, 1898-12-28
A BUNCH OF ROSES.

1.-THE first ! have seen this year, he
said as Joan took a small bunch Of
primroses from the table.
Beautiful, aren't they?" she cried.
Every" said Reginald, looking full
into her eyes.
Nonsense. Besides" Joan added,
"you oughtn't to say so."
why not?' he demanded, coming
nearer.
st isn't expedient."
II 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 l 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, Reggiep
"You don't, them"
eyes, 1 do" she insisted, and she
flung the primoses carelessly on the ia
BILE.
"If you've finished with them
"Welll' she asked, with a challeng-
ing glance.
"They will do for me, he said, tax
ing them up.
Certainly not, /" Joan cried, holding
forth a hand.
"Mayn't 1 keep them?' he pleaded.
give them to me-, " she said, and he
put them in her hand. Then Reginald
replaced his hat on the table. "Ohi"
she e~xpoetulated.
"You want me to goT
Lord Roper is coming" she ex-
planned, with a fine blush.
but he's only just gone. I met
him.
"He's coming back" said Joan, a lit
tie p%etulantly.
Anyhow I've often been in the same
o with Roper before" Reginald
suggested, with an anxious expression.
Eyes, butt
"Of course, il you really want me to
60" said Reginald.
"Oh, 1 don't know what l want -
she cried, leaning back in her chair.
LET me offer my advice, JOAN" he
urged, with q 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.
ut might not be appropriated, Reg
gle"
His hand CHANGED to touch her fair
brown hair.
"Has Roper
eyes" she said quickly.
"And you hesitatedl !"
II promised to decide in an hour"
she admitted.
JOAN" he said, bending forward
over the back of her chair, you're
not
"Yes,'' she murmured. II think 1
am, Reggie"
After a short silence, during which
she stared very hard at the bunch of
primrOses. Reggie whispered:
you'll be awfully miserable"
"Oh, I don't know!' she said.
$50 shall l."
Just for an hour, perhaps" she re-
turned, land IT,
"Well?" he said.
of l weren't a wise woman, you
we-might be miserable longer, you
know"
Il should like to take the risk" he
muttersd. "Of course. l haven't got
el0. 600 = year
Poor old Reggiel No, you haven't"
And l can't pretend to be old enough
to be your grandfather, he said.
"Oh. that's a libell'' she cried, sit
ting upright. Besides, one can't al
ways please oneself"
II don't see why-if it would please
you"
ut wouldn't please my people, any
how" ahe retorted.
1.-THE greatest nuisance in the world
are ones relatives" cried Reggie.
"Now II you were an orphan
"I'm happy to say I'm not"
"Stil1, II can't marry only to please
one'H mother, " he insisted.
mot only
"Oh, we'll" he said. and walking
slowly AWAY from her chair, Reginald
took his hat from the table again. He
stood for some time staring into its lin.
ing, and then he sighed.
II suppose ! may as we'll 60, he
suggested.
ut Is growing late" Joan murmured.
"Only just g.
II thought it wal half past" she
said.
mot that I'm IN the least hurry"
be answered.
II fancied you were."
"But, then, Roper will be here" he
said lugubIiously.
"Yes'-
Joan, l don't believe you've made
up your mind yet"
II always like to look before l leap"
ahe insisted.
Eyes, it's m awful plunge, " he said, /,
with O 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. ,
"WhaaY'' joan asked.
A..y..r