The Monticellonian., 1915-12-09
FLOWER OF ROMANCE
By KATE CONWAY.


 CT been afraid of him. He's got plenty of money hid down the well. l sup pose. or under the mounting stone Then it's pity he doesn't dig up some of it for Bereniee. said Laura passionately. She has had to stay at home and take care of her father and all those children. five Of them, ever since her mother died, and they're well-not poor-l suppose, but always Just getting by-don't you know what mean. auntie? There isn't enough money for this and that and Bernice cant even think of getting married for years and years
 H2B she got anyone picked out yet 2 asked Aunt Bethiah.
 Has she? Why. d5n't you know shes engaged to our Rob2"
 Mrs Fennimore dropped her ero- cheting and looked over her eye glasses at her youngest niece The hope Of the Fennimore family was Rob.
 T suppose said Mrs Fennimore. with just a bit Of sigh. they were sweethearts when they were children. Rob's the kind of boy to keep the flower of romance blooming for years. Is she nice. Laura ..
 Nice? Shes just darling auntie. We'll ride over there this morning and you can see her. Shes the winsomest girl you ever saw-just that, the win somest'
 Willing to marry Rob2"
 "Oh. yes tell you they've been en- gagged since his junior year. but she has a big idea of duty. and her fa- ther needs her. But if their Grandfa- ther Crawford would do the right thing they could afford to hire house. keeper and let Bereniee get married in peace
 Always was too selfish to give crow a crumb.@ Aunt Bethiah agreed. Well see what can be done. l never was afraid of Tuck Crawford and 1 aint today He needs a boss fear fully"
 About ten they drove over to the Junior Crawford home.
 Real slightly old place. ain't it?" said Mrs Fennimore when they came away. and l do like Berenice. She's sweet as a tea rose. I declare she is. with those big brown eyes and that fair. curly hair Bless her heart! Just drive over to her grandfathers place. will you. Laura?"
 Back on an old side road 1t was. little gray house in a tangle of trees and grape vines. with big well sweep at the back and the barn across the road Mir Crawford was struggling with the we'll. trying to draw up pail. and Laura hurried over to help him.
 Don't spill it. mind" he cautioned testify. Cant bear a mite O damp or mildew round my house. Some folks don't mind. but 1t makes me fear full chilly Just set 1t down on that shelf by the sink. Laury. Much obliged"
 How be you. Tuek?" called Aunt Bethiah. happily coming up th1 path toward him. her full skirts brushing off leaves and cobwebs from the dry weeds. So sweet.faced and blooming she looked that Laura stared at her. And so did Tucker Crawford. Not such vision had he seen in many years in his front yard. He wiped his hand off on his coat and gave it to her bit shakily
 Why Bethiah, how be ye?" he ex- claimed. Look just as young and pert as ever. When did you get over here?"
 Been East two weeks"
 Widow, too. ain't you?'
 These ten years. Tuck
 Well, we'll How pert you do look" His faded blue eyes fingered on her cheerful face hungrily. Want place as housekeeper. Bethiah? I've been looking round for good. hard-work- ing woman"
 No. thanks" she laughed. Pm provided for. Tuck. wanted to see you about Bereniee. your grandehild. Our Robs in love with her and she with him. l want them to be married before go back West Now. I'll give Rob some money. enough to set him up and | want you to look after Bere- nice; give her a nice wedding and some of her grandmother's linen and silver. | know she had lot of it. probably right up in your garret this minute
 Like enough it is," murmured MT. Crawford. stroking his little pointed beard. 'I ain't looked to see. How pert you look. Bethiah, can't get over it.
 And you better hire a housekeeper for the children after she's gone. too. Get real capable woman for about ten month up here in the country. and your pension twice that, Tuck. It's all that's left to us old people. this watering the flower of romance. you know. to keep it sweet and growing.
 After they had said good-by and driven down the road. the old man stood watching them. leaning his arms on the little rusty iron gate. His faf cl wore a peaceful. satisfied smile H, had promised all Bethiah had asked wedding clothes. old silver s.nd linen even the housekeeper
 Let em have it and. i, enjoy them selves" he said. "Ts ike about twt hundred to start with. she said Anc got eight thousan u in the bank al Willimantic and four over in Putnam Guess we can give Berenice a wed ding like her grandmother had. Wa tering the flower of romance?"
 He sighed. Sixty years back he had loved Bet'hiah Newell. or was 1t fifty!