The Press., 1898-04-07
A YOUNG DIPLOMAT.

the botanical gardens were, for one ait
ernoon, throwing off their usual re-
serve. Ordinary folk had only to come
across Regents park from Chester gate
and present card at the entrance to the
gardens, and the bowler halted 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 Lew
ellyn?'
81 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 well 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
lady
Il should guess he said critically
as they sat down Ill the low chairs near
the refreshment tent and watched the
people, THAT you were about 26. - Miss
| Llewellyn gave a quaint gesture OF hor-
~ he
small boy whistled amazedly. Twenty
five and not married yet.
"Young man, said Miss Llewellyn,
flushing and affecting tone of grave
severity II find your conversation
much too personal You would like
lemonade, think, and two pieces Oh
cake "
The scarlet coated band perched OIL
seats near the glass house, with a crowd
of smartly dressed folk i'll front of them,
started cheerful selection from comic
opera Miss Llewellyn, a composed
young woman in an ordinary way, as
young women are who work for theil
living, found herself in quite delight
ed mood Music can do much when il
tries.
"Of course, said her candid guest
with cake at his mouth, Il don't mean
to say that you mightn't get married
even now l had an aunt once who wal
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
| 4 1. III Q.,1s
to miss good opportunity Are thos
orchids they're carrying there? Hash
that chap got brown face who's telling
the men where to take them? Seem t
have seen him somewhere before
Shouldn't like to be an orchid, shout
you, Miss Llewellyn? Why, you'd hav
to grow out i'll South America and pee
pie would have fearful trouble to fin
you and risk their lives-hello, brow
faced chaps coming this wayr'
Miss Llewellyn looked up and the
looked down again quickly, and for
moment her face went rather white
Her hand trembled as she held it out.
MIR Bradley. she said "How
you do? did not expect to see 20
here
Il did not expect to see you agai
anywhere, he said
There was the pause that comes afte
the banalities of greeting Master Wa
Ter, not having spoken for quite half
minute, felt that he was in some dar
ger of being overlooked, and coughed.
"Thls is my little friend, Kennel
Waller. she said Kenneth, this
Mr. Bradley
"What the matter with your face?
asked the small boy Have you bee
abroad?''
, Mr. Bradley placed broad fist g
the round iron table and leaned dow
toward Master Waller good naturedly
He seemed as confused at the meetin
I as Miss Llewellyn. and as unprepare
with conversation
. have been abroad, young man ~
been hunting orchids
Are you home for good now? aske
Kenneth
Miss Llewellyn gripped the paras'
that rested Ill her lap with both hand
Il can do any good at home, sa
Mr. Bradley am off again to Soul
Z America Ill a day or two
why don Won stay IN London?'
'NObCdy asks me to stay
''Should have Thought said Mast