The Delta independent., 1906-06-15
CrOcuSeS In March.
BY EDITH DOANE.

"AdtCSCA AA lAS WORLD
The speaker. her fur coat white with
snow, stood transtixed 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,
1t was a pretty room and long, with
a blazing flre Oh pine logs at one end;
a room tnat bespoke warmth and home
and comfort. But the newcomer saw
none or these. 1t was the mahogany
table in the centre at which she gazed
nypnotically. where masses OF yellow
crOcuses glowed in reckless protusion
They raised tremendous goloen heads
from big brass bowl; they NODDED
from long, slender vases; they tiamed
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 tine triumph. She turned
flushed face toward the doorway.
The only trouble sne saIu, impres-
sively, will be to make him believe
they grew"
Crew"
Yes. grew. naturally" with a vapue
wave OF her hand in the direction of
the window and the softly whirIinr
flakes outside. He won't believe it,"
WI no won't believe it?'
He has the crocus hobby as seriously
as daddy, and they kept at 1t until I'm a
moment of wild enthusiasm Daddy in
sisted that his crocus came nm in
March. Once" apologeticaIly-"we
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 1t 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. 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. III only could
make him believe they really greww
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
a bowl of flowers on the piano. 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
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 hurt-is 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 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 1t.
"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 RexalI," she an
swered, with as much Indignation as II
| that young man had Just been con-
| victed Of some heinous crime, land 1t
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. 1 do not
mind" returned Anne.
But this house is SO isolated and the
grounds so large" Dora deliberated. II
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. 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.
crocuses," began Dora.
| Anne giggled. And the florists bill
| for the same"
At this Dora gave way and relapsed
| into helpless mt OF laughter, where's
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.
'Its Observation-Disclosures I 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 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?"