The Palatka news. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1905-04-14
BY JOANNA SINGLE

the sweet delicacy Of a pink tea rose.
that her head was poised like flower
and that breeding and courage showed
fl every feature and gesture.
Instantly the thought Of her as his
mounted 10 his head Ike wine, and his
look met beers with an intensity that
made her eyes drOOp. He turned cool
IL 10 Wayne beside him and said in a
low tone:
Look carefully at this ring Oh my
finger, and don't glare ~. want 10
ask a question. Who IS sheE"
Strangely enough. Mayne knew who
she" was.
Dean CarroITs daughter Rose" he
replied. Then as they both looked Up
carelessly be continued, Il may as well
tell you that shall try to get her.
Choking back a senseless anger, trying
10 realize that Mayne had as good q
right to want her as he, Durham an
swered quietly:
And l 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 you"
ITS eyerlastingly 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.
Il wish you luck" he said slowly.
You're as open now as you were dur
Ing the four years l 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 characterf'
John laughed contentedly.
Better that than encomiums."
Rose Carroll met her fathers old pu-
pil 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 begun well. While deferential,
he was not adOring; while entirely ap-
preciative, he was not insistent in his
enjoyment Of her society, which he
accepted with a sort of seemingly tran
sIent spirit Of camaraderfe that piqued
her q little. Several times during the
evening he drifted carelessly back near
her and watched with amusement
Mayne's breakneck endeavor TO make
use Of his time to impress his rather
Donderous 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 a 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 IN
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
90 he unwrapped a long slender par
eel 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.
II wanted to give you red one,
only The significance Of his tone
and his hesitation made her rise to his
throw.
"Only you didn't dare" she finished
for him.
"Oh, l dared" he replied coolly.
but | thought l wouldn't-yetl The
best for the last, you knoww And
he left her trying to decide whether
he meant anything or nothing. AS
he went out he met Mayne entering
with 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
northbound trains.
Next morning at 7:55 he walked up
20 the station Just around the corner
on the platform he saw Rose Carroll
smiling at Mayne, who carried her
suit case and great bunch OF pink
carnationsy Before they saw him he
stepped back into the waiting room,
bought a ticket 10 the next town north
and kept out OF sight until the train
came H. He swung ON the rear plat
form. while Mayne, triumphant IN his
momentof favor. put the lady into a seat
and bestowed her luggage about her
As the train pulled out Bunhan look
ed fro1 his window in the smoker and