The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1900-05-22


planned, with fine blush.
"But he's only just gone. I 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.
eyes, butt
''Of course, If you really want me to
go, ;" said Reginald.
"Oh, don't know what l wantr
she cried, leaning back in her chair.
"Let me offer my advice, JOAN" he
urged, with 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.
"It might not be unprecedented, Reg
gie"
His hand CHANGED to touch her fair
brown hair.
Has Roper
eyes" she said quickly.
"And you hesitatedp'
81 promised to decide in an hour,
she admitted.
JOAN" he said, bending forward
over the back of her chair, "you re
not
eyes," she murmured, 81 think l
am, Reggie. y
After a short silence, during which
CHI cfo I'D M hn hv1x1nh ~
primroses. Reggie whispered:
You'll be awfully miserable.
"Oh, don't know n she said.
$50 shall L
"Just for an hour. perhaps" she re-
turned, land if''-
"Well?'' he said.
"If weren't wise woman, you
we-might be miserable longer, you
know"
81 should like to take the risk, I" he
muttered. "Of course, haven't got
e10, 900 year.
"Poor old Reggiel No, you haven't. +"
"And / 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. "
81 don't see why-if it would please
you.
1T wouldn't please my people, any
how she retorted.
"The greatest nuisance in the world
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 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 its lin
ing, and then he sighed.
81 suppose l may as we'll go" he
suggested.
SIT is growing late, Joan murmured.
"Only just 81
ST thought it was half past, she
said.
"Not that I'm In the least hurry"
he answered.
81 fancied you WERE"
'But, then, Roper will be here. " he
said lugub1iously.
"Yes''-
"Joan, don't believe you've made
up your mind yet. -
81 always like to look before leap"
she insisted.
Eyes, it's an awful plunge, he said,
with solemn air.
"You see, Reggie, there's an applaud
ing crowd watching to see me take it. "
''It would be an awful sell for them,
wouldn't itp" he suggested. putting
down his hat.
"WhatP' Joan asked.
s'It isn't too late" he insisted
sToo later"
JOAN" he whispered, and he cap
tured the hand which held the bunch
Of primroses. dearest. we're at the
parting of the ways"
ooh, please don't be tragic, Reggiep'
1--WE can go together, or we can-we
can do the other thing"
"I don't think can, she said.
"Why not?'' he whispered.
"I-I'm just little afraid"
"But shall be there, dear. A rather
rough perhaps-at first, but to-
gether, you know"
"All my people,
Reginald astonished her by the blunt
ness of his retort.
"You oughtn't to speak like that Of
them," she said reproachfully.
"No, 1 oughtn't," he admitted.
xr,ba+ oou doocy,tf ynatfor Tho
word is with you.
Glow often have said itl'' she
cried.
"But this time there seems kind Of
finality about it," he said ruefully,
and as he spoke hanson drove up to
the door.
"That is Lord Roper" she exclaim-
ed, darting to the window
"Am to go?" he asked.
"Oh please
Good by, Joan" he said and took
his hat again.
"You will meet him on the stairs, +"
she cried as Reginald stepped toward
the door.
II will stay if you like. he offered,
cunning 10 stduustlAA
81 dom think''-
"Oh, very wellp' he said, turning
away.
perhaps you had better, she ex-
claimed, coming toward him. "And.
Reggie''
Eyes" he said, meeting her half
way.
IF you care for the primroses"-
81 do" he returned.
"Shall I''-
She drew quite close, and standing
on tipped toes (she was small person)
deftly placed the bunch in the button
hole of Reginald's frook coat Suddenly
Joan sprang away and the door opened.
Lord Roper entered with the air Of
successful wooer, but seeing Reginald
he appeared ludicrously astonished. He
stroked his dyed mustaohe with one
hand while he held his hat in the other
Joan's face grew red as peony, and
- H. xxu. s1r