The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1909-08-28

doesn't want 1t down.
want it down |" echoed the girl,
looking at Keene. 1T is so pictur-
esque And like the idea of fenc-
ing in your possessions. I'd go far
ther if I had home I'dbtild wall
around It,"
IT was afraid you'd think us old
fashioned" suggested her grand
father. Maybe, now, you'd like
some new chairs and sofas.' =
"Why, grandfather, you couldn't
buy such beautiful old things any
where. It would spoil the place to
put anything modern in it, wouldn't
itl" appealing to Keene.
Indeed, it would, he replied, his
heart warming.
The next day he met Stephen driv-
ing from town. There was a slight
flush In his withered cheeks and a
light in his dimmed eyes.
"She's decided the farm back to
me, Keene," he said with a sob.
"She said I had worked ont my life
on it, and that it belonged to me. Of
course, shall will 1t to her, but 1t Is
mine now. !"
''She has made him man again, =
Keene told himself, his heart full Of
a tender reverence for the generous
young grandchild.
Each day brought some new evi-
dence Of her thoughtfulness for the
old mans comfort and happiness.
Towards .Keene himself she ever show
ed agracious air of good fellowship.
Next Thursday" !" she announced
one day, '.is grandfather's birthday,
and I am going to give him barn. a
big, red one"
This had been long-felt want of
the old mans, and he was greatly ex-
cited over the prospect.
"We'll have barn raising" he
decided.
"What is that?" asked Ruth won
deringly.
When the old man had explained,
he added, with a sigh: 1T amt
what 1t used to be. They have new
tangled machinery and just a few
men who bring their own dinner with
them"
How was it in the olden time 7"
"It was great event. Men came
from miles around, twenty FIVE or
thirty of them, with their families.
We set long tables and most always
killed sheep. Your grandmother
made a few dozen pies, and in the
evening we had dancing and games =
"We'll have just such a one this
time" she said ecstatically.
Forthwith they began to plan ac-
cordingly. This renewal of an old
custom was looked forward to in the
whole district, and when the event
full day arrived. Keene was the first
one on hand. He caught the infec-
ton Of the old mans delight and
helped to make the day a success, and
the dinner was one never to be for
gotten,
"What wonders she has worked l''
thought Keene, looking at the happy
young hostess. "How glad am I
gave her the keynote. She is so good
she could not help being generous to
him, but she might not have grasped
the situation SO quickly if / had not
written to her. It is sweet in her
never to have alluded to it In any
way"
His courage was inspired to the
point he had been yearning for since
that first glimpse of her by the fire.
side. When, after the departure of
the guests, he was left alone with
her, he opened his heart to her, and
she shyly responded to her love.
"We'll live here in the dear old
home with grandfather, she pleaded
when he was saying goodnight.
Tomorrow" he thought, as he
was walking home, "I will speak to
her of the letter."
When he went into the house he
found missive from the dead letter
Office. Opening 1t he found his let
ter which had been misdirected. He
watched it burn.
1T will never tell her." he con-
cluded. .-MeaO Orleans Pscaynne.