The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-01-22
CHAPTER XIII
The Deep-Red Rose.

Darnell, but Darnell was not to be
dissuaded. In truth, Darnell was
rather pleased with the course
events had taken. He wanted ex-
element; he had feeling Of reck-
lessness that made the prospect of
trouble rather enjoyable.
81 don't much care whether l win
or not" he said, but l do care
about your success. With me it's
only whim; with you it's a more
serious matter. We may not win
probably we won't--in your ward,
but I'd rather worry the Old Man
there than win in my own. l just
want to give him whirl that he'll
remember"
81 ought never to have got into
politics." Mason told his wife. I'm
not clever enough for 1t. 1 thought
it was like a business, but I find
the whole thing network of de-
ceit and subterfuge, and not one
proposition in 20 Is what it seems
to be on it's face"
"It's too bad you had to break
with Mr.. Bell and the rest of those
people," returned Mrs. Mason, dole.
fully.
"But had to do it," he urged.
"Of course you did," she admit
ted, with a sigh, "and I wouldn't
have had you do anything else for
the world, but it's going to be
awfully hard, Joe. if you lose now.
1t seems as If good. strong. hon
est man like you ought to win"
Society was still undecided as to
how it ought to take Darnell, but
1t was getting very close to the
point of turning from him as reso-
lutely as the position of his parents
would permit.
! Under these circumstances, Stan
ley Fisher lost some of his caution
and became more open in his hos
tility. He even ventured upon rath-
er sharp criticism of Darnel's
course in devoting his entire atten-
ton to the election of "slum al.
derman." He was unwise in this
and especially unwise in using that
particular term.
But" he said, with one Of his
disagreeable laughs, Eve must at
least give him credit for knowing
where he is most appreciated.
"Mr. Darnell seems to have nc
friends left" commented Miss Had
ley, carelessly. Miss Hadley was
arranging large bunch of roses
in a vase, for the Hadleys had a
fine, although small, conservatory
Except in the Eighth" correct
ed Fisher. "He has even aban.
doned his friends in the other slum
wards"
81 wasn't thinking of the slums
or of his political friends" remark.
ed Miss Hadley, quietly. at only
occurred to me that l had heard lit
tie except criticism or ridicule of
him recently"
"He had brought 1t on himself,
asserted Fisher.
Miss Hadley made no reply, ap-
parently being more interested in
the flowers than in the subject of
conversation.
May have that?" asked Fisher,
as she withdrew from the bunch a
perfect rose of such peculiar
shade of deep red that it seemed to
be entirely distinct from all the
others.
mot that one" she replied. THAT
is rare kind to which | have been
giving my personal attention.
don't think you could find another
like it in the city. But you can
have this"
She took one at random from the
vase and pinned it to the lapel OF
his coat.
81 am something of a floricultur.
ist," she added, land the deep red
rose has been both my pride and
my worry"
"For that reason" he urged, 81
would prize it all the more"
"And for the same reason" she
answered, with a smile, 81 am not
ready to part with it,
However, there was satisfaction
in having any rose from her hands,
and Fisher made the best of 1t. He
was content-until he met Darnell
the following day.
Fisher lived at the club that OAR
nell frequented. Fisher could be de-
pended upon to live wherever he
would come in contact with those
who could be most serviceable to
him. He had first made Darnell's
acquaintance at the club, but OF
late they had seldom met. Darnell
had not had as much time as usual
for his club, and the two were not
congenial, anyway. But they were
scrupulously polite to each other.
Fisher made some incidental and
congratulatory reference to the bril-
liancy and vigor of the campaign,
and then flower in the buttonhole
of DarnelPs coat caught his eye. 1t
was rose-the rose, in fact.
"A tribute from an unknown adj
mirer," laughed Darnell, noting the
direction OF Fishers glance. "All
sorts of strange things happen in
politics. This was left at the house
for me, with card on which was
inscribed the single word 'Encour-
agement.' But it seems to trouble
you
"Oh, no." answered Fisher. "lt
held my attention for minute, be-
cause thought recognized 1t. The
shade is unusual you know"