The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-12-09
Creeds and Crocuses.
(By w. Bert Foster. In Two Parts)
PART IL

For two days the rector Of st. James
ripidIv stified his interest in crocuses; his
interest in creeds, however, was not en-
tirelv satisfying. On Sunday. after YES
ners. he overlook on his way home little
figure in a fawn-colored gown.
"You must see my crocuses. Mr.. Smiles"
she said. 'The buds VIII be open before
Sunday"
The rector glanced gloomily at the dark
en.ng sky, and thought that probably there
would be a frost that night. But he could
not lcng think of frost and other unpleas-
ant possibilities at her gate, and again
crocuses triumphed over creed. The cro-
cuses were fourishing finely; the creeds
took a back seat-indeed a vry unobtru-
siva seat in the rectors memory.
His interest in the crocus continued that
even.ng to so late an hour that his old
servitor really thought he was not coming
to supper and cleared away the repast.
HNeyer mind" said the rector, 81 am not
hungry" and when the old man had dod-
dered off to bed he sat down before the
omen window of his chamber and stared
out into the still night.
He sat there for an hour. A light burned
behind the curtain of one of his neighbor's
windows. That was her light, ne knew.
Finally it disappeared, but he sat on, his
arms folded upon the sill, his eyes glar-
ing fixed into the darkness. Greed was
making a strong fight for life.
II grew rapidly colder, and suddenly the
Rex. Wetherby Smiles awoke to the dis
comforts of the outer man. He ehivered
and drew away from the window. There
was no breeze and no clouds, but an In
creasiug chill made him close the case
ment.
Then he slipped on a smoking jacket and
went to the door. There was light haze
upon the river and simmer OF frost
in the air.
"a bad night for the farmers and fruit
growers" he thought. Then his mind re-
yerted to those crocuses. 'They will be
black by morning." he said. "Too bad!
and the little woman thinks so much OF
them" =
He hesitated a woment, and then went
in again, reappearing shortly with an old
macintosh.
Just the thing to spread over the bed
to defend them from the frost" he NUT
tered. and with long strides crossed the
rectory garden and leaped the hedge.
Feeling a good deal like a night prowler
who had no business in the place, he crept
through his little neighbor's garden and
apprcac ched the crocus bed near the porch.
He started at the slightest sound, and
glanced about fearfuly. Suposing anybody
should see him-one of the parishioners-
even his major domo!
Suddenly, just as he spread the covering
over the crocus bed and was turning hast
ily to flee, he heard a sound on the porch.
He started. and his eyes became fixed up
on the vision before him. A figure all in
white, and motionless, stood upon the
lower step.
The Rev. Wetherby Smiles was startled
but he was not superst;tious. For some
seconds, however, he stared at the appari-
ton before he recognized it Then ne
stepped quickly forward and began to
make excuses in a low voice.
Mrs. Scorrick-Lydia-I beg your par
don, but 1 thought"
He got no further in his faltering re-
marks. With a shuddering little cry the
figure tottered and would have fallen to
the ground had he not sprung forward and
caught her in his arms.
Good Lordv uttered the Rev. Smiles
the perspiration starting from his brow
what a situationr" He was tempted to
lay her down upon lhe porCH anu rum III
stead, he stopped down end-lifted her and
carried his burden into the house
There was a couch in the reception
room. He laid her down and lighted the
gas She opened her eyes languidly and
saw him.
'I have frightened you, Lydia" he said
REALLY. had no intention, you know.
only remembered the crocuses-
IL thought you were burglar" she
admitted. And when 1 heard your voici
-
Didn't you recognize it?' he asked.
"You-you had never spoken to me In
just that way before, and
He took her hand. 81 was only thinking
of the crocuses, Lydia" he said, which
was very true. He had quite forgotten the
"cree6"