Oxford Democrat., 1916-08-29
Two
Trespassers
One of Them Seemed In.
clined to Commit
Burglary
By ETHEL HOLMES
By ETHEL HOLMES

iii burglary II
By ETHEL HOLMES
To women flowers are irresistible
Men sometimes love flowers, but 1t Il
questionable If any man ever felt to-
ward them as a woman may feel. To
q man flowers may be beautiful; to a
woman they may be companions. She
may tell them what lies nearest to
her heart. and she will derive sympa.
thy from them.
Eff1e Tisdale was one Of those girls
to whom flowers thus appeal In the
spring she would watch for the first
Wild flowers and take long walks in
the country to gather them. She
would have cultivated flowers had
there been any ground for the purpose
about her homa. Living in a city, she
was obliged to 60 elsewhere for her
favorites.
One day toward the close Of the sum-
mer, when the flowers that are cult
waited In the open were fast shedding
their petals, Eff1e concluded to take
one Of her long walks. II she could
not find flowers she might at least en-
Joy a beautiful view she had often
looked upon several miles from the
town. It was a good day for walking,
the air coming out Of the northwest
and laden with the first crispness Of
autumn. She stepped out briskly,
drinking in the beauties Of natural
scenery as only one can who has been
endowed with the gift Of such appre-
citation. When she came to the view
she sought she sat on stone and
feasted her eyes upon It, her whole
being refreshed with 1t as II she had
drunk some delicious beverage. She
was looking from an eminence toward
q gap between two ranges Of hills or,
more properly. mountains. In places
the foliage had begun to lose its deep
summer green. Here and there light
smoke from some house curled up
against the landscape. Over all the
afternoon sun spread golden glow.
When Effle had feasted her eyes for
some time she arose for her return.
which she chose to make by another
route. At the foot Of the declivity be-
meath her the road turned and led into
another which would take her back
home. She descended from her perch,
her eyes lingering upon the view before
her as she walked, passed around the
bend and ascended another rise in the
ground. On this elevation was coun-
try place. The awnings to protect the
windows and the porch from the sun
were still in their places: wicker chairs
and hammocks had not been taken In.
The gate was open. A gravel walk
led up to the house and conservatory
beside it. Most of the plants had been
removed from their beds to their glass
winter home. The open gate and the
gravel walk were inviting Efae was
drawn by the sight Of verdure under
the transparent house to 60 in and in
hale that delicious odor so enjoyable
to lovers Of plants. But dare she?
That was a question she alone could
decide.
She looked longingly for some time
into the inclosure, expecting to see
some one moving about. Despite the
appearance of occupancy, no one ap-
peared. The place had surely not been
closed for the coming winter or the
porch furniture would have been re-
moved. If sure the occupants had
gone away, Efie thought she would
venture in; If not, she would refrain.
While she was peering wistfully she
heard step, and young man in hunt
ing costume and with gun on his
shoulder approached. Efle wondered
II he would know whether the coast
was clear.
"Can you tell me-" she asked, "wheth-
er the family living in that house are
there now?"
"Why do you wish to know" asked
the young man.
Because -because-well, I would like
to 20 In and look about-the conserva.
tory
"You don't mean that you are afraid
to do sor the huntsman interrupted.
ut isn't that. If the family were
mt there n wouldn't be 80 much like
trespassing."
"But 1t would be trespassing all the
same, wouldn't tT
~ don't know. There would be no
one there to be offended"
"Well, such being the case, suppose
we 60 in and Lave q look"
II will If there's no one except the
caretaker."
"There isn't. The occupants went
to the city yesterday, leaving the but.
ler to close up. Come! Let's 60 In and
make ourselves at home"
Efie shrank back. II only wish to
zee the plants In the conservatory,
she said. 81 don't know II would be
allowed there"
"In be allowed there" was the re-
ply, "and If any one attempts to put
me out, HEN have to fight for the
privilege"
The timid girl looked with admira'
tion and envy on this fearless man
who dare invade another's premises
and followed him meekly into the
grounds. She felt somewhat anxious
since he had a gun, lest he might
shoot some one. But when he reached
the house he deposited the weapon. to
gether with his other hunting para
phernalia. on the porch. then condn
ued his way toward the conservatory
| The door stood open and, deferentialiJ
standing aside for-Efie to pass In, N
| followed her. She stood inside. looking
| around her admiringly.
@How different the air In here from
oltsider' she said
''Kind Of moldy; something IKE tnf
inside Of a tomb"
"Not at al like tomb. It's home
for living plants. The odor Is tnen
breath"
She stepped up to some flowers tna'
were fading and inhaled their per
fume.
| sty ,oro Ao-nra 0on't vou2" ah(