Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1917-11-02
TWO
): ROSES"
By WARREN MILLER

'ot
tween gentlemen. In the north the
practice had almost entirely died out.
The middle of the nineteenth century
marked the elimination of the planta--
ton system. Till that period men
clung to customs they had inherited
from the cavalier settlers of Virginia.
Ten years later all was changed by
the war between the states. In 1850
there stood OH tAe James river not far
from Richmond one of those manor
houses in which resided the typical
southern planter. The house is there
today, but Thea system taat was in
vogue among those who, lived in it has
passed away. Richard Carlton was at
the time l mentioned the patriarchal
head of a lovely family of boys and
girls and a thousand slaves. This
story pertains only to his second
daughter, Alice.
When Alice was eighteen years old
she was courted by the sons OF the
neighboring planters. She vas of a
romantic disposition and not inclined
to give herself to any man save n
who would do. daring deeds to win her.
Two young men, Reginald Fftz Hugh
and Willard Fairfax, became the ia
vorites with Miss Alice. She was not
in 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 1t is probable that her principal
object was to learn which would fight
for her. She pledged each one to keep
the secret of the engagement till h
was ready to %nnounce 1t herself.
One morning The rivals met. They
were on horseback riding along the
road that bordered the north bank of
the james river. Each wore a red rose
in his ~buttonhole. They were friends
and stopped for a chat. Each noticed
especially the rose worn by the other.
Ibid you decorate yourself" asked
Fitz Hugh of Fairfax, "or did your
fair lady give you the rose?"
"A fair lady. And yours?"
II. too. must plead guilty of being
favored by u 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 cheek flushed scarlet.
He had the evening before been ac-
! copied as Aliee,S iance. -
"You liei' he replied angrily.
To give the lie at that period among
southern gentlemen meant a duel.
Fairfax looked at Fitz Hugh in aston
ishment, then put spurs to his horse
and rode on without eve 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' a julep to 20 father
and Colonel Archer and ! heard 'em
taikin' 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 a ter
rible fright.
She directed her maid to finish her
couture 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, Il have heard
there is trouble between you and Will
lard Fairfax. What does 1t meanT"
"Willard was this morning wearing a
rose similar to the n you gave me.
He told me that you had given it to
him. This was to accuse o of dux
plicity. You surely would not have CIV
en- the same token you gave me on the
very day of our engagement. l 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. Fol
the first time she realized what she had
done in engaging 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?"
Eyes. I have been a very silly girl. !
not only gave it to him, but / accepted
him as | accepted you."
Fitz Hugh stood like a statue.
"Forgive me, Reginald. / wished to