The Breckenridge news., 1906-06-06
CrOcuSes In March.
BY EDITH DOANE.

"Annel Whatever in the world"
The speaker, her fur coat white with
snow, stood transfixed in the doorway
"Crocuses!" she gasped. "Crocuses-
IN early March-wlth 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 hre OIL pine logs at one end;
room tnat bespoke warmth and home
ana comfort. but the newcomer saw
none OF these. Ii was the mahogany
| table in the centre at which she gdzed
| nypnoucauy, Wnere masses of yeuow
| crOcuses gloWed IN reckless protusion.
1hey raised tremendous COLLEEN heads
| nom big brass bowl; Jney 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 win nne triumph. she turned a
flushed face toward the doorway.
Ine only trouble, sne sdlu, Impres-
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
tiakes outside. He won't believe II .
CO. W no won't believe it?"
He has the crocus hobby as seriouslv
as daddy, and they kept at it until i'm a
moment OF wild enthusiasm Daddy in
sisted that his crocus came up in
March. once" Observation-Disclosures
did have a crocus the last day of
March"
But who" began Dora again.
fnqnHN W 10 anrfhfad a. 4.
didn't care, for by that time ne 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 greww
The door at the further end of the
room opened to admit a gray-haired
man. AO66tu bul hlHulJ VINO
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 plano. 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 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, 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. 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 it.
"Whom is it from?" queried Dora.
Anne twisted the missive into a little
yellow bali and threw it dehantly
among the crocuses.
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, land ii
says that great and august parsonage
is delayed by the storm and will not
be here tonight"
And you viii be left alone"
There are the servants. 1 do not
mind" returned Anne.
But this house is so isolated and the
grounds so large" Dora deliberated 81
viii send Tom over to stay with you,"
she announced, with the relief of one
who has solved a knotty problem.
Anne protested family.
Yes, / 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 flowers cleaned
in yellow splendor.
when l consider these wasted March
crocuses," began Dora.
Anne giggled. "And the florists bin
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 herself-laughed un-
til the crocuses shook in their tall vases
and both girls sank into chairs, laugh
ing and breathless.
TITS judgment-because 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 ner belt, and
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 name?"
II disremembered to ask him his
name. He said yo' all was expectin'
him."
Her face cleared; Tom, Of course.
ONLY the frplipht f1lunina tad fha IL