The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-02-10

| news WOulQ receive from MISS HAD
ley than he did of the result to Ma
son. His admiration and enthusi-
asm had carried him almost to the
point of proposing when he had
seen her an hour or SO before.
But she is said to be engaged"
he muttered, and then he recalled
the infection with which Mason
had repeated. "Said to be" when
this remark had been made to him.
There is circumstantial evidence"
he added. Fisher certainly had
just left Hadley when he spoke of
it, and yet-and yet-there should
have been a formal announcement
before this"
He found her anxiously waiting,
and she was delighted with the in
formation he brought.
cts so good of you," she said.
| 81 wish l could truthfully say
that had done this solely for
lyou," he, returned, "but I can't.
| would have done it as readily, If
the news had come from some 9TH
err sources" 80
ooh, know it,"ashe broke in,
hastily. IF Hadn't known that,
wouldn't have dared send for you."
| "You wouldn't have let me do a
favor for your" he asked, re-
proachfully.
ooh, it isn't that, but-but-"
'But l have done something for
you-at least at your suggestion"
/ hr. inc tctp hoI hn In
spiration-"
ooh, no. she interrupted,
hastily; you did it just because
because you are a man, a real
man."
You said almost man once"
he suggested, with trace of re-
sentiment.
| well, almost a man. then"
| What must l do to be real
man. a masterful man." he asked;
and suddenly it seemed to him as
if he had his answer.
| She had come to him from the
conservatory, and he now noticed
that she was toying with rosa
deep-red rose. AS he finished his
question, and before she had time
tot answer, he reached out his
hand to take It. They were stand
ing near the entrance to the con-
Servatory.
| NO" she protested. weakly.
| 81 want it,, he said; and she let
him take it. but she did not look at
him.
| II want it," he said; and she let
him take it. but she did not look
at him.
give seen just four roses of that
peculiar shade" he said. This is
the fifth"
She did not mean to look up at
him, but she could not help it. She
| knew her face was crimson and
| she knew how he was looking at
her before she raised her eyes. She
also knew that, if his eyes met
hers at that moment, secret
would be betrayed. But she looked
up quickly, and then, without sue
cess, tried to look down again.
Josephine" he said, softly.
Don't" she pleaded. y
81 will" he said and he possess
ed himself of her hand. although
she made pretense of trying to
withhold it. "The rose was your
courier. Josephine-a little in ad-
vance. but you'll follow 1t. You
must follow it."
"You-you are hurting my
hand" she protested, finally with
drawing her eyes.
my hand" he corrected. "The
rose is mine, all the roses are
mine-I mean to have the bush
that grows them. They have
meant lot to me. Josephine, and
they would have meant more, if |
had known the truth. l needed en-
couragement, but l was fool to
believe that Miss Dale"
you thought that?" she asked
quickly.
IT was told that"
"Then that was why"
YES" he said. that was why
To show my appreciation was a
courtesy"
"Only a courtesy" she asked
roguishly. She had recovered some
thing Of her self possession now
and she again looked up at him
For answer he took her in his
arms. almost roughly. Her eyes
: her color and her smile had zorro
3 borated the story told by the rose
5 "Mine!" he explained, passion
4 ately, and for a rapturous moment
his kisses forbade and attempt al
5 verbal protest. if she had been dis
| posed to make one.
S 81 haven't told you So" she final
5 ly managed to say, smiling up into
his face.
e Il don't need to be told;
Q know" he answered.
And am I to be taken thus auda
'ciously?" she pouted Am I moi