The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-12-01
Barbara's Difficulty.

her Own mothers death and the arrival of
the youthful stranger who had been some
how persuaded by Squire Hawkins to "come
and take keer of his little darter."
The history of the next five years, in
which she herself had grown from girlhood
to womanhood, included all the genuine sun
shine of Barbara's life, and she knew to
whom that change, and good many excel
lent things, were due.
Then, since the squire had been gathered
to bis fathers, what notable manager had
Widow Hawkins proved herself for the very
moderate property he had left behind himl
1t was just there that the difficulty was
now coming in, for that which, with such
good management, had kept the two women
very nicely so long as they lived together,
could continue to do so only under Just that
state of affairs. The widows share, if set
apart by itself, would be only another name
for poverty. True, and what sutton, or at
least which one of the two now nearest to
proper condition for consideration, would
care to s'marry mother-in-law," and step.
mother at that. as well as a wife?
"And she understands it," said Barbar to
herself that September afternoon, ''as well as
do. She's as polite to both of them as If
they were counting her instead of me. l
must say it's been very convenient once or
twice, for they both like her. In fact, every
body likes her, and that's what makes my
position so very peculiar"
A very pretty girl was Barbara Hawkins;
even pretter than her stepmother, and that
was saying something, in tspite of the wild
owls thirty years.
A sbft eof a belle, too, was the squire's
"heiress" in that unambitious rural commu-
nifty, and by no means without some charac-
teristics which put the village gossips at times
in mind of esquire Hawkins fust wife,"
At the present juncture, however, the pub
lie opinion of the Dorcas Society was more
than usually perplexed. The best judges of
such matters were inclined to think 'guess Bill
Emmons is a eetle ahead" although this was
sure to be followed by the remark, shut then,
you know, Dan Growers got ten dollars to
Bilps one, and he's mighty sight stiddier."
And Barbara was in worse quandary
about it than the Dorcas Society knew how 10
be, for at times she almost suspected her heart
OF threatening an impertinent interference be-
fore her head could have fair chance.
"She'd be entitled to third, suppose"
sooquized the fair maiden, "and she's won
deriul hand with her needle. There's no dan
ger of her starving. There's lots of folks'd be
glad enough to have her come and live with
them.'
And Barbara did not know it, but a train OF
thought very nearly related to her own was at
that moment passing through the mind OF the
widow, as she stepped lightly to and fro
among the household duties, of which she so
kindly relieved her step-daughter.
81 don't hear the piano." murmnred the
soft, low voice of the widow, ''and yet know
she wanted to practice that new piece. Young
Emmons'll be here this evening. fought not
to say word in such matter. She's old
enough to decide for herself, but why can't she
see that Dan Growers worth five hundred of
him?-not 10 mention his farm, and that
is something, nowadays. / wouldn't put
that in his head, .however-not for the world.
Pve paid dearly enough for making just that
sort sof mistake. Better have gone out to
service or taken in sewing. That's what L
may have to do when Barbara's married."
The neat, tidy figure paused in the kitchen
doorway as she said that and shade Of sad
ness swept across her face.
"Live in the house with Bill Emmons for
he master of it?" she exclaimed, after a
pause. Not /, indeed! She won't have
sense enough to settle on Dan Grover, Pm
afraid. Would l stay then, if she did? No
SO long a. could oorn or bog any other ohel-
ter!,'
Tue last exclamation came out with un-
necessary energy, and the widow caught up
broom and made an immediate assault on
the kitchen floor.
The sweeping was very unnecessary in
deed.
Barbara had very clearly misunderstood her
step-mother, and the widow had also failed to
penetrate the mind of the Squire's pretty and
sensible representative.
There was only too good reason why the
sheet of music forwarded by Mr.. Emmons
had received so little attention that afternoon.
Barbara's morning walk had carried her
past the fine old homestead of the Growers,
now the sole property of the present family
foti ND el,n 1xaI kal L.
precisely the renovatipg and beautifying pro-
cess on which Dan was expanding half the
proceeds OF that years liberal wheat crop.
Carpenters, GLACIERS, painters and all the
Dorcas Society was in arms she knew about
the extravagant waste which was Transform
ing the old-fasbioned interior.
More than one village critic had added to
his other charitable thoughts the surmise,
Looks kinder bad for Bill Emmons;' and
Barbara herself could have assured them of
the correctness of their reasoning.
She was too kind-hearted, however, not
to add to herself, $50 much the better too, for
Mrs. Hawkins. Neither Dan nor 1 would OBJ
ject TO her living at the old place till we could
linda buyer. only wish she could raise the
money and buy it herself"
1t was, therefore. as the mistress of the
renovated mansion behind the naples at the
road that Barbara Hawkins was considering
herself when teatime came, and she was quite
willing to hurry back into the parlor while
her ready handed step.mother supervised
their solitary 'help" in putting away; the
tea things.
By the time poor Bill Emmons made his
appearance after his long days Grudgery in
the one law office of the village, where he was
the Junior, and therefore perhaps the work
ing, partner-by that time Barbara was ready
civilly as she received him, to wish he would
postpone his call until she could receive him
in $50 much better STYLE" And yet that
night OF all nights the young lawyer had made
up his mind to put his fate to the test and
Twin or lose it alp.
Not bad fellow was Bill. and he had more
than once reflected how charmingy conve-
nient was the location of the Hawkins home
stead, and what tremendous lift the
possession OF that and the productive little
farm belonging thereto would give to a strug-
Cling young lawyer like himself. The fact
that he was over head and ears in love with
Barbara made the whole affair absoutely
beautiful.
Sad was the trial to his impatient feelings,
therefore when all the eloquence of which
he was master-and he had long considered
himself master of the situation as well-only
resulted in obtaining for him the promise
from Barbara that she "wouldI consult her
STEP mother"
''Such change it would make for her if
should leave herp sighed Barbara.
Not at all, not at ALL" eagerly exclaimed
Bill. ''She could live with us, you know.
Everybody likes her. Pm sure 1 do. She
wouldn't be in the way at ALL"
But vain was ali he could say or do, ex-
cept that Barbara's vision of the Grover
farm and house may havel receded somewhat
as she listened to the pleading of her sutton.
She almost hoped Dan.might not come that
evening for not only the present situation
had its charms, but it might have its perils as
well. Dan Grover was not a man to be trifed
with. she knew, for all his quiet, selfcon.
tanned ways.
And SO it was with something of a feeling of
relief that Barbara listened. at last, to the
bur of the big kitchen clock striking nine.
1t was at the same instant that the shadow
OF TWO who were walking side by side in the
moonlight fell on the gate in singularly
unl1ed manner; and then, as the gate open
ed, Barbara sprang to her feet with a slight
exclamation. She had been sitting close to
the low window-seat, and she had not seen
fit, or had forgotten, to light lamp.
There may or there may not have been
any cause for surprise, but the way of if had