Middletown transcript., 1911-08-19

Keene Warden sat at the
clumsy, old-fashioned writing
desk, staring hopclessly at a
blank piece of letter paper.
Several fragments were scatter
ed on the floor, bearing testimony
to fruitless efforts. He was
better educated than the average
farmer in the vicinity Of Corns
vile, and be had a clear, reason
ing mind, but his undertaking
was of delicate nature. More
over his six feet of manhood
strobe away from other peoples
business instead of poking into
it.
He felt that he owed it to his
fathers memory to protect bis
fathers friend, Stephen Ross, in
his old age. In his day Stephen
had been a prosperous farmer
Successive off-seasons had done
their work and the inevitable
mortgage had rolled up its added
interest. His wife's illness and
death had weakened his strength
and ambition. He had lost his
farm and gone to live on q ten
acre strip saved from the wreck
Then his only son, who had no
aptitude for farming, had gone
west, married, made a FAR
fortune in mining stocks and
written to his father tn come out
and share his luxurious home.
But the old mans heart and
memories were too strongly root
ed in his meadow lands to stand
transplanting. So the son had
bought the farm back and let his
father live on it, also making
him a generous allowance. Step
hen was as happy as his solitary
freside would allow him to be,
but the fire side was about to be
cheered by his granddaughter, a
young girl of nineteen whom ne
had not seen in fifteen years.
Her father was going to Mexico
for o six months sojourn among
some mines and she had written
that she felt a longing to see her
fathers boyhood home and her
grandfather.
IT'S really hers, you know,
Stephen had said, when telling
Keene the news. Her father
decided it to her when he bought
it.
Her coming will cheer you up
wonderfully, Mr.. Ross, ventured
Keene.
Yes, agreed the old man, but
there was a reservation in his
tone, a foreboding in his eyes,
and Keene gradually drew from
him the cause. 1t was this talk
which had prompted the letter
to Ruth Ross. Finally he man.
aged to explain to this pampered
young person that her grand
father was old and lived entirely
in the past, clinging pathetically
to old ways. He told her he
knew that the farm was hers, but
he urged her not to make the i'm
provements that would doubtless
suggest themselves to her. This
the old man was fearing and
dreading that she would do.
About six days after the mail
ing of this letter he looked for a
reply, but none came.
She is offended and thinks me
nervy. he thought ruefully. Med.
dlers always make matters worse.
She'll probably take pains to do
all the things | asked her not to
do.
A week later Ruth Rose arriv.
ed and Keene went over to meet
her. He entered the big living
and dining room, braced to meet
a scornful young damsel. The
room was lighted only 0y the
flames fir, III the fireplace. The
old man sa' in his usual place,
looking, as Keene's quick, keen
glance noted. ten years younger
and 20 years happier. A slender
slip of a girl with soft, sweet
eyes and smooth, shining hair
came forward with extended
hand.
Mr.. Warden, papa has told me
so often of all the pranks you
played when you were a boy that
I feel as if l knew you.
You do, he said earnestly. The
summer you were here when you
were four and I fourteen we were
firm friends, but Of course you
don't remember.
I am not so sure about that,
she replied. When smell new
mown hay, | have a fieeting WIS.,
ion of q big boy with a gentle
touch who used to carry me on
hse hooly 4hroY,nrh haIln