The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-06-10
Caught In His
Own Trap
BY BESSIE D. VEsoN


usually inclnded in gentleman's coun-
try grounds. Edging along where the
wall was lower. he found himself op-
posite the flower garden. Seeing some
roses that were very beautiful, he COW
eted them. He wouldn't steal them.
but he thought he had at least the
right to sniff their perfume, so he
climbed the wall and entered the gar
den.
There was no one near. and he wan.
dered about, enjoying the beauty and
the odor of the flowers, not feeling
that he was in any great danger Of be-
ing caught trespassing. Coming to
conservatory, he entered. The COM
bined warmth and beautiful colors and
plant odor were delicious. He walked
verdure and was turning when he
stood face to face with a girl. She
looked very much embarrassed and be-
gan to stammer excuses for being
there.
II beg your pardon. sir. but your
place-I mean your grounds-are so
beautiful that I could not resist the
temptation to enter. Then, coming to
this CONSERVATORY love conservato-
ries--I just couldn't help coming In
here either"
Hawkins, instead of admitting that
he was himself trespasser. said that
the girl was quite excusable and was
welcome not only to visit the premises.
but to as many flowers as she could
carry away. He began to pluck the
choicest and to load her down with
them.
these roses" he said. "are my pride.
They are variety I imported from
England. But you prefer violets. I
presume. You will find them very
sweet. Let me give you some mignon-
cite"
And so. going from plant to plant.
the scamp continued to bestow upon
her flowers that did not belong to him.
Too honest to take them himself, he
saw no harm In giving them to anoth-
er whose conscience was perfectly
clear at the transition. Since she sup
posed they were the offering of their |
owner. all that was necessary to rem
der the freak successful was to get her |
out before being discovered.
The door at the entrance opened and |
closed.
Hawkins looked about him They
were at the farther end of the In
closure, and there was no egress there.
The girl saw that something had gone
wrong and looked at him. agitated
Don't be frightened" he said.
Trust to me and back me up in any
thing may say"
whats the matterT
81 don't own this greenhouse. I am
a trespasser as well as you"
"Heavens~
keep a stifr upper lip. I have been
caught in worse traps than this many q
time"
The dialogue was brought to an emo
by approaching footsteps. and a gen.
.leman came to where they were stand
ing, the girl looking very guilty, Haw-
kins ready for anything.
"Good morning, SIR he said to the
gentleman. you must pardon US, but
your beautiful grounds and especially
his conservatory have proved too
much of temptation for us, and, be-
ng here, the lady was so delighted
with your flowers that had not the
heart to see her 60 away without a
lew of them"
Now, the real owner took in the sit.
ration at once. 1t happened that he
vas a bit of a wag himself, and had
Tot the trespassers been ratified they
night have seen a twinkle in his eye I
when he said: 1
II assure you have no objection to
! lady and gentleman using any part
II my grounds provided they have
light to do so in each others company. !
presume you are married.
The girl turned pale.
"C-c-certainlyw stammered Hawkins. ,
The gentleman looked dubious. do !
'ou mean. sir. that this lady is your ,
vifer '
II do" 5
"And you, madam-is this gentleman |
our husbandr
The response was faint but audible
Yes"
"Then, madam. you are quite wei. f
ONE to the flowers you have. and Il
eg you to accept more" c
With this he began clipping right n
nd left, loading the flowers upon her.
hen he insisted on showing the cou-
lie his place and after that invited
hem into his house. bringing out a v
ecanter of wine and bit of old
heese with biscuits. Having got Haw- :
ms name, he kept calling the girl Mrs a
and every time he did so she T
lushed to the roots of her hair Fl t
ally. when they took their departure. "
e said:
II am always pleased to have others U
njoy my place under proper condi- (
ons. If suspect couple entering =
be premises of not being married I
ways marry them. OF course It
-asn't mercenary in your case. but
hen you each acknowledged the other
efore me to be your legal partner
nat married you"
When the pair emerged from the
rounds the girl asked grimly. what
ias that he said about marryingT
I'm afraid there's something In IT"
ssI'iI make Won nav for this"