The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1906-06-08
81 EDITH DoANE


The speaker, her fur coat white witt
snow, stood transfixed in the doorway
"Crocusesl' she gasped. "Crocuses-
In early March-With the snow outsidl
an ineh deep and more to follow! Gro
cuses-"
Words falling her, she stepped insid,
/ the heavy curtains and regarded ths
scene before her with astonished eyes.
1t was a pretty room and long, Will
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 gazec
| hypnotically. where masses of yellow
| erocuses glowed in reckless profusion
They raised tremendous goluen heads
from 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
nushed 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 whirlinp
nakes outside. He won't believe ii"
Who won't believe it?"
lie has the crocus hobby ais seriouslv
as oaddy, and they kept at it until ia a
moment OF wild enthusiasm Dadd,, ~
sisted that his crocus came mn IN x,
March. Once" apologetica llv--evva
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
viii you please stop saying he and
him and tell me who and what you
are talking about?"
John Rexall," essayed Anne. 'erhe
man daddy met in camp and liked so
well that he chummed with him, even
aid 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 COMM too
Slipping her arm through her fathers
she led him close to the nodding bios
Tlr,nA
March" she said, her eyes dancing with
as she reached up and be-
slowed kiss upon him so vigorous as
to leave him very little breath for pro-
test DIR. 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
at his watch.
Anne nodded.
''He has been seriously hurts dying.
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 1t to John Rexall, and take
good care of him. With him to look
after you / shall not worry as to your
safety" And with quick goodby he
was gone.
The sound of his departing horses
loofs had hardly died away when John
son appeared with telegram.
For de doctah, Miss Anne" he an
bounced.
Anne took the envelope from the out
stretched tray and opened it.
Whom is 1t from" queried Dora.
Anne twisted the missive into a little
yellow ball and threw 1t defiantly
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, 'fand it
says that great and august parsonage
Is delayed by the storm and win not
be here tonight"
And you will be left alone
There are the servants. / do not
Mind" returned Anne
But this house is so isolated and the |
grounds so large Dora deliberated ST
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. s'IIe is /
'nly eighteen, but he will be company"
'Of course | should like it." agreed |
Anne.
Dora swept parting glance over the
oom On every side flowers cleaned
n yellow splendor
when / consider these wasted March
began Dora.
Anne giggled. "And the florists bin
or the same
At this Dora gave way and relapsed
nto a helpless fit of laughter. where's
pom Anne laughed. too, half hysterical-
Y, helpless to stop herself-laughed UNI
IL the crocuses shook in their tall vases
land both girls sank into chairs, laugh-
ng and GREATNESS.
TITS a judgment--because / wanted
i'm to believe-they grew" cried Anne,
viping her eyes.
An hour later Anne descended the
tide, open staircase. Her trailing gown
Jung in soft, straight lines; a row of
my pearls clasped her throat; some
FOCUSES We're tucked in ner belt, and
ne 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 aforementioned to ask him his
anne. He said yo' all was expectin'
i'm,
Her face cleared; Tom, of course.
Only the freight illuminated the IL
rary, casting Pickering, rudy rays
pom the slender figure that came Slow I