Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1906-06-09
CrOcuSeS in March.
BY EDITH DOANE.


The speaker, her fur coat white with
snow, stood transfixed in the doorway.
"Crocuses! she gasped. "CrocuseS-
in early March-with the snow outside
an inch deep and more to follow! Gro
cuseS-"
the heavy curtains and regarded the
scene before her with astonished eyes.
1t was pretty room and long, with
blazing hre OF pine logs at one end;
room that bespoke warmth and home
and comfort. But the newcomer saw
none OF these. 1t was the mahogany
table in the centre at which she gazed
hypnotically. where masses of yellow
crocuses glowed in reckless profusion.
They raised tremendous GOLDEN heads
from a big brass bowl; they nodded
from long, slender vases; they famed
over the edges OF pewter jug in riot
Gus confusion.
The girl standing beside the table
poked the last slender green stalk into
place, and, stepping back. regarded her
work with hne triumph. She turned a
| flushed face toward the doorway.
The only trouble" she said, impress
sively, will be to make him believe
they grew"
Crew."
Yes, grew, naturally" with a vague
wave OF her hand in the direction of
flakes outside. He won't believe it,"
Who won't believe it?"
lie mas the crocus hobby as seriously
as daddy, and they kept at it until i'm a
moment or wild enthusiasm Daddy in
sisted that his crocus came up in
March. once apologetically-"we
March,"
But who" began Dora again.
'Da00V ba 6nnhfad hut Ia
didn't care, for by that time he had be-
gun to believe it himself; so when he
SAID he was coming to New York in
March he invited him out, insisted, set
the date and all. This is the date.
and" Anne dimpled, here are the
crocuses."
Anne" insisted her chum, firmly,
will you please stop saying he and
| him and tell me who and what you
are talking about?"
"John Rexall," essayed Anne. "The
| man daddy met In camp and liked so
well that he chummed with him, even
| though he shot more game than daddy
did himself. He has money and good
| looks and"
"Crocuses," suggested Dora.
Anne dimpled again. IF only could
make him believe they really crew.
The door at the further end Of the
| room opened to admit a gray-haired
man, rugged but kindly featured, who
| came down the room, watch in hand.
| Anne smiled at him across the crocuses.
| You may just as well put that watch
out of sight" she cried, as she placed
bowl of flowers on the piano. mo
more calls tonight, Daddy, in this
storm, and company comin',' too.''
Slipping her arm through her fathers
she led him close to the nodding bios
| SONS. Pretty fine crocuses-for
March," .she said, her eyes dancing with
mischief, as she reached up and be-
slowed kiss upon him so vigorous as
to leave him very little breath for pro-
test. DR.. Nelson pretended great in
dignation. Tut! tut! 1t isn't fair to
take advantage of an old man." he
derness as Anne laid her cheek softly
against his.
"You remember Milligan, the flag
MANI" DR.. Nelson said at last, again
glancing at his watch.
Anne nodded.
"He has been seriously hurts dying.
L must go at once. / shall be late"
There is always somebody" be-
gan Anne.
"EXactly!" DR.. Nelson thrust his
watch back into his pocket and smiled
at her disappointed face.
Explain it to John Rexall, and take
good care of him. With him to look
after you l shall not worry as to your
safety" And with a quick goodby he
was gone.
The sound of his departing horses
hoofs had hardly died away when John.
son appeared with a telegram.
For de doctah, Miss Anne" he an
| nounced.
Anne took the envelope from the out.
stretched tray and opened 1t.
"Whom is it from" queried Dora.
Anne twisted the missive into a little
yellow ball and threw 1t defiantly
among the crocuses.
at is from Mr.. John Rexall," she an
swered with as much Indignation as /
that young man had just been con
victed of some heinous crime, land 4
says that great and august personag,
is delayed by the storm and will no
be here tonight"
"And you will be left alone"
There are the servants. L do no
mind" returned Anne.
But this house is so isolated and thu
grounds so large" Dora deliberated. :"
will send Tom over to stay with you,
who has solved a knotty problem.
Anne protested family.
"Yes, 1 WILL" Dora insisted. HE Il
only eighteen, but he will be company
"Of course 1 should like it," agreed
Anne.
| DOrd swept a parting Bidnce over tIl'
room. On every side flowers cleaned
in yellow splendor.
"When I consider these wasted March
crocuses," began Dora.
Anne giggled. "And the florists bill
for the same"
At this Dora gave way and relapset
into a helpless fit of laughter, where
upon Anne laughed, too, half hysterical
ly, helpless to stop herself-laughed un
til the crocuses shook in their tall vase
land both girls sank into chairs, laugh
ing and breathless.
TITS q judgment-because I wanted
him to believe-they grew" cried Anne
wiping her eyes.
An hour later Anne descended thu
wide, open staircase. Her trailing gown
hung in soft, straight lines; a row o
tiny pearls clasped her throat; SOM
crocuses were tucked in her belt, an
one crocus nestled in her hair.
At the bottom step Johnson waited.
"Gentleman to see you, Miss Anne
/ done put him in de library"
What is his manner"
II disremembered to ask him hi
name. He said yo' all was expectin
him"