Gilpin observer., 1916-01-06
FLOWER Of ROMANCE
BY KATE CONWAY.

oAhCo no Wuo huo0 Ai6u " u grass
hopper" said Aunt Bethiah placidly.
He Won't hurt anybody, and I've nev
er been afraid of him. He's got plenty
Of money hid down the we'll, sup
pose. or under the mounting stone"
Then it's pity he doesn't dig up
some of it for Berenice,' 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-I suppose, but always
just getting by-don't you know what
l mean, auntie? There isn't enough
money for this and that, and Bernice
can't even think of getting married for
years and years."
Has she got anyone picked out
yet?" asked Aunt Bethiah.
Has she? Why, don't you know
she's engaged to our Rob?"
Mrs. Fennimore dropped her Gro.
cheting and looked over her eye
glasses at her youngest niece. The hope
of the Fennimore family was Rob.
II suppose" said Mrs. Fennimore,
with Just bit of a sigh, they wero
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? She's just darling, auntie.
Well ride over there this morning and
you can see her. She's the winsomest
girl you ever saw-just that, the win
soonest"
Willing to marry Rob?"
ooh, yes. / tell you they've been en-
gagged since his junior year, but she
has big idea of duty, and her ia
ther needs her. But II their Graidfa-
ther Crawford would do the right
thing they could afford to hire house
keeper and let Berenice get married in
peace"
Always was too selfish to give e
crow a crumb," Aunt Bethiah agreed.
We'll see what can be done. l never
was afraid of Tuck Crawford and 1
amt today. He needs a boss fear
fully
About ten they drove over to the
Junior Crawford home.
Real slightly old place, amt it?"
said Mrs. Fennimore when they came
away, ''and do like Berenice. She's
sweet as tea rose, l declare she is,
with those Dig brown eyes and that
fair, curly hair. Bless her heart!
place, will you, Laura?"
Back on an old side road it was, a
little gray house in tangle of trees
and grape vines. with big well sweep
at the back and the barn across the
road. Mr.. Crawford was struggling
with the well, trying to draw up a
pail, and Laura hurried over to help
him.
Don't spill it, mind" he cautioned
testify. Cant bear mite O. damp
on mildew round my house. Some
folks don't mind, but it makes me fear
full chilly. Just set it down on that
shelf by the sink, Laury. Muah
obliged
How be you, Tuck?" called Aunt
Bethiah, happily, coming up the 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 a 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, amt you?"
These ten ye.ls, Tuck"
well, we'll. Flow pert you do look. y
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
mo, thanks" she laughed. I'm
provided for. Tuck l wanted to see
you about Berenice, your grandchild
Our Rob's in love with her, and she
with him. 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 he- nice wedding and
some Of her grandmother's linen ant
silver. 1 know she had lot of Il
probably right up in your garret thil
minute"
Like enough 1t is," murmured Mr.
Crawford, stroking his little pointed
beard. II amt looked to see. How
pert you look, Bethiah! l can't ge
) over it."
After they had said good-by ant
driven down the road, the old maj
stood watching them, leaning his arm,
on the little rusty iron gate. His fac,
wore a peaceful, satisfied smile. H,
had promised all Bethiah had asked
wedding clothes. old silver and linen
even the housekeeper.
Let EN- have 1t and enjoy them
selves. he said. take about tw,
| hundred To start with sha soid -.