The record-union., 1899-01-02
4 BUNCH OF PRlMROSES.

The first / have seen this year." he
said, as Joan took small bunch Of
primroses from the table.
Beautiful, aren't they?" she cried
Very" said Reginald, looking full
into her eyes.
Nonsense. Besides" Joan added,
you oughtn't to say so.'
why not?" he demanded, coming
nearer.
1T isn't expedient."
sI wish it were lawful" he said
Joan sighed as she looked down at
the primroses.
Il wonder whether you will think me
very shabby?' she murmured.
''Why?"
eff 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, Reggie!"
you don't, then?'
Eyes, 1 do,'' she insisted. And she
flung the primroses carelessly on the
table
IF you've finished with them"
sWen?" 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 keep them?'' he pleaded.
Give them to me- she said. and he
pat them in her hand. Then Reginald
replaced his hat on the table. "Oh!" she
expostulated.
You want me to go?"
Lord Roper is coming" she explained
with a fine blush.
'But he's only just gone; met him"
Hes coming back said Joan, a lit
tie petulantly
Anyhow, I've often been in the same
room with Roper BEFORE" Reginald sug-
gested, with an anxious expression.
Eyes, but"
"Of course, if you really want me to
go" said Reginald.
ooh, I don't know what I 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 lace.
at might not be unprejudiced, Reg
gie.'
His hand CHANGED to touch her fair
brown hair.
HAS Roper"
YES she said quickly.
And you l1esitated."
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 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 t.
"Just for an hour, perhaps she re-
turned, land if"
'Well?" he said.
IF 1 weren't a wise woman you've
might be miserable longer, you know"
Il should like to take the risk he
muttered. "Of course, I haven't got
10000 a year.
Poor old Reggie; no, you haven't
to be your grandfather" he said.
ooh, that's a libel,' she cried, sitting
upright. Besides, 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 nuisances in the world
are ones relations cried Reggie.
Now, if you were an orphan
I'm happy to say I'm not"
"Still, one can't marry only to please
ones mother" he insisted.
Not 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 it's lin
ing, and then he sighed.
Il suppose I may as well co." he sug-
gested.
1T is growing late" Joan murmured.
only just five
II thought it was half-past." she
said
mot 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
II always like to look before leap"
she insisted.
Yes, it's an awful plunge" he said,
with a solemn air.
tYOl1 see Rapria thomas ~ or,1o,d
ing crowd watching to see me take it."
TT would be an awful sell for them.
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 cap
tured the hand which held the bunch of
primroses. Dearest, were at the part
ing of the ways"
"Oh, please don't be tragic, Reggie!"
I'VE can go together, or we can-we
can do the other thing
II don't think I cam she said.
'Why not?' he whispered.
Tim just a little afraid
But l shall be there, dear A rather
rough road-perhaps at first; but to-
gether, you know"
4All my people,
Reginald astonished her by the blunt
ness of his retort.
you oughtn't to speak like that of
them,' she said, reproachfully.
mo, oughtnt," he admitted, eBut
what I say doesn't matter. The word
is with you.''
How often have said it," she cried.