The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1916-07-07
FLOWER OF ROMANCE
BY KATE CONWAY.

"Oh, I've known Tuck Crawford ever
since he was knee high to grass
hopper" said Aunt Bethiah placidly.
He won't hurt anybody, and I've new
er 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 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 ont
YETI" 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.
4 L
with just 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?"
Mice? 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 sne
has big idea OF duty, and her IA
i Their needs her. But II their GRANDPA
! Their Crawford would do the right
i thing they could afford to hire house
keeper and let Berenice get married in
/ peace"
Always was too selfish to give a
crow a crumb," Aunt Bethiah agreed.
We'll see what can be done. I never
was afraid of Tuck Crawford and
amt today. He needs a boss fear
fully"
About ten they drove over to the
junior Crawford home.
Real slightly old place, ANT it :!
said Mrs Fennimore when they came
away, "and I do like Berenice. She's
sweet as tea rose, declare she is,
4 with those big brown eyes and that
J fair, curly hair. Bless her heart!
i Just drive over to her grandfather's
:, place, will you, Laura?"
! Back on an old side road 1t was, q
little gray house in tangle OF trees
and grape vines, with big well sweep
lat the back and the barn across the
road. Mr.. Crawford was struggling
with the well, trying to draw IN q
J, 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 it down on that
shelf by the sink, Laury. Much
obliged"
How be you, Tuck?" called Aunt
Bethiah, happily, coming up the path
toward him, her full skirts brushing
on 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 OF On mis- coat and gave 1t to
her bit shakly.
why Bethiah, how be ye?" he ex-
!, claimed. Look Just as young and pert
: as ever. When did you get over
herew
: Been East two weeks"
, Widow, too, amt your"
These ten years, Tuck"
well. well. 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 a good, hard-work.
: ing woman"
i. 'No, thanks" she laughed. I'm
) provided for, Tuck. 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
1 UP, and I want you to look after Bere
nice; give her nice wedding and
: some of her grandmother's linen and
silver. I know she had a lot of it;
e probably right up in your garnet this
, minute"
Like enough it is" murmured Mr.
Crawford, stroking his little pointed
beard. 81 amt looked to see. How
pert you look, Bethiahi I can't gel
, over it,
After they had said good-by and
driven down the road, the old man
e stood watching them, leaning his arms
on the little rusty iron gate. His face
wore peaceful, satisfied smile. He
had promised all Bethiah had asked
wedding clothes, old silver and linen
: even the housekeeper.
Let 'em have It and enjoy them
selves he said. Take about two
hundred to start with, she said. And
1 got eight thousand in the bank al
t Willimantic and four over in Putnam
Guess we can give Berenice wed
S ding like her grandmother had. Wa