The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-09-22
Two
Trespassers
One of Them Seemed In.
Clined to Commit
Burglary
By ETHEL HOLMES

Men sometimes love flowers, but It Is
questionable If any man ever felt to-
ward them as a woman may feel To
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.
Ef1e 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 home. 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, Effie concluded to take
one Of her long walks. If she could
not find flowers she might at least en-
Joy a beautiful view she had often
looked upon several miles from the
town. 1t was 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 a stone and
Toasted 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
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 Eff1e 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 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 Effie was
drawn by the sight of verdure under
the transparent house to go in and in
hale that delicious oder so ENJOYABLE
to lovers of plants. But dare she?
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
.oeared. 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 a step, and young man in hunt
ing costume and with a gun on his
shoulder approached. Effie wondered
hn Ivn xx-tN
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.
"Because-because- would like
to go in and look about-the conserva-
tory
you don't mean that you are afraid
to do SOP" the huntsman interrupted.
ut 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 tip
81 don't know. There would he no
one there to be offended"
well, such being the case. suppose
we go I'm and have look"
81 will If there's no one except the
caretaker"
"There isn't. The occupants went
to the city yesterday. leaving the but
Ter to close up Come! Let's go in and
make ourselves at home"
Effie shrank back. 81 only wish to
see the plants in the conservatory"
she said. Il don't know If ! would be
allowed there"
"I'll be allowed there" was the re-
ply. land If any one attempts to put
me out he'll have to fight for the
privilege"
The timid girl looked with admira-
ton 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 contin-
ued his way toward the conservatory.
The door stood open and. deferentially
T. -