Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-07-06

on talking so carclessly and yet so
meaningly, so brightly and still so
seriously, that it seemed to her but
moment or two before he looked
from the window and stood up. Draw
ing a slender parcel from his pocket
he unwrapped a single, long stemmcd
pink rose
Il must get off here in order to get
back to an important case with your
father. | only got on TO tell you
goodby. Didn't want to interfere
with Maync 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
| shall bring you that red rose" He
was gone, without touching her hand
In farewell She sat gaspiug 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 man
aged To obtain her promise to answer
his letters
Thereafter Duuham wrote her not
regularly, but when the fancy seemed
to seize him whimsical, vigorous, Joy
full, masculine letters, whOleSomely
free from all lovcmakng She an
swered, and sometimes when he was
very busy he called her up on the
long distance phon" in lieu of n let
ter. Meantime Mayne had sent bush
els of flowers. had written ponderous-
ly sentimental epistlcS 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 relentlesSly
logical mind. On his return he saun-
tered into Dunham's office.
Morning, old man"
Morning, Mayne. Enjoy your Wis
III" How the deuce did Dunham know
he'd been away? Maync hazarled
guess
Yes, called on Miss Carroll Write
to her, don't your Taken off guard,
Dunham admitted the soft impeach-
ment and was instantly sorry. Mayne
laughed with unctuouS amusement
Thought you We're too astute for
that. Bet she's got you going-has
me. Stringing you for rll she's worth.
Practiced hand. Great girl end
popular. Knows how to do 1t, Miss
Carroll" Dunham's anger rose, but
he answered carclessly:
Look to yourself Mayne. Guess l
can take care of Johnny" But after
Mayne went the tide of his anger
surged toward Rose Carroll When
he could stand II no longer he went
TO the phone, closing the door of the
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, l
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 me-" \ long pause,
while he listened intcntly.
NO, did not think so / simply ask
| ed. | have not the time nor the tenn
| per to play. You will forgive me for
asking you? No, can't tell you what
made me think of such a thing Yes,
some day | Will Certainly | believe
! you. What2 May |? May | come
| this week. OF course | want to- But
can't reach you till Saturday even
ing aud will have TO Start back Sunday
morning. It's long way, and connec
tons are bad All right Goodby till
| Saturday"
At 4 In the afternoon Of June l John
! Dunham stepped from his. train at St
Louis and went to n hotel to get rid
OF his travel stains and appease his
| hunger
About I he emerged faultlessly at
tired. visited florist and took cab to
Dean Carroll's stately old home.
Rose came to him in the dim candle
| light Of the library, vision in SHIN
merlng gray He had intended meet
| ing her in his usual easy way. but the
! clamor Of his heart and the wine Of a
| CeEldlD pTOu'l IlelulhB III Iht 6iuh'C VI
her blue eyes swept him into speech
| lessness. He stood long looking at her,
her hand still in his Then he dropped
the small hand back Mt her side and
atrode out into the hall.
In moment he came back and clasp
ed her warm little fingers about the
stem OF n glowing red rose.
The red rose" he said simply the
time for It Is now, isn't IT, 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 murmurcd. II And rs
she did not finish, with n sudden long
ing he held out both his hands TO her.
"Will you come, Rose" With the
pride OF a 5n,all queen, Rose Carroll
laid her two hands In his.