Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1917-12-20
His Last
Request
By JULIA GRAY

ing room had put on quite a
festive appearance Christmas
- morning. 1t was rather cold.
nd the furnace was in Its usual state
- row reserve, but Farley had stuck
ho,lv and evergreen around the oil
rs,ntings of garnished fish and High.
;srd Cattle" and each table had a
brave sprig Of mistletoe tied with GRIM
,ou and green ribbon laid beside each
rlate. That was Beth's special offer
ing
Al each member of the household
came In the greetings were hearty and
mite satisfactory. even to Beth. She
had not thought the experiment would
hiring out even that much fellowship
and good will from the silent, self-ab-
sorbed crowd at Mrs. Forbes.
She put the prettlest bunch Of all
and a card Of Christmas cheer beside
Mr.. Bcnchley's plate. Poor, grouchy
old Scotchman. nobody ever had a
GOOD word for him. In all the months
that she had been an inmate of the
Forbes dOmicile she couldn't remember
that anyone had ever given him even
pleasant greeting. He came down.
stairs to breakfast late and always
xrun ling, grumbled at his food, which
CARR, :, the colored maid. slid across
the table at him, grumbled at the fur
mace and weather and the mailman,
at the boarders and Mrs. Forbes and
life In general.
But Beth liked him best of all. That
morning she had found outside her
door box of fresh violets and book
she had been wishing for inscribed
from her sincere friend, Alan Farley.
It was the book more than the inscrip-
don that showed the thoughts OF the
giver, for 1t was named "The Well Be
loved" AS Beth glanced through 1t
she had smiled. remembering a verse
that Alan liked to repeat from Mrs.
Browning:
What shall I give to my beloved?
A little faith all undisproved.
That was what he gave to her, only
not in small measure. in full rich meas
ure, all his hearts faith and love, ask
Ing her to believe in him and be pa
tent for his success. And she could
not tell him that she didn't give rap
for his success; that she would rather
a hundred times over have been mar
ried to him. even If she had kept on
running mates together. So between
them was the promise of marriage and
to the boarding house at large he was
"there sincere friend"
"The old mans sick in bed" said
Carrie briskly, as she swept the crumbs
from Beths place. HE amt coming
down. He's grooming fearful"
"Oh, dear" Beth pushed back her
chair. but Farley was before her. She
found him bending over the old
man, tending him like an experienced
nurse.
It's only an attack of acute indiges-
tion." he told her. Hell be all right.
I'm good doctor" He smiled down
at her, and Mr.. Benchley groaned and
turned over to see who had come in.
May | wish you Merry Christmas,
Mr.. Benchley?" Beth asked. I'm SO
sorry you don't feel we'll"
Don't feel we'll Losh, mon, hear
the lass talk Get more hot water.
Twas on'ie bit Of wee fuddle had
the NIGHT, but 1t left mo dowershie.
Fruit cake aud wine after ten o'clock
WI bring any mon down on his back.
DO they miss me down belowf'
He was grave of face, but there was
twinkle in his eye. Alan raised him
up and placed couple Of pillows be.
mind him for support
Now, you're gay enough. sir" hs
said.
Benchley looked from one face t,
the other, one on each side of his bed
ana his eyes glowed from under theil
ehatrh of heavy gray brows.
You'll be married the day" he an
swered slowly 81 once loved lass
10 my sorrow, Alan. She was to wni'
'"r me, and puir fool. worked my lif,
Out Tor her, and she married a lonl
legged loom IN the next town. I'm tell