Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-04-11

DR.. John Durham knew what he did
not want. He could also instantly rec
ognize what he did want when he saw
it. These traits had been Of use to him
In working his way through college,
through medical school after that and
into fourishing practice now two
years old.
In love as in business it was the
same, only the girls he had thus far
met were undoubtedly the ones he did
not want. DR.. John,S black gray eyes
We're always on the silent quest of an
unknown girl the thought of whom he
linked with the thought of roses. She
did not appear. He was tlsirty-two and
beginning to think he had missed her
and was deciding to devote his spare
time entirely to rose culture when the
no longer expected happened.
In September he went, with COL
league, Frederick Wayne, NJ. D., to a
ed at the formal banquet, he looked
up, just across the table, at her And
then he seemed to have always known
that she was small and blond, with
the sweet delicacy of pink tea rose,
that her head was poised like flower
and that breeding and courage showed
in every feature and gesture.
Instantly the thought of her as his
mounted to his head like wine, and his
look met hers with an intensity that
made her eyes droop. He turned cool
" to Mayne beside him and said in
low tone:
Look carefully at this ring ON my
finger, and don't glare up. | want to
ask question. Who is she?"
Strangely enough, Mayne knew who
tsshe" was.
''Dean Carrolls daughter, Rose" he
replied. Then as they both looked up
carelessly he continued, Il may as well
tell you that shall try to get her"
Choking back a senseless anger, trying
to realize that Mayne had as good a
right to want her as he, Durham an
swered quietly:
And ] may as well tell you that you
have me to work against. ! shall do
my best
At the reception following John Dun
ham accosted his old professor, Dean
Carroll, shook hands and asked:
Doctor. please introduce me to your
daughter"
Certainly. my boy-with pleasure.
But'-and the old man laughed-"I
warn your
ITS everlastingly too late. doctor.
All ask of you is not TO tell her
wanted to meet her and-not to praise
me to her." The serious eyes of the
young man checked the old mans
smile.
upon my soul! believe you're in
earnest"
II warn you that / am" Dean Car
roll looked Dr. John Durham over
carefully from head to foot. Then he
held out his hands.
II wish you luck" he said slowly.
you're as open now as you were dur
ing the four years knew you at col
lege and in your success since. Your
tactics are worthy Of a general and
victory. Come along. But perhaps
you'd like me first to suggest to her
that you're a dangerous character"
John laughed contentedly.
Better that than encomiums."
Rose Carroll met her fathers old pu-
Pill none the less graciously because he
was tall and strong and because the
heavy, dark hair framing his handsome
face was touched with gray. In fact,
he was so interesting that she met him
with an armor of protective resistance
beneath her graciousness. She was
used to easy victories over her admir-
ers, but not anxious. though she was
on the alert, for her own Waterloo.
There was time enough for that.
John began well. While deferential,
he was not adoring; while entirely APP
preciative, he was not insistent In his
enjoyment of her society, which he
accepted with a sort OF seemingly tren-
silent spirit Of camaraderie that piqued
her a little. Several times during the
evening he drifted careiessly back near
her and watched with amusement
Mayne's breakneck endeavor to make
use of his time to impress his rather
ponderous personality upon the girl
Durham asked permission to call next
day.
He did call and was carelessly enter
tanning. He let himself go, showing
his real self, speaking Of his youthful
adventures in the west, OF his roses at
home and leaving sort Of an impress
sion that he was a man into whose life
women had entered little and that they
were to him a sort of pleasant relaxa-
ton from workaday cares.
Rose found herself putting forth I'M
usual efforts to please this man. who
was not. as others. apparently In the
least subjugated by her charms. he
did not stay long. but as he arose to
go he unwrapped long. slender par
Gel he had been holding. crushed the
tissue paper in his fingers and put
one perfect white rose into her hand.
He laughed down into her eyes
81 wanted to give you red one.
only The significance OF his tone
and his hesitation made her rise to bis
throw.
"Only you didn't darer' she finished
for him.
"Oh, l dared" BE replied coolly,
but / thought wouldn't-yet. The
best for the last. you know" And
be left her trying to decide whether
he meant anything or nothing. Az
Ae went out he met Mayne entering
with a large florists box, and during
his call he had learned that she was
leaving the next day for home. When
he reached his Office he looked up the