Churchill standard. (Fallon, Nev) 1903-1908, 1906-06-16
CrOcuSeS in March.
BY EDITH DOANE.

snow, stood tranSflXed In the doorway.
"crocuses!" she gasped. 'Crocuses-
in early March-Wlth the snow outside
an inch deep and more to follow! Gro
cuSes-"
Words failing her, she stepped inside
the heavy curtains II regarded the
scene before her with astonished eyes.
1t was a pretty room and long, with
a blazing fire OF pine logs at one end;
a 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
ALPHABETICALLY, where masses OF yellow
crocuses glowed in reckless protusion.
They raised tremendous golden heads
from d big brass bowl; they nodded
from long, slender vases; they tiamed
over the edges of a 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 tine Lrlumph. She turned d
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
the window and the softly whirling
outside. He won't believe it."
Who won't believe it?"
II has the crocus hobby as seriously
as daddy, and they kept at it until in a
m of wild enthusiasm Daddy in
sisted that his crocus came up in
March. Once MISUNDERSTANDING
did have a crocus the last day OF
March"
But who" began Dora again.
Daddy saw he doubted it, but he
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 ehum, 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 l could
make him believe they really grew!"
The door at the further end of the
room opened to admit a gray-haired
man, rugged but kindly featured, who
N'Aii NN'ii III AcDtiit NoAt III lIliiAla
Anne smiled at hin across the crocuses.
You may just as well put that watch
of sight" she cried, as she placed
a bow of flowers on the piano. mo
more calls tonight, Daddy, in this
storm, and company comm, too
Slipping her arm through her fathers
she led him close to the nodding bios
SONS. Pretty fine crocuses-for
March" h said, her eyes dancing with
mischief, as she reached up and be-
slowed a 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
chuckled, out his eyes were full of ten
derness as Anne laid her cheek softly
against his.
You remember Milligan, the flag
DIR. Nelson said at last, again
glancing at his watch.
Anne nodded.
HE has been seriously hurts dying.
| must go at once. | shal be late"
''There is always somebody-' be-
gan Anne.
"EXactly!' DIR. Nelson thrust his
watch back into his pocket and smiled
at her disappointed face.
Explain it to John Rexali, and take
good care of him. With him to look
after you L shall not worry as to your
SAFETY. ALI WILL d lulGh SOplDN ne
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 tn
nounced.
Anne took the envelope from the out
stretched tray and opened it.
"Whom is it from?' Queried Dora,
Anne twisted the missive into a little
yellow ball and threw it defiantly
among the
1T is from Mr.. John Rexall," she an
swered, with as much Indignation as if
that young man had just been con-
Victed of some heinouS crime, and it
says that great n august parsonage
is delayed by the storm and will not
be here tonight"
And you will be left alone
There are the servants. l do not
mind returned Anne.
But this hous is so isolated and the
grounds so large Dora deliberated. II
will send Ton over to stay with you"
she announced, with the relief of one
who has solved a knotty problem.
Anne protested family.
Yes, l WILL" Dora insisted. He is
only eighteen, but he will be company"
"Of course l should like it," agreed
Anne.
Dora swept a parting glance over the
room On every SIDE mowers Sleamed
In yellow splendor.
when l consider these wasted March
crocuses," began Dora.
Anne giggled. And the florists bill
for the same"
AT this Dora gave way and relapsed
into a helpless fit of laughter, where
upon Anne laughed, too. half hysterical-
ly, helpless to stop herselt-laughed UNI
til the crocuses shook in their tall vases
and both girls sank into chairs, laugh
ing and breathless.
IT'S a judgment-because I wanted
him to believe-they crew. cried Anne,
wiping her eyes.
An hour later Anne descended the
wide, open staircase. Her trailing gown
hung in soft, straight lines; a row of
tiny pearls clasped her throat; some
crocuses were tucked in her belt, and
one crocus nestled in her hair.
At the bottom step Johnson waited.
Gentleman to see you, Miss Anne.
l done put him in de library"
What is his name?"
II aforementioned to ask him his
name. He said yo' all was expectin'
him."
Her face cleared; Tom, of course.