The Monmouth inquirer., 1898-03-31
A YOUNG DIPLOMATIST.

Gate, and present a card at the en-
trance to the gardens, and the bowler
hated old gentleman at the gate well
coined them as though they were most
important members. Miss Llewellyn
and Master Kenneth Walker, her friend
walked on the grass in the direction OF
the music.
Anybody you know here, Miss Lie
weilyn?
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 lemon
ade here?"
Seems possible You think that
everybody 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
a lady"
81 should guess" he said, critically.
as they sat down in the low chairs near
the refreshment tent and watched the
people, that you were about twenty
six" Miss Llewellyn gave q quaint
gesture OF horror Well, twenty-five.
then. Fancy" The small boy whistled
nmazedly. twenty-five, and not mar
ried yet"
Young man." said Miss Llewellyn.
flushing and affecting tone of great
severity, 81 find your conversation
much too personal You would like
lemonade, | think and two pieces of
cake"
The scarlet-coated band perched on
seats near the glass house, with a
crowd Of smartly dressed folks is front
of them, Started a cheerful selection
from comic opera. Miss Llewllyn.
a Composed young woman in an ordin-
ary way, as Young women are who
work for their living, found herself in
quite delightful mood. Music can dc
much when it 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
was close upon thirty before she could
get any one to look at her"
The instance is encouraging, Ken
meth. Don't eat too fast, mind,
= s.Sfil1, said the youth, wisely, If
were a girl, should be 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 De-
fore. Shouldn't like to be an orchid,
s1o1ld yoii, Miss Lewellyn? why
you'd have to grow out In South Adner-
Ira and people would have fearful trou-
ahIa 10 find you, and risk their lives
;HulIo! Brownfaced chaps coming tals
way
Miss Llewellyn looked up, and then
looked. down again quickly and for 9
,anbmeuk her face went rather white
Her hand trembled as she held it out
"Mr. Bradley" she said How dc
you do? did not expect to see yol
here
81 did not expect to see you agar
anywhere" he said.
There was pause that comes artei
the fornalities of greeting. Master
Waller, not having spoken for quit
half a minute, felt that he was IN som
danger of being overlooked. and cough
ed.
.This is my little friend, Kennetl
Waller" she said Kenneth, this
Mr.. Bradley"
whats the matter with your face?
asked the small boy. Have you beel
abroad?"
Mr.. Bradley placed broad fist O
the round table, and leaned down to
ward Master Waller good-naturedly
He seemed as confused at the meetln
as Miss Llewellyn, and as unprepare
for conversation.
II have been abroad, young mar
I'VE been hunting orchids.
"Are YOU home for good now?' aske
Kenneth.
Miss Llewellyn gripped the parast
that rested in her lap with both nano'
sT can't do any good at home, sal
Mr.. Bradley. II am off again to Sout
America in day or two.
"Why don't you stay in London!'
Nobody asks me to stay
ssShould have thought, said Maste
waller ..that you could have got some
hodv "a do that. Have you got an
foreign postage stamps about your.
Friendship between the two gentle
men was cemented and made permar
ant by the production of several for
eign stamps and an envelope to piae
them in. People were coming up 7
the refreshment tent now, the ban
having decided to rest for half an MOI
and recover breath, and Master Waiie
invited Mr.. Bradley to take his cnai
aYou don't mind?" asked Bradley
Miss Llewellyn.
aNot at ALL" she said, politely.
sMay + smoker"
.Iet me strike the match" intel
nosed Master Walker. I'm awful
aood at that. And tell us some oftyoa
: adventures"
.rhey wouldn't interest Miss Llewe
iyn.''
sCirls don't coint.' said Master Wa
ter. "TeIl me. Make it." SAID Masts