The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1905-03-29

w nen he had smoked Il long black
cigar John Durham sauntcred into
the next car. About the middle of
the aisle he stopped suddenly nj a
quick exclamation:
why, Mr.. Dunham,"
He looked down and saw, with mp
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
little tlmidly Aud he did and went
ON talking SO earelessly aud yet so
meanlngly. so brightly aud suu So
seriously, that II seemed to her hut
moment or two before he looked
from the window and stoed up Draw
ing slender parcel from his pocket,
he unwrappcd Il single, long stcmmcd
pink rose.
Il must get off here i'll order To get
back to an important case with your
father. | only got on TO tell you
goodby. Didn't want to Interfere
with Mayne ut the station can't
compete with this floral generosity"
and lie laid the rose in her lap but
this is to remind you that some day
| shall bring you that red rose" lie
was gone, without touching her hand
in farewell She sat gasping pleased.
astonishcd, 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 Durham had man
aged to obtain her promise 10 answer
his letters.
Thereafter Durham wrote her not
regularly. but when the fancy seemed
TO seize him whimsical, vigorous, Joy
ful, masculine letters. wholesemcly
free from all loyemaklng. She an
swercd, and sometimes when he was
very busy he called her up ON the
long distance phone In lieu of Il let
ter Meantime Wayne had sent bush
els of flowers, had written ponlcrous
ly sentimental epistles and hcavcd
many ponderous signs. Twice he had
gone TO see his divinity, ans on his
last call her lack of interest in his
elaborate mention of Durham raised
suspicion In his slow but relenllessly
logical mind. On his return he saun
tered Into Dunham's Office
Morning. old man."
Morning. Mayne. Enjoy your Wis
IT." How the deuce did Durham know
he'd been away? Wayne ha2arded
guess
Yes. called ON Miss Carroll Write
TO her. don't your Taken of guard,
Durham admitted the soft impeach=
ment and was Instantly sorry Mayne
laughed with unctuous amusement
Thought you were too astutc for
that. Bet she's got you going has
me! Strnging you for all she's WORTH
Practiced hand! Great girl no end
popular Knows how to do IL, Miss
Carroll" Dunhams anger rose, hut
he answered carelessly:
Look 10 yourself Wayne. 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
inner office, and called mp st, Louis
and Miss Carroll. After an hours de
| lay he got her and went straight 10
| 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 meY a 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 your No, | can't tell you what
made mo think of such thing. Yes,
some day | will. Certainly believe
you What? May II May | come
this week. OF course want to- But
l can't reach you TIL Saturday even
ing aud will have TO start back Sunday
morning. It's II long way, and connec-
lions are bad All right goodby TIL
Saturday"
At i in the afternoon of June John
Durham stepped from his train at st
Louis and went TO n hotel TO get rid
OF his travel stains and appcasc his
hunger
About I he emerged fnutcssy at
tired, visited n florist and took n cab to
Dean Carrolls stately old home.
Rose came to him In the dim candle
| light of the library, n 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 n
certain proud yielding in the glance Of
her blue eyes swept him into speech
lessness. lie stood long looking ut her,
her hand sui In his Then he dropped
the small hand back at her side and
strobe out into the hall
In moment he came back and clasp
ed her warm little fingers about the
stem OF 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 mt her
isn't Il time, dear?" he insisted.
"Yes," she murmured. Il" And rs
she did not finish, with n sudden long
ing he held out both his hands TO her
"Will you come. RoseT With the
pride OF small queen. Rose Carroll
laid her two hands In his.
/