The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-11-03
A BUNCH OF ROSES.

"The first l have seen this year," he
said as Joan took small bunch Of
primroses from the table.
Beautiful, aren't they?" she cried.
"Ve1y," said Reginald, looking full
into her eyes.
"Nonsense. Besides" Joan added,
"you oughtn t to say so."
"Why not?' he demanded, coming
nearer.
SIT isn't expedient.
81 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, ReggieH
"You don't, then?'
eyes, l do," she insisted, and she
flung the primoses carelessly on the ia
BILE.
"If you've finished with them
"WeIl?" she asked. with a ohalleng-
ing glance.
"They will do for me-" he said, TAX
ing them up.
Certainly not. Joan cried. holding
forth hand.
"Mayn't 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. "Ohp'
she expostulated.
| "You want me to go?''
"Lord Roper is coming" she ex-
planned, with fine blush.
"But he's only just gone. met
him'-
"He's coming back, ," said Joan, lit
tie petulantly.
"Anyhow I've often been in the same
room with Roper BEFORE" Reginald
suggested, with an anxious expression.
"Yes, butt
"Of course, if you really want me tc
CO." said Reginald.
"Oh, don't know what / want l'
she cried, leaning back in her chair.
"Let me offer my advice, Joan," he
urged, with hand on the back of hel
chair.
She raised her chin, looking up into
his face.
sim afraid
"Well?'' he said as she hesitated.
''It might not be unprejudiced, Reg
gie."
His hand chanced to touch her fail
brown hair.
"Has Roper
eyes," she said quickly.
"And you hesitatedr''
81 promised to decide in an hour,
she admitted.
"Joan,'' he said, bending forwart
over the back of her chair, "you' r.
not''-
eyes," she murmured, ''I think
am, Reggie"
After short silence, during whicl
she stared very hard at the bunch o
primroses, Reggie whispered:
"You'll be awfully miserable"
"Oh, don't know - she said.
$50 shall II
"Just for an hour, perhaps" she re
turned, "and if''-
, "Well?'' he said.
eff weren't wise woman, you
we-might be miserable longer, yo
know"
, II should like to take the risk" b
muttered. "Of course, haven't &c
e10, 600 a year.
"Poor old Reggiel No, you haven't.
! "And can't pretend to be old enoug
|: to be your grandfather, he said.
"Oh, that's a ibell" she cried, sit
ting upright Besides, one can't al
: ways please oneself"
you.''
"It wouldn't please my people, any
how" che retorted.
1.-THE greatest nuisance in the worl
are ones relatives. cried Reggie
"Now if you were an orphan
'' "I'm happy to say I'm not
"Still, one can't marry only to pleas
ones mother" he insisted.
"Not only
"Oh, well, he said, and walkin
slowly away from her chair, Reginal
| tOOk LIE Ddt ITOlu lu6 tdUl6 again. II
stood for some time staring into it's liz
ing, and then he sighed.
81 suppose | may as we'll CO." b
suggested.
"It is growing late, Joan murmuret
"Only just 81
81 thought it was half past" st
said.
"Not that I'm In the least hurry,
he answered.
81 fancied you were."
"But, then, Roper will be here"
said lugubriously.
Il "Yes''-
"Joan, l don't believe you've mao
up your mind yet.
81 always like to look before 1 leap,
she insisted.
"Yes, it's an awful plunge" he salt
with solemn air.
y. "You see. Reggie, there's an applau'
10 ing crowd watching to see me take it.
p at would be an awful sell for then
u u wouldn't it?" he suggested, putin
down his hat.
"What?" Joan asked.