mother" he insisted
Not only"
oh WELL he said. and walking slow
ly away from her chair, Reginald took
his hat from the table again He stood
for some time staring into its lining. and
! then he sighed.
1T is growing late" Joan murmured.
"Only just five
II though. baI ba
Not that I'm in the least hurry" he
answered
Il fancied you were"
But, then, Roper will be here he said
| lugubriously
Yes"
Joan don't believe you've made up
your mind yet"
81 always like TO look before ] leap"
she insisted.
YES, it's an awful plunge he said,
| with solemn air.
You see, Reggie. there's an applauding
crowd watching to see me take IT."
at would be an awful sell for thcm,
| wouldn't it?" he suggested, putting down
his hat.
What" Joan asked.
1T isn't too late" he insisted
TOO late?"
Joan" he whispered and he captured
the hand which held the bunch of prim-
roses. Dearest, were at the parting OF
the ways"
"Oh, please don't be tragic Reggie"
I'VE can go together, or we can-we can
do the other thing
Il don't think l can, she said.
why nOt?" he whispered.
lin just a little afraid
But | shall be there, dear a rather
| rough road-perhaps at first; but togeth-
er, you know"
''All my people"
Reginald astonshed her by the blunt
ness of his retort. r5.A
You oughtnt to speak like that Of
Them she said, reproachfuily.
No. | oughtnt." he admitted. But
| what | say doesn't matter. The word is
| with YOU
How often have l said it, she cried.
But this time there seems a kind of
| finality about it" he said, ruefully. And
| as he spoke a hanson drove up to the
door
That is Lord Roper" she exclaimed,
darting TO the window.
Am / to go?' he asked.
'Oh, please
"Good-by, JOAN" he said, and took his
hat again.
You will meet him on the stairs" she
| cried, as Reginald stepped toward the
/ door.
Il will stay if you like he offered, COM
| ing to standstill.
Il don't think
"Oh. very WE'LL he said. turning away.
Perhaps you had better" she exclaim-
ed. coming toward him. And, Reggie!'
Yes" he said, meeting her half way.
IF you care for the primroses-"
do - he returned