The La Jara chronicle. (La Jara, Conejos County, Colo.) 1896-19??, 1906-06-15
CrOcuseS in March.
BY EDITH DOANE.

in early March-with the snow outside
an inch deep and more to followI Gro
cuses-
Words failing her. she stepped inside
the heavy curtains and 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
hypnotically, where masses of yellow
crocuses glowed in reckless profusion
They raised tremendous golden heads
from u big brass bowl. they 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 with fine triumph. She turned
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
flakes 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
did have 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
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
are talking about?'
John Rexall," essayed Anne. 1.-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 grewi"
The door at the further end of the
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. mo
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," 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. DIR. Nelson pretended great in
dignation. Tut! TUT 1t isn't fair to
take advantage of an old man." he
-. ~. Il ii. E..NN
dcrness as Anne laid her cheek softly
against his.
you remember Mlnigan. the flag
MANI Or, Nelson said at last, again
glancing at his watch.
Anne nodded
He has been seriously hurts dying.
l 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.
Explain it to John Rexall, and take
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.
ut is from Mr.. John Rexall," she an
swered. with as much indignation as II
that young man had Just been con-
victed of some heinous crime. land il
says that great and 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 house is so isolated and the
grounds so large" Dora deliberated. 81
Will send Tom over to stay with yOu,'
she announced. with the relief of one
who has solved knotty problem.
Anne protested family.
Yes. 1 WILL" Dora insisted. He Is
only eighteen, but he will be company"
"Of course l should like it," agreed
Anne.
Dora swept 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 bill
for the same"
into a helpless fit of laughter. where
upon Anne laughed. too. half hysterlcal-
ly, helpless to stop herself-laughed un-
til the crocuses shook in their tall vases
and both girls sank into chairs. laugh.
ing and GREATNESS.
It's a Observation-Disclosures / 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; 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 dlsremembered to ask him his
name He said Yn, all WAS aNnantin