The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1911-11-02

four and fourteen We were firm
friends. but Of course you don't re.
member"
Il am not SO sure about that" she
replied. When l smell new mown
hay. have feeting vision Of a big
boy with q gentle touch who used to
carry me on his back through fields"
Il was that boy" he declared.
Then draw up chair to our lively
fire."
She likes the fireplace. Keene,"
said the old man In childish eagerness.
she says it's the most beautiful 6re
in the world"
lot course" she asserted. looking at
Keene. 1T makes me loathe steam
and coal?"
That night Keens went home with
bic pulses throbbing. She was not
Offended. then. and from the fireplace
proposition It looked 40 II she were
going to follow out his suggestions.
The next morning hs met her driving
her grandfather over the place.
Isn't II dear old farm!" she cried.
"Keene," said the old man delight.
eddy. she loves the fence. She doesn't
want It down."
Want II down." echoed the girl,
looking At Keene. 1T 10 20 pictur.
esque! And like the idea Of fencing
In your possessions. Id 60 farther II
] had q home: I'd build a wall around
It,"
II was afraid you'd think US old.
fashioned" suggested her grandfather
Maybe. now. you'd like some new
chairs and sofys."
why, grandfather. you couldn't buy
such beautiful old things anywhere. 1t
would spoil the place to put anything
modern in It. wouldn't IT." appealing
to Keene
Indeed 1t would" he replied, his
heart warming
The next day he met Stephen driv.
Ing from town. There was slight
flush in his withered cheeks and
light In his dimmed eyes.
Shes decided the farm back to me,
Keene," he said with sob. she said
I had worked out my life on II, and
that 1t belonged to me. or course
shall will It to her, but It Is mine,
now"
she has made him man again."
Keene told himself. bis 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
showed a gracious air Of 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 q long.felt want OF
The old mans. and he was greatly ex.
,ited over the prospect.
We'll have a barn raising" he de-
.ided.
What is that!" asked Ruth won.
leringly.
When the old man had explained,
'e added. with a sigh. 1T amt what
used to be. They have new tangled
machinery and just few men who
ring their own dinner with them"
How was II In the olden time!"
1T was a great event Men came
rom miles around. 26 or 30 Of them,
nth their families. We set long
ables and most always killed q sheep.
our grandmother made q few dozen
lee. and In the evening We had dane
ag and games
We'll have Just such . one this
me." she cried ecstatically.
Forthwith they began to plan &C.
ordingly. This renewal Of an old
ustom was looked forward to In the
hole district, and when the eventful
~ arrived. Keene was the first one
a hand. He caught the infection of
he old mans delight and helped to
lake the day . success. and the din
Or was one never to be forgotten.
What wonders she has worked"
,ought keene. looking at the happy
Dung hostess. How glad I am I
ave her the keynote. She IL SO good.
be could not help being generous to
I'm. but she might not have grasped
le situation so quickly II had not
ritten to her. II Is sweet in her
ever to have alluded TO 1t In any
ay."
His courage was inspired to the
pint he had been yearning for since
lat first glimpse Of her by the fire.
de. When. after the departure OF n
le guests, he was left alone with her,
, opened his heart to her, and she
lyly responded to bis love.
Well live here In the dear old
,me with grandfather" she pleaded
hen he was saying goodnight