The San Francisco call., 1904-12-06
THREE ROSES
AND ANOTHER

/ the rose in her lap, but this is to re-
mind you that some day 1 shall bring
you that red rose" He was gone, with
out touching her hand in farewell. She
sat gasping-pleased, astonished, half
angry, but completely interested. She
looked at the pink rose. Then she
tossed the carnations from the window
and wondered how in the world John
Dunham had managed to obtain her
promise to answer his letters.
Thereafter Dunham wrote her-not
regularly, but when the fancy seemed
to seize him-whimsical, vigorous, joy
full, masculine letters, wholesomely free
from lovemaking. She answered, and
sometimes when he was very busy he
called her up on the long g-distance
| phone in lieu of a letter. Meantime
Mayne had sent bushels of flowers, had
written ponderously sentimental epis-
ties and heaved many ponderous sighs.
Twice he had gone to see his divinity,
and on his last call her lack of interest
in his elaborate mention of Dunham
raised suspicion in his slow but relent-
lessly logical mind. On his return he
sauntered into Dunham's office.
Morning, old man.
Morning. Mayne. Enjoy your visit ?"
How the deuce did Dunham know
he'd been away? Mayne hazarded a
guess.
Yes, called on Miss Carroll. Write to
her, don't your" Taken off guard, Dun
ham admitted the soft impeachment
and was instantly sorry. Mayne
laughed with unctuous amusement.
Thought you were too astute for
that. But she's got you going-has me.
Stringing you for all she's WORTH Prac-
ticed hand. Great girl-no end popular.
Knows how to do ii, Miss Carroll ="
Dunham's anger rose. but he answered
carelessly:
"Lo TX 10 Yourself, Ma re. guess
can take care of Johnny" But after
Mayne went the tide Of his anger
surged toward Rose Carroll When
he could stand it no longer, he went to
the phone, closing the door of the In
ner office, and called up st. Louis and
Miss Carroll. After an hours delay he
got her, and went straight to the
point.
THAT you, Miss Carroll? Know who
this is? Yes. Lovely spring day, 1
want to ask you something. Forgive
my bluntness, but l must know Miss
Carroll, in your letters and all, have
you meant everything? Or have you
been playing with me?" A long pause,
while he listened intently.
No. 1 did not think Sol simply
asked. 1 have not the tlmc-nor the
temper to play. You will forgive me
for asking you? No, 1 can't tell you
what made me think of such a thing.
Yes, some day l will. Certainly,
believe youl What? May L? May
1 come this week? OF course 1 want
to! But 1 can't reach you till Satur-
day evening, and will have to start
back Sunday morning. It's a long
way. and connections are bad. All
right-good- -by-till Saturday,"
At four in the afternoon of June 1
John Dunham stepped from his train
at st. Louis and went to a hotel to get
rid of his travel stains and appease his
hunger.
About seven he emerged fautlessly
attired. visited a florist. and took a
cab to Dean Carrolrs stately old
home.
Rose came to him in the dim candle
light of the library, a vision in SHIN
mering gray. He had intended meet
ing her in his usual easy way, but
the clamor of his heart. and the wine
of a certain proud yielding in the
glance of her blue eyes, swept him in
to speechlessness. He stood long look
ing at her, her hand still in his; then
he dropped the small hand back at
her side. and strode out into the hall.
In a moment he came back and
clasped her warm little fingers about
the stem of a glowing red rose.
THE red rose" he said simply, 1.-The
time for it is now, isn't ftp he ques-
toned quietly. stepping back with his
arms straight at his side to look at
her Isn't ii time. dear?" he insisted.
Yes" she murmured; L" And
as she did not finish, with a sudden
longing he held out both his hands to
her will you come Rose?" With
the pride of small queen, Rose Car
roll laid her two hands in his.
Copyright, 1904. by Joanna Single)
When a boy is extra good looking
the women say: Too bad he is not a