Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-04-04


carnations. Before they saw him he
stepped back into the waiting room,
bought ticket to the next town north
and kept out Of sight until the train
came In. He swung on the rear plat
form. while Mayne, triumphant in his
moment of favor, put the lady into seat
and bestowed her luggage about her.
AS the train pulled out Dunham look
ed from his window in the smoker and
beheld the idiotically adOring face Of
Mayne, who was waving his farewell.
When he had smoked long black
cigar John Durham sauntered into
the next car. About the middle Of
the aisle he stopped suddenly at a
quick exclamation:
why, Mr.. Dunham!
He looked down and saw, with ap-
parent surprise, Rose Carroll, blush
ing and smiling. He removed his hat,
but made no effort to take the seat
which she had cleared for him beside
her.
Miss CARROLL So this is your train
how pleasant. Lovely day, isn't it"
Wont you sit down. she asked,
a little timidly. And he did and went
OH talking so carelesSly and yet so
meaningly. so brightly and still so
seriously, that it seemed TO her but
moment OF two before he looked
from the window and stood up. Draw
ing a slender parcel from his pocket,
he unwrapped single, long stemmed
pink rose.
IL must get off here In order to get
back to an important case with your
father. only got OH to tell you
goodby. Didn't want to interfere
with Mayne at the station. | can't
compete with this floral generosity
and he laid the rose in her lap, but
this is to remind you that some day
l shall bring you that red rose" He
was gone, without touching her hand
in farewell. She sat gasping-pleased,
astonished, half angry, but completely
interested. She looked ut the pink
rose. Thep she tossed the carnations
from the window and wondered how
in the world John Durham had man
aged to obtain her promise to answer
his letters.
Thereafter Dunham wrote her-nOt
regularly but when the fancy seemed
to seize whimsical, vigorous, joy
full, masculine letters. whOlesomely
free from all lovemaking She an
swered, and sometimes when he was
very busy lie called her up Oh the
long distance phone in lieu Of a let
ter. Meantime Mayne had sent BUSH
els Of flowers, had written pOnderous-
ly sentimental epistlcs and hcaved
many ponderous signs. Twice lie had
gone to. see his divinity, and on his
last call her lack of interest in his
elaborate mention Of Durham raised
suspicion in his slow but relentlessly
logical mind. On his return he saun-
tered into Dunlam's office.
Morning old man."
Morning. Mayne. Enjoy your Wis.
it," How tie deuce did Durham know
he'd been away: Mayne hazarded
guess.
"Ycs, called OH Miss Carroll Write
to her, don't you?" Taken off guard,
Dunham admitted the soft impeach
mcat and was instantly sorry. Mayne
laughed with unctuous amusement.
.,rrlnr,rl,t fnn n..tt, fnr
that. Bet she's got you going-has
me. S;ringing you for all she's worth.
Practiced hand. Great girl-no end
popular. Knows how to do it, Miss
Carroll" Dunham's anger rose, but
he answered carelessly:
Look to yourself, Mayne. 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 tie
inner Office, and called up st. Louis
and Miss Carroll. After an hours de
lay he got her and went straight to
the point.
THAT you. Miss Carroll? Know who
this is: Yes. Lovely spring day. !
want to ask You something. Forgive
my bluntness, but must know. Miss
Carroll. in your letters and all have
you meant everything or have you
been playing with mc:" A long pause,
while he listened intently.
..>-, I;,l NOT tl,inf, oil
ed. have not the time nor the tenn
per to play. You will forgive Inc for
asking you? No, can't tell You what
made me think Of such thing. Yes,
some day | will. Certainly believe
you. What? May 1? May l come
this week? OF course want to! But
| can't reach you till Saturday even
ing and will have to start back Sunday
morning. It's long way, and connec-
tions are bad. All right-goodby-till
Saturday"
At in the afternoon Of June / John
Dunham stepped from his train ut st.
Louis and went to hotel to get rid
of his travel stains and appease his
hunger.
About I he emerged faultlessly at
tired, visited florist and took Il cab to
Dean Carroll's stately old home.
Rose came to him in the dim candle
light Of the library. Il 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 Il
certain proud yielding In the glance Of
her blue eyes swept him into speech
lessness. He stood long looking mt her.
her hand still in his. Then he dropped
the small hand back ut her side and
strobe out into the hall.
In Il moment he came back and clasp
ed her warm little fingers about the
stem of a glowing red rose.
"The red rose" he said simply-"the