Evening journal., 1909-05-17
A GENEROUS FELLOW
ny ELsrRr 7. nENrLEY.

June. as everybody knows, is a de-
lightful month A young man was
walking on a suburban road on a June
morning. The heavens were blue.
without a single feecy dash. The afr
wss dry and warm. an atmosphere
that accords with the hum Of insects
and the occasional piping Of a bird.
He stopped and leaned upon neat
fence. Within we're spacious and
highly cultivated grounds. Directly
before him was a flower garden partly
hidden by little clumps of low trees.
He was a flower lover. He coveted
especially some beautiful Jacqueminot
roses he saw within. Surely the own
er Of the place would not grudge him
one or two. The house stood back
within n grove. No one was about.
He felt again the glow Of boyhood in
stolen fruit. To his right was q gate
not the main pate-a little one for side
entrance. He went and stood by the
gate and looked and fell before temp
tation with a quickly beating heart
he opened IT, stepped briskly In. picked
n rose and was about to retire when
he saw a bed OF American Beauties
losing themselves IN a leafy recess. II
occurred to him to gain the recess be-
fore doing any more stealing. Hur-
rying into II. he ran up against a girl
sitting on n rustic bench with a lapful
of roses. She uttered an exclamation
OF sudden fright
Pardon me-" he said 'T-I"-
The girl said nothing She was try
ing TO regain her equanimity. Instead
Of looking as II she had surprised a
thief she looked as II she had been
surprised doing something she was
ashamed OF.
81 am very fond Of Howers." he
added.
"I love flowers too"
$50 judge by the roses in your lap"
ut was wrong to pluck them, but
couldn't help It,"
"Why wrong to pluck that to which
I'm sure you are welcome?"
She looked at him inquiringly. She
was herself n trespasser. II occurred
to her that he was the owner.
"Then / may keep themw
He saw the situation. He. a thief
had stumbled on thief who thought
him the possessor Of the place. Put
ting his hand on his heart, he bowed
low and said:
GAN Of them and more"
He broke or dozen and threw tAem
in her lap.
"Oh. how kind OF you"
She was very pretty and. dressed as
she was In sheer white, formed love-
" contrast with the green background
and the roses IN her lap.
III I were an artist" he said, Il
would wish for no better subject"
Won't you show me your placer
she asked.
Certainly. but may / not sit for a
few minutes in this enhancing bowerg'
she moved aside and made room for
him on the bench.
Il am fortunate" she said, 'in fnd-
ing one so lenient with me. a tres
I passer."
Rather I welcome another choice
flower in my garden"
A few quick steps cruDching the
gravel and a gentleman OF middle age
entered the recess. He stood looking
at the pair in surprise. The girl
glanced at her companion. expecting
him 10 excuse her presence to one
whom she thought was another Of the
occupants Of the place He did not
speak. He was hunting for a story to
cover the situation.
This gentleman" she said to the
newcomer. has been 30 kiud as 10
give me some roses"
"You are quite welcome to them, 3"
said he who was the real owner.
IL knew you would have done as
much yourself" said the man tres.
passer, cOloring
The owner took in the situation--at
least enough OF tito give him a cue
/ He fancied the trespasser had brought
the girl there and yielded TO a tempta.
tlon TO give her the roses.
Would you like to see my placer
he said.
The girl gave her companion tres
passer surprised look. "Why, !
thought you lived herew
The owner came 20 the rescue Of a
fellow man. He is always welcome
here" he said.
"Oh, a friends" said the girl.
"An esteemed friend" the owner put
in. Come, We will walk through the
place."
The girl gathered up her roses. and
they were led through the place. the
owner calling their attention 20 this
and that rose. tree OF plant When
they had seen It all. he asked them in
for a glass Of wine and a biscuit This
offer was declined, and they were con
Quoted TO the gate.
Haven't seen much OF you lately
old man." said the host at parting
"Are you going to desert us entirely p
''Will you be at home this evening ?
''Yes; happy to see you"
'I1l call"
When they were alone the girl said
How nice It was that was caugh
by two such nice men,"
"Oh, we men can always depend
upon one another. Any guest OF min
in that place is a guest of my friend"
Delightful! bid you good morning
Thank you very much for the roses"
Don't mention It,"
In the evening the trespasser calle'
IN Aha srs-r.or