Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1909-11-11
A GENEROUS FELLOW
BY GILBERT r. BENTLEY.

Walking on Il SuDuTDuu FOau on u June
morning. The heavens We're blue,
without Il single Aeecy dash. The air
was dry and warm, an atmosphere
that accords with the hum of insects
and the occasional piping of a bird.
He stopped and leaned upon IA neat
fence. Within were spacious and
highly cultivated grounds. Directly
before him was Il flower garden partly
hidden by little clumps OF low trees.
He was Il flower lover. He coveted
especially some beautiful Jacqueminot
roses he saw within. Surely the own
err OF the place would not grudge him
one Or two. The house stood back
within a grove. No one was about.
He felt again the glow of boyhood in
stolen fruit. To his right was a gate
not the main gate-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
a rose and was about to retire when
he saw a bed of American Beauties
losing themselves in a leafy recess. 1t
occurred to him to gain the recess be-
fore doing any more stealing. Hur-
rying into it. he ran up against a girl
sitting on a rustic bench with a lapful
of roses. She uttered an exclamation
Of sudden fright.
pardon me-" he said. DIP
The girl said nothing. She was try
ing to regain her equanimity. Instead
of looking as If she had surprised a
thief she looked as If she had been
surprised doing something she was
ashamed of.
II am very fond Of flowers" he
added.
~ love flowers too"
$50 l judge by the roses in your lap"
at was wrong to pluck them, but /
couldn't help It,"
"Why wrong to pluck that to which
Pm sure you are welcome?"
She looked at him inquiringly. She
was herself a t%respasser. 1t occurred
to her that he was the wne
"Then l may keep them"
He saw the situation. he, a thief,
had stumbled on a thief who thought
him the possessor of the place. Put
ting his hand on his heart, he bowed
low and said:
"All of them and more"
He broke off a dozen and threw them
in her lap.
"Oh, how kind of your
She was very pretty and. dressed as
she was in sheer white, formed a love-
~ contrast with the green background
and the roses in her lap.
III l were an artist" he said, II
would wish for no better subject"
won't you show me your placer
she asked.
Certainly, but may l not sit for a
few minutes in this enhancing bower?"
She moved aside and made room for
him on the bench.
II am Fortunate" she said, ''in find
ing one so lenient with me, a tres
passer."
"Rather l welcome another choice
flower in my garden"
A few quick steps c%runching 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 to excuse her presence to n
whom she thought was another of the
occupants Of the place. He did not
speak. He was hunting for a story to
ove the situation.
This gentleman she said to the
newcomer, has been so kind as to
give me some roses"
you are quite welcome to them"
said he who was the real owner.
IL knew you would have lone as
much YOURSELF said the mar tres
passer, coloring.
The owner took in the situation-at
least enough Of ito give him a cue.
He fancied the t%respasser had brought
the girl there and yielded to a tempta-
|. tion. to give her the roses.
"Would you like to see my placer
he said.
The girl gave her companion tres
passer a surprised look. "Why, l
thought you lived here!'
The owner came to the rescue of q
fellow man. HE is always welcome
here" he said.
ooh, a friend?' said the girl.
A 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 to 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.
care you going to desert us entirely?'
"Will you be at home this EVENING""
Eyes; happy to see you"
"I'll call"
When they were alone the girl said,
How nice it was that I was caught
by two such nice men,"
"Oh, we men can always depend