Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1905-04-21
Three Roses and
Another
BY JOANNA SINGLE

DIR. John Durham knew what he did
not want He could also instantly rec
ognize what he did want when he saw
Ii. These traits had been Of use to him
In working his way through college,
through medical school after that and
into a nourishing practice now two
years old.
In love as In business IL was the
same, only the girls he had thus far
met were undoubtedly the ones he did
not want DIR. Johns black gray eyes
were 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 thirty-two and
beginning to think he had missed her
ana was deciding to devote his spare
time entirely to rose culture when the
no longer expected happened.
In September he went, with a col
league. Frederick Mayne, NJ. d.. to a
medical convention in st. Louis. Seat
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 deiicacy OF n pink tea rose,
that her head was poised like a 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 a
low tone:
Look carefully at this ring on my
finger. and don't glare up. I want to
ask question. Who is she?'
Strangely enough. Mnyne knew who
''she" was.
Dean CAROLS daughter, Rose" he
! replied. Then as they both looked I'D
earelessly he continued. IL may as we'll
tell you that I shall try to get her"
Choking back 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
nay 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
IT'S everlastingly too late, doctor.
All ask OF you is not to tell her
wanted TO meet her and-nos to praise
me TO her" The serious eyes of the
young man checked the old mans
smile
Upon my soull / believe you're in
earnestw
II warn you that 1 am" Dean Car
roll looked DIR. 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 I knew you at col
lege and In your success since. Your
tactics are worthy OF q general and
victory. Come along. But perhaps
you'd like me first to suggest to her
that you're a dangerous character7"
John laughed contentedly.
Better that than encomiums."
Rose Carroll met her fathers old pu-
pil none the less graciousiy 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 wes time enough for that.
John began well. While deferentiaI, |
he was not ndoring: while entirely APP
preciative, he was not inslstent in his |
enjoyment of her society, which he |
accepted with n sort OF seemingly tran
silent spirit OF camaraderie that plqued |
her 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
ponderous personality upon the girl |
Durham asked permission TO call next |
day.
He did call and was carelessly enter
tanning. he let himself 60, showing
bis real self. speaking OF his youthful
adventures in the west. OF his roses at
home and leaving n sort OF an impress
sion that he was n man Into whose life
women had entered little and that they
Were TO him q sort of pleasant relaxa-
ton from works day cares.
Rose found herself putting forth I'M
usual efforts to please this man, who
was not. as others. apparently IN the
least subjueated by her charms. He
did not stay long. but as he arose to
go 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.
BE laughed down into her eyes.
Il wanted TO give you a red one.
only The significance Of his tone
and his hesitation made her rise to his
throw.
only you didn't darer' she finished
for him.
ooh. dared.s.s he replied cooiiy.
but I thought wouldn't-yet! The
best for the last. you known And
ne ieft her trying to decide whether
he meant anything or nothing Asl
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
ne reached his Office he looked up the
trains.
Next morning at 7:55 he walked mn
10 tne station. Just around the corner
en me platform he saw Rose Carroll
smiling at Mayne. who carried her
sut case and a great bunch of pink
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 Mat
Iorm. while Mayne, triumphant In his
favor. put the lady into seat
ana bestowed her luggage about her.
AS the train pulled out Durham look j
70 from his window IN the smoker and ,
oeneid the idioticaily adoring face of
Mayne. who was, waving his farewell
When he had smolrod o. ion- -,