Amador ledger., 1906-06-15
Cr0cuSeS in March.
BY EDITH DOANE.

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-''
Words failing her, she stepped inside
the heavy curtains and regarded the
scene before her with astonished eyes.
IL was 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
hypnot1cally, 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 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 fine 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
the window and the softly whirling
makes outside. He won't believe it."
Who won't believe it?'
He has the crocus hobby as seriouslv
as oaooy, and they kept at it until in a
sisted that his crocus came m in
March. Once" apologeticallyE"
did have a crocus the last day of
March" u
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 chum, firmly,
WI! 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. "No
more calls tonight, Daddy, in this
storm, and company comin',' too"
Slipping her arm through her fathers
she led him close to the nodding blos-
SONS. Pretty fine crocuses-for
March" she 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! tutl 1t isn't fair to
take advantage of an old man." he
chuckled, but his eyes were full of ten
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. 1 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 I shall not worry as to your
safety" And with 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 it.
Whom is it from?" queried Dora,
Anne twisted the missive into a little
yellow ball and threw it defiantly
among the crocuses.
''It is from Mr.. John Rexall,'' she an.
swered, with as much indignation as il
that young man had Just been con
victed of some heinous crime, ''and il
says that great and august personagt
is delayed by the storm and will mo-
be here tonight
| "And you will be left alone"
| There are the servants. 1 do MOI
mind" returned Anne.
But this house is so isolated and the
grounds so large" Dora deliberated. 81.
she announced, with the relief of one
who has solved a knotty problem.
| Anne protested family.
"Yes, I WILL" Dora insisted. ''He is
only eighteen, but he will be company
'Of course I should like it," agreed
Anne.
| Dora swept parting glance over the
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 relapse6
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:
and both girls sank into chairs, laugh
ing and breathless.
Its judgment-because I wanted
HIM to believe-they grew" cried Anne
wiping her eyes.
An hour later Anne descended the
wide, open staircase. Her trailing gowI
hung in soft, straight lines; row Of