The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1927-01-29
Dandelions and
Romance
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BY JANE OSBORN



from his house to the fine old white
Maitland mansion next door. 1t was
very smooth and very green-onIy five
or six yellow dandelion blooms marring
the perfect verdure.
That afternoon, instead Of going
straight from the hospital to his home
to see what messages awaited him, he
turned his car toward the open coun-
try outside Dunmere. Presently he
came to green field richly dotted
over with yellow and here and there
patches -of white mist between. He
pulled to the side of the road, stopped
his car and alighted. He spent the
next quarter Of an hour gathering the
blows OF dandeliOns. He pushed them
into an envelope he produced from his
pocket and then, getting back into his
car, he drove home.
1t was after nine that night when
ne had given word of encourage
ment to his last Office visitor. A moon
cleaned family through the clouded
sky, and, making sure that his house
more went stealthily out to his lawn
and there proceeded to strew the
dandellon blows that he had gathered.
Having finished this task, he went to
the garage, took out his car and drove
away.
Early the next morning, while Doc
tor Kinmore was lingering over his
breakfast before going into his office,
he glanced out the window. And
there he saw a girlish figure in pink
bending down with a tiny, sharp
trowel in her hand. Doctor Kinmore
Jumped up from the table and hur-
ried through the long French window
out to the lawn.
There are only few more dande-
lions left nOw," said the girl, looking
up to him. Aunt Nellie is delighted.
But I certainly have worked hard get
ting them out"
"And now that they are all out"
said the young doctor, you won't be
coming over here any more"
Il hope 1 haven't made a nuisance
of myself" said Helen Maitland,
archly.
Tom Kinmore did not answer the
question. He was looking suddenly
serious. But of course there might
be more dandelions," he said. Some
times the seeds blow from quite a
distance, and at this time of year"
He paused and looked rather eagerly
at her. Il shall miss seeing you more
than can tell. When I'm sitting there
In my office, look out and there l see
yOu-nOw bending, now rising, now
kneeling. 1t is very beautiful-and
there is so little that is beautiful In
my profession" Then looking at her,
he said: do you remember the time
last month when you and your aunt
called to ask me about the dande-
lions? You were wearing a pink dress
then, too"
Helen laughed. Wasn't it funny
not the dress-but the way we came.
We hadn't seen you. Aunt Nellie
and / had just come from tie city.
Aunt Nellie hadn't been in the old
house since quite a long time before
you came. She'd sent a gardener on
to get the lawn and garden in order,
and the gardener had said that so long
as you were so careless about your
place, letting the weeds grow SO, he
never could get the dandeliOns out of
Aunt Nellie's lawn So Aunt Nellie
and imagined you were a rough old
thing with whlskers and at first we
were afraid to come"
"And / was afraid Of your Aunt
Nellie" laughed Tom. still am, for
that matter. Remember how she
asked me whether I'd have my lawn
fixed up and / said didn't see what
difference it made to her? / don't
believe / was very civil. And then
she asked me If I'd mind having her
gardener NOW my lawn and having
you dig out the dandelionS In be-
tween? Well, at least I've had my
own land moved"
"And I've dug out the dandelions.
But this" said Helen, lifting a long
rooted green weed with a bright vel
low bloom, this Is the last Of them.
'Then you won't come over to dig
them any more?" asked the doctor
wistfully.
Not unless more come up" said
Helen.
IL say, Miss Maitland" he called, as
she started away. Il want to tell you
something" He strobe over to where
she stood on her aunt's green sward.
snow that you are standing on your
own territory l want to tell you some
thing" he said. 1--WE planted lot of
dandelion seeds. There viii be big
crop In few weeks. You'll have to
come back. Helen, l couldn't endure
the thought of not seeing you out there
bending and kneeling and walking
about-Helen, love you"
Helen, standing there before him,
was blushing deeply. But don't you
think it is very, very unconventional
telling me that here-without calling
on met"
81 haven't dared CALL" said the doc
tor. Neither you nor your aunt have
asked me. Helen, dear, l do love you
and don't want to come and see
you unless you think you could like
me little"
sBut 1 do like you-lOve you-a
great deal right now" said Helen, and
then turned away her pretty face In
confusion. $50 please come In and tell