Bridgeton pioneer., 1917-09-27
TWO
:: ROSES:
By WARREN MILLER

"s VI Seltling disputes ha-
sen gentlemen. In the north tho
a, had almost entirely died out
Inc middle of the nineteenth cent,,~
niafNed the elimination of the plants.
',oh system. Till that period mon
.iuhs TO customs they had inherited
Irom the cavalier settlers of Virginia
len years later aA was changed b,
tue war between tile states. In 1870
.here stood on the James river not fa,
from Richmond one of those mann,
ouses III which resided the typical
southern planter. The house is thors
-touay' out the system that was in
vogue among those who lived in it has
passeo away. Richard Carlton was Of
Tue tlme | mentioned the patriarchal
nead OF a lovely family of bows and
girls and thousand slaves. Tbis
e'ory pertains only to his second
daughter, Alice.
"hen Alice was eighteen years old
she was courted by the sons of the
nelghboring planters. She was of a
rfomantic disposition and not inclined
10 give herself to any man save one
who would Go daring deeds TO win her
Two young men, Reginald Fitz Hugh
ana Willard Fairfax. became the IA
Vorltes with Miss Alice She was not
sn love with either, but she liked both
And they were both worthy of her
she engaged herself to both Why
she did this she hardly knew herself
but it is probable that her principal
object was to learn which would fight
,r~for her. She pledged each one to keep
the secret OF the engagement till she
was ready to announce it herself.
One morning the rivals met. They
were on horseback riding along the
road that borderod the north bank of
the James river. Each wore a red rose
in his buttcnhole. They were friends
and stopped for a chat. Each noticed
:, especially the rose worn by the other.
Did you decorate yourself?" asked
F1tz Hugh of Fairfax, "or did your
fair lady give you the rose?"
"A fair lady. And yoursY'
Il, too, must plead guilty of being
favored Dy lovely woman"
They spoke of other matters, but
each was thinking about the others
rose.
"Come, Willard" asked Fitz Hugh
presently; IF you tell me who gave
you your rose will reciprocate.'
There is no reason why l should
withhold the lady's name," replied the
other. II was favored by Alice Carl
tom
Fitz Hugh's check flushed scarlet.
He had the evening before been ac-
cepted as Alices fiance.
"You lie!" he replied angrily.
To give the lie at that period among
southern gentlemen meant duel.
Fairfax looked at Fitz Hugh in aston
ishment, then put spurs to his horse
anG rode on without even asking an ex-
PLANTATION.
That afternoon Alice Cartons quad
room maid, Phoebe, came to her room
to dress her hair While thus engaged
the maid said:
81 heard somepin just now, Missy
Alice"
"What did you hear"
II think Mars Reggie Fitz Hugh and
Mars Willard Fairfax are goin' to
fight
Alice's heart stood still.
"Why do you think that?" she asked.
II was servin' julep to yo' father
and Colonel Archer and | heard 'em
talkin' about it,
When young persons are brought
face to face with tragic results of
their romantic designs they are apt to
quail. Alice Carlton sat outwardly
calm. but inwardly she was in ter
ribIe fright.
She directed her maid to finish her
coiffure with dispatch, then ordered her
saddle horse and rode away. Her
course indicated which of the rivals
had first place in her heart. She went
to Fitz Hugh Fortunately she found
him before reaching his home.
Reginald" she said, II have heard
there is trouble between you and VIII
lard Fairfax. What does it mean"
"WiIlard was this morning wearing |
rose similar to the one you gave me-
He told me that you had given it to
him. This was to accuse you OF du-
plicity. You surely would not have CIV
en- the same token you gave me on the
very day Of our engagement. I told him
he lied"
Alice paled. She knew what it was
for one southern gentleman to give an
other the lie. But this was not all. For
the first time she realized what she had
done in enga ging herself to two men on
the same day. There was but one
course for her to pursue-a confession.
II gave him the rose,' she SAID IN an
almost inaudible voice and with her
eyes bent on the ground.
"You gave it to him?"
"Yes. have been very silly girl.
not only gave it to him, but accepted
him as l accepted you."
Fitz Hugh stood like statue.
"Forgive me, Reginald. l wished TO
.o, ;f xo,, vuouId fioht for me-"