Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-04-13

on talking SO carelessly and yet so
meaningly, SO brightly and still so
seriously, that it seemed to her but
a 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 stemmed
pink rose.
Il must get off here in order to get
back to an important case with your
father. 1 only got on to tell you
goodby. Didn't want to interfere
with Mayne 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
l shall bring you that red rose" He
was gone, without touching her hand
in farewell. She sat gasping-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 Durham wrote her-not
regularly, but when the fancy seemed
to seize him-whimsical, vigorous, joy
full, masculine letters, wholesomely
free from all lovemaking. She an
swered, and sometimes when he was
very busy he called her up on the
long distance phone in lieu of a let
ter. Meantime Mayne had sent BUSH
els of flowers, had written ponderous-
ly sentimental epistles and heaved
many ponderoJs signs. 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 relentlsssly
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 Dunham know
he'd been away? Mayne hazarded a
guess.
''Yes, called on Miss Carroll Write
to her, don't your Taken off guard,
Durham admitted the soft impeach-
ment and was instantly sorry. Mayne
laughed with unctuous amusement.
Thought you were too astute for
that Bet she's got you going-has
me! Stringing you for all she's worth
Practiced hand! Great gIrl-no end
popular. Knows how to do 1t, Miss
Carroll" Dunham's anger rose, but
he answered carelessly:
Look to yourself, Mayne Guess 1
can take care of Johnny" But after
Mayne went the tide of his anger
surged toward Rose Carroll When
he could stand 1t 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 Carrolll Know who
this isl 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 me?" A long pause
while he listened intently.
mo, did not think SOL 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 me think of such n thing. Yes,
some day l Will. Certainly 1 believe
you Whatf May 1? May / come
this weelt7 or course wnnt to- Rut
l can't reach you till Saturday even
ing and will have to start back Sunday
morning. It's long way, and connec-
tions are bad. All goodby-till
Saturday.
At in the afternoon OF June John
Dunham stepped from his train at ST
Louis and went to hotel to get rid
Of his travel stains and appease his
hunger.
About he emerged faultlessly at
tired, visited florist and took n cab TO
Dean Carroll's 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 or
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 at her side and
strobe out into the hall.
In Il 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 II is now, isn't itS" he ques-
toned quietly. stepping back with his
arms straight ut his side to look Mt her.
isn't IL time, dearf" he insisted,
YES" she murmured. "I"-- And rs
she did not finish, with n sudden long.
Ing he held out both his hands to her.
'Will you come, Rosef" With the
pride OF small queen, Rose Carroll
laid her two hands In his.