The Greeley tribune., 1906-06-14
CrOcuSeS In March.
BY EDITH DOANE.

| BY EDITH DoANE
| "Anne! Whatever in the world"
| The speaker. her fur coat white with
snow, stood transtixed in the doorway
| "Crocuses!' she gasped. "Crocusus-
in early March-with the snow outside
an incn 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.
1t 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. IL was the mahogany
table in the centre at which she sazed
hypnotically. where masses OF yellow
crocuses glowed in reckless proIusion.
They raised tremendous golaen neads
from a big brass bowl; they nodded
from long, slender vases; they famed
| over the edges OF pewter Jug in rot
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
hakeS outside. He won't believe it
Who won't believe it?"
He has the crocus hobby as seriously
as daddy. and they kept at it until in a
moment of wild enthusiasm Daddy in
sisted that his crocus came up in
4harch. once" apologetically-"we
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
and" Anne dimpled. here are the
crocuses."
Anne" insisted her chum, firmly,
viii you please stop saying he and
him and tell me who and what you
are talking about?''
John Rexan." essayed Anne. THE
man daddy met in camp and liked SO
we'll 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 gray-haired
man. rugged but kindly featured. who
SehAAS do"h liC tOoIi, NdtCl III IdIlu
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 BIOS
SONS. Pretty fine crocuses-fo1
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
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
I must go at once. l 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.
good care of him. With him to look
after you 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 it.
"Whom is it from? ?" queried Dora.
Anne twisted the missive into little
yellow ball and threw it defiantly
among the crocuses.
"It is from Mr.. John Rexall,' she an.
swered, with as much Indignation as i,
that young man had just been con.
says that great and august parsonage
Is delayed by the storm and will no,
be here tonight"
| And you will be left alone
There are the servants. l do moi
mind" returned Anne.
| But this house is so isolated and the
grounds SO large" Dora deliberated "I
will send Tom 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 Il 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 relapsed
into 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 vases
and both girls sank into chairs, laugh.
| ing and breathless.
| It's judgment-because 1 wanted
him to believe-they grew" cried Anne
wiping her eyes.
| An hour later Anne descended the
wide. open staircase. Her trailing gown
hung in soft, straight lines: 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.