Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1906-06-06
Crocuses In March.
81 EDITH DOANE.

"Annel Whatever In the world"
Inc speaker, her FUR coat white with
snow. stood transfixed In the doorway.
'Crocuses! she gasped. "Crocuses-
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.
IL was pretty room and long, with
a blazing ire OF pine logs at one end /;
a room tnat bespoke warmth and home
ana comfort. but the newcomer saw
none Oh these. 1t was the mahogany
table III the centre at which she gazed
hypnoucaIIy, where masses OF yellow
crocuses gIowed in reckless proIusion
They raised Tremendous GOLDEN heads
from big brass Dowi; Lney nodded
from long, slender vases; they fiamed
over the edges or a pewter Jug In riot
Gus confusion.
poked the last slender green stalk into
place, ana, stepping back, regarded her
Work villa hie triumph. she turned a
flushed face toward the doorway.
me only trouble" sne saIu, 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
me window and the softly whirling
hahes outside. He won't believe it."
Who won't believe it?"
He has the crocus hobby 40 ser,ous1,,
as daddy, and they kept at II until in =
moment or wild enthusiasm Daddy in
sisted that his crocus came up in
Nd marEn. Ohce- Observation-Disclosures
March" VI
But who" began Dora again.
Daddy saw he doubted it. but he
didnt 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 ne 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 Won
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 grewl"
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 or sight, she cried as she placed
bowl of flowers on the piano. mo
more calls tonight. Daddy, in this
storm and company COMM too"
Slipping her arm through her fathers
she led him close to the noddng bios
SONS. Pretty fine crocuses-for
March" she said, her eyes dancing with
mischief, as she reached up and be-
slowed kiss upon him so vigorous "a
to leave him
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, thu, flag
man?" DR.. Nelson said at last again
glancing at his watch.
Anne nodded.
He has been seriously hurts dying.
must go at once. 1 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
after you 1 shall not worry as to your
safety" And with q 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.
1T is from Mr.. John Rexall," she an
sWered, with as much Indignation as il
that young man had just been con-
Vlcted OF some heinous crime "and II
says that great and august parsonage
Is delayed by the storm and will NOT
be here tonight"
And you will be left alone"
Ihere 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 "a
only eighteen, but he will be company"
Anne.
Dora swept parting glance over the
room. On every side flowers cleaned
I'm yellow splendor.
when consider these wasted March
crocuses," began Dora.
Anne giggled. "And the florists bill
for the same"
AT this Dora gave way and relapsed
into a helpless fit of laughter where
upon Anne laughed, too. half hysterical-
~ helpless to stop herself-laughed un-
III the crocuses shook i'm their tail vases
and both girls sank into chairs, laugh
Ing and GREATNESS.
It's a Judgment-because I wanted
him to believe-they grew" cried Anne
wiping her eyes.
An hour later Anne descended the
vide, 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 dc library"
What is his nameY'
Il aforementioned 20 ask him bis
name. He said yo' all was expectin'
| him"
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