Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-08-18
MASTER Waller, DIPL0MAT|ST

ana the Botanical Gardens were
Tor one afternoon. throwing off
their USUAL reserve. Ordinary folk had
only to come across Regents Park from
Chester Gate and present Il card at the
entrance to the gardens. and the bow
ler-hatted old gentleman at the gate
welcomed them as though they were
most important members. Miss He
wcllyn and Master Kenneth Waller
he friend. walked on the grass i'll the
direction of music.
"Anybody you know here, Miss Lie
weliyn?"
~ don't suppose so. Kenneth"
"You don't know many people. do
you. Miss I.lewellyn?"
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 hereY'
Seems possible. You think that ev-
erybody ought to have plenty of
friends?'
PLENTY Of friends" said Kenneth,
wisely, but one in particular. Won
der how old you are?'
That" said the young woman. good
temperedly that is the only question.
Kenneth. that you must never put to IA
lady"
II 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 26." Miss
Llewellyn gave a quaint gesture OF hor-
Tor. well, %. then. Fancy" The
small boy whist!ed amazedly. ''Twen-
ty-ive 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 l think, and two pieces of
cake"
The scarlet coated band perched on
seats near the glasshouse, with Il
crowd of smartly dressed folk in front
of them. started a cheerful selection
from comic opera. Miss LleweIIyn Il
composed young woman in an ordinary
way, as young women are who work
for their living. found herself in quite
delighted mood Music can do much
when it tries.
'Of course" said her candid guest.
with cake at his mouth. II don't mean
to say that you mightn't get married
even now had an aunt once who
was close upon 30 before she could get
any one to look at her"
THE instance Is encouraging, Ken
meth. Don't eat too fast. mind"
"Still," said the youth wisely. eff I
were girl should be jolly careful not
to miss 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 before
Shouldn't like to be an orchid. should
you. Miss Llewellyn? Why, you'd have
to grow out in South America. and peo-
pie would have fearful trouble to find
you. and risk their lives HullO.
Brown-faced chaps coming this way
Miss Llewellyn looked up and then
looked down again quickly, and for
moment her face went rather white.
Her hand trembed as she held it out
MR. Bradley" she said. How do
you do? I did not expect to see you
here"
II did not expect to see you again
anywhere" he said.
There was the pause that comes after
the banalites Of greeting. Master Wal
Ter, not having spoken for quite half a
minute. felt that he was in some dan
ger Of being overlooked, and coughed.
This is my little friend. Kenneth
Waller" she said Kenneth, this is
Mr.. Bradley"
Whats the matter with your face ?"
asked the small boy. Have you been
abrOad?'
Mr.. Bradley placed a broad fist on
the round iron table and leaned down
towards Master Waller good-nat,,red
,y. He seemed as confused at the
meeting as Miss Liewellyn, and as I'M
prepared with conversation
Il have been abroad. young man. I've
been hunting Orchids
Are you home for good now?" asked
Kenneth.
Miss Llewellyn gripped the parasol
that rested In her lap with both hands.
Il can't do any good at home" said
Mr.. Bradley Il am off again to South
America in a day or two"
why don't you stay In London?"
Nobody asks me to stay"
SHOULD have thought" said Master
Waller. that you could have got some
body to do that. Have you any for
eign postage stamps about you?"
Friendship between the two gentle
men was cemented and made perma-
nent by the production of several for
eign stamps and an envelope to place
them in. People were coming up to
the refreshment tent now. the band
having decided to rest for half an hour
and recover breath. and Master Waller
invited Mr.. Bradley to take his chair.
you don't mind?" asked Bradley OF
Miss I.lewellyn.
mot at ali" she said, politely
MAY | smoker"
LET me strike the match" interDOsef