TO

H. F. PREVOST BATTERSBY,

IN APPRECIATION
OF MUCH GOOD FELLOWSHIP.


Is happiness courted in vain?
A will o' the wisp—nothing more?
A bubble? a dream? a refrain?
Is happiness courted in vain
A certain begetter of pain—
A fruit with an asp at the core?
Is happiness courted in vain
A will o' the wisp——Nothing more!


CONTENTS

PAGE
LOVE'S USURIES[7]
A QUAINT ELOPEMENT[25]
TROOPER JONES OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE[53]
THE "CELIBATE" CLUB (DIALOGUE)[70]
IN THE CRADLE OF THE DEEP[78]
SOME CRAZY PATCHWORK[94]
"THE SOUL OF ME"[112]
IN A CORNFIELD (DIALOGUE)[131]
ON THE EVE OF THE REGATTA[136]
PEACH BLOOM[151]
TWIN SOULS (DIALOGUE)[176]
PAIN'S PENSIONERS[182]
FOR LOVE OR SCIENCE?[201]
ROMANCE OF THE COULISSES[228]