The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1911-09-19

she says it's the most beautiful fir
in the world"
'Of course" she asserted. looking a
Keene. 1T makes me ioathe steam
and coal?"
That night Keene went home witt
his pulses throbbing. She was no
offended. then, and from the fireplace
proposition 1t looked as If she wer'
going to follow out his suggestions
The next morning he met her driving
her grandfather over the place.
Isn't 1t dear old FARM" she cried
"keene," said the old man delight
eddy, "she loves the fence She doesn'
want 1t down"
Want 1t down." echoed the girl
looking at Keene. 1T is SO pictur
esque! And | like the idea OF fencing
In your possessions. I'd go farther 1
had home; I'd build wall arount
it,"
Il was afraid you'd think us old
fashioned" suggested her grandfather
Maybe, now, you'd like some nov
chairs and sofys"
why, grandfather, you couldn't buy
such beautiful old things anywhere. i
would spoil the place to put anything
modern In 1t, wouldn't it?" appealing
to Keene.
Indeed 1t would" he replied. hi'
heart warming
The next day he met Stephen driv
Ing from town. There was Sigh
flush In his withered cheeks and I
light In his dimmed eyes.
She's decided the farm back to me
keene." he said with sob. "She saic
had worked out my life on it, anc
that 1t belonged to me. OF course
shall Will 1t to her. trt 1t Is mine
now"
She has made him = man again,
Keene told himself, his heart full OF .
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
showed gracious air Ut good fellow
ship
Next Thursday" she announced
one day, rs grandfather's birthday
and am going to give him barn. q
big. red barn"
This had been a lOng-felt want oil
the old mans, and he was greatly ex
cited over the prospect.
We'll have q barn raising" he de
cided.
What is that?" asked Ruth won
deringly.
When the old man had explained
he added, with a sigh, 1T amt wha1
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 timer
1T was a great event. Men cam,
from miles around, Is or 30 Of them
with their families. We set loni
tables and most always killed a sheep
Your grandmother made a few dozel
pies. and In the evening we had dane
Ing ana games.
Wen have just such one thi
time." she cried ecstatlcally.
Forthwith they began to plan az
cordingly. This renewal of an oil
custom was looked forward to in tn
whole district, and when the EVENT.,
day arrived, Keene was the first on
on hand. He caught the infection {
the old mans delight and helped I
make the day a success. and the dil
ner was one never to be forgotten
What wonders she has worked!
thought Keene, looking at the hapl
young hostess. How glad | am
gave her the keynote. She is SO goo
she could not help being generous
him. but she might not have graspe
the situation so quickly If l had n,
written to her. 1t is sweet In h,
never to have alluded to 1t In ar
way"
His courage was inspired to Il
point he had been yearning for sin,
that first glimpse of her by the fir
side. When. after the departure
the guests, he was left alone with he
he opened his heart to her, and 81
shyly responded to his love-
We'll live here in the dear o
home with grandfather she plead
when he was saying goodnight
Tomorrow, he thought, as he W
walking home. II will speak to her
the letter"
When he went into the house
found missive from the dead lett
office. Opening it. be found his lett
. which had been misdirected
watched 1t burn.
II will never tell her" he conclude