Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1917-01-12
Two
One of Them Seemed In
Clined to Commit
Burglary
By ETHEL HOLMES

To women flowers are irresistible.
Men sometimes love flowers, but it is
questionable If any mar ever felt to-
ward them as a oma may feel. To
a 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.
EfRe 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 go elsewhere for her
favorites.
One day toward the close of the sum-
mer, when the flowers that are culfi-
waited In the open were fast shedding
their petals, Fife 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. 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 n 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
a gap between two ranges of hills OF,
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 a golden glow.
When Efie 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. TIE awnings to protect the
windows and the porch from the sun
were still in fSiiE places; wicker chairs
and hammock. 7ad not been taken in.
The gate wad open. A gravel walk
led up to the House and a conservatory
beside it. Most of the plants had been
removed from .heir beds to their glass
home. Fhe open gate and the
gravel walk were inviting. Efie was
drawn by the sight of verdure under
the transparent house to go in and in
hale that delicious odor so enjoyable
to lovers of Plants. But dare she?
That was a qnestion she alone could
She looked l.ngingly for some time
into the inclusure, expecting to see
some n moving about. Despite the
appearance of occupancy, no one ap.
The Place had surely not been
closed for the coming winter or the
porch furniture would have been re-
moved. If sire the occupants had
gone away, E1ie thought she would
venture In; If not, she would refrain.
While she Yves peering wistfully she
heard a step, and a young man in hunt.
ing costume aud with a gun on his
shoulder approached. Fife wondered
If he would know whether the coast
was clear.
"Can you tell me" she asked, "wheth-
er the family living in that house arc
there now?"
why do you wish to known" asked
the young man
"Because-beRuse-well, I would like
to go in and lock about-the conserva-
tory
"You don't mean that you are afraid
to do SOP" the buntsman interrupted.
at isn't that If the family were
not there ii wouldn't be SO much like
trespassing."
But it would be t~respassing all the
same, wouldn't itY"
81 don't know, There would be no
one there to be attended"
"Well, such being the case, suppose
we go in and have a look"
81 will if there's no n 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 1T home"
Efie shrank hlck. ST only wish to
see the plants m the conservatory
she said. 81 dent know if I would be
allowed there"
SRI be allowed there was the re-
ply, "and if arr n attempts to put
me out he'll bave to fight for the
privilege"
The timid girl looked with admira-
ton and envy On this fearless man
who dare invnse another's premises
and followed him meekly into the