Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1906-06-15
CrOenses IN Alareh.

cuseB-"
Words failing her, she stepped Inside
the heavy curtains and regarded the
scene before her with astonlshed eyes.
IL was a pretty room and long, with
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
nypnotically where masses of yellow
crocuses glowed In reckless profusiOn.
They raised tremendous GOLDEN heads
IRON a big brass Dowl, tney 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
flushed face toward the doorway.
The only trouble" she SAID, impress.
siYely, 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
lakes outside. HE won't believe IT,"
Who won't believe IT."
He has the crocus hobby as seriouslv
as daddy and they kept at Il until In a
moment OF wild enthusiasm Daddy in
sisted that his crocus came IN In
March. Once" apologeticallvR
did have a 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 IL 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
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 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
a bowl of flowers on the plano. mo
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
SONS. Pretty fine crocuses-for
March" she said, her eyes dancing with
mischief, as she reached up and be-
| CT n Irtau
to leave him very little breath for pro-
test. DR.. Nelson pretended great in
dignation. Tut! tutl It 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 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 TAXI
good care of him. With him to lool
after you shall not worry as to your
, safety" And with a quick goodby HI
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 1t from?" queried Dora.
: Anne twisted the missiye into littl
S yellow ball and threw it defiantl
= among the crocuses.
q at is from Mr.. John Rexall," she an
s swered, with as much Indignation as
n that young man had just been con
victed Of some heinous crime, land
says that great and august personag
is delayed by the storm and will nc
be here tonight"
. "And you will be left alone"
n '"There are the servants. / do nc
d mind" returned Anne.
d "But this house is so isolated and tn
d grounds so large" Dora deliberated. s.
q will send Tom over to stay with you,
% she announced, with the relief of on
who has solved a knotty problem.
Anne protested family.
c, "Yes. I will" Dora insisted, HE
n only eighteen, but he will be company.
e "Of course l should like it," agree
" Anne.
h Dora swept parting glance over tn
- room. On every side flowers gleame
! in yellow splendor.
!, when consider these wasted Marc
: crocuses," began Dora.
r Anne giggled. "And the florists bi
t. for the same"
is At this Dora gave way and relapse
n into helpless fit of laughter, where
- upon Anne laughed, too, half hysterica
- ly, helpless to stop herself-laughed I'll
u til the crocuses shook in their tall vase
D. and both girls sank into chairs, laugl
" ing and GREATNESS.
1T Its a judgment-because / wante
c. him to believe-they grew" cried Ann
IN wiping her eyes.
~, 10 An hour later Anne descended Il
: !, wide, open staircase. Her trailing gov
I hung in soft, straight lines; row
IT. tiny pearls clasped her throat; son
r. crocuses were tucked in her belt, al
lis one crocus nestled in her hair.
II. At the bottom step johnson waited.
Gentleman to see you, Miss Ann
1 done put him in de library"
- What is his manner"
81 disremembered to ask him b
name. He said yo' all was expecti
him.
Her face cleared; Tom, of course.
a. Only the freight Illuminated the
a brary, casting pickering, rudy ra,
i'll upon the slender figure that came sloV