The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-09-16
Two
lrespassers
One OF Them Seemed In.
clined to Commit
Burglary
By ETHEL HOLMES
By ETHEL HOLMES

"aiu 'nen as woman may feel. To
a mann flowers may be beautiful. 70 n
woman they may be companions. She
may tell them what lies nearest 70
her heart, and she will derive svmna.
thy from them.
Enle Ilsdale was one of those girls
70 whom flowers thus appeal In the
spring she would watch for the first
wiz flowers and take long walks in
Tue country to gather them. She
would have cultivated flowers had
there been any ground for the purpose
about her home. Living in a city, she
was obliged TO go elsewhere for her
favorites.
one day toward the close of the sum.
iner' when the flowers that are cult
Eated IN the open were fast shedding
their petals, Ellie concluded TO take
one of her long walks. If she could
not lind flowers she might at least en-
JOY a beautiful view she had often
looked upon several miles from the
town. 1t was a good day for walking.
the air coming out of the northwest
ana 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 a stone and
feasted her eyes upon it. her whole
being refreshed with It as if she had
drunk some delicious beverage. She
was looking from an eminence toward
a 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 a light
smoke from some house curled up
against the landscape. Over all the
afternoon sun spread golden glow.
When Ellie had Toasted 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 assembled another rise in the
ground. On this elevation was a 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 a conservatory
beside 1t. Most Of the plants had been
removed from their beds to their glass
winter home. The open gate and the
gravel walk were inviting. Efiie 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 I
That was a question she alone could
decide
She looked longingly for some time
into the Enclosure, expecting to see
some one moving about Despite the
appearance of occupancy, no one APP
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, Effie thought she would
venture in; If not, she would refrain.
While she was peering wistfully she
heard step, and a young man In hunt
ing costume and with a gun on his
shoulder approached. Effie wondered
If he would know whether the coast
was clear.
Can you tell me-" she asked, "wheth-
err the family living in that house are
there nOw?'
"Why do you wish to know?' asked
the young man.
"Recause-because- would like
TO 90 in and look about-the conserva-
tory !.
You don't mean that you are afraid
to do sou the huntsman interrupted.
1T isn't that. If the family were
not there It wouldn't be so much like
trespassing.'
But it would be trespassing all the
same, wouldn't IT.
81 don't know. There would ne no
one there to be offended.
well. such being the case suppose
we 90 in and have look"
81 will if there's no one except the
caretaker."
"Tbere isn't The occupants went
70 the city Yesterday. leaving the but
Ier 70 close up. Come! Let's go In ana
make ourselves at home"
Fife shrank back. II only wish 10
see the plants in the conservatory
she said. 81 don't know II | wouid De
allowed there.
am be allowed there" was the re-
NV "and If any one attempts to put
me out he'll have to fight Tor the
privilege. =, oan,,ro
Tho timid girl looked with admira-
.,or and envy on this fearless man
,-ho dare invade another's premises
ond followed him meekly into the
She felt somewhat anxious
s;nco be had a gun. lest he might
shoot some one. But when he reached
tho bonse he deposited the weapon To-
aotber with his other hunting para
sta on the porch, then cont1n-