Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-03-17
BARBARA BRANDT.

mending, and the patches are three
deep on the table cloth now. Oh, deari
| wonder If there ever was a family so
poor al we are. It's nearly year since
had new dress, and my ribbons and
belts, and nets and things, are just
about gone and no hope Of ever being
able to buy more. I'm getting really
desperatel' Thus spoke Kathie Dun
can out Of the depths of her impa-
tience, pushing scissors and spools and
unfinished mending away from her
with little motion of disgust.
Ash Duncan got up from the lounge
where lie had been lying and limped
slowly and painfully across the floor to
al open window at the other side OF
the room. A fine looking man in
health, but pale now frow the effects OF
the wound that had sent him out OF
the army Blk months before, disabled
for life.
Getting desperate, grille? What
then do you think Of me?"
Something in the expression of his
face, in the quiet hopelessness of the
tone brought the quick tears TO her
ewes. In an instant her arms was
about his neck, her sunny curls close
TO his cheek.
What do | think Of you? Why that
you're the hest brother in all this world.
/ know it was selfish for me to talk like
that whea the poverty comes just as
hard on you AZ on me- Pm like a
spoiled baby, always fretting, but you
never complaint Barbara, thread
ing his dark hair through her fingers as
abe talked.
She stopped rs Il carriage came into
view around q corner ofthe quiet street
Il luxurious carriage, drawn by pair
of blooded horses that were the admira-
ton Of the whole town, aud driven by a
man whose appearance accorded well
with the stylish turnout rs it drew up
nj the Duncan door.
troubled look came into the broth
er's eyes AS he saw
"You'll have To go and entertain Mr..
Anderson u little bit, Kathie," putting
the girl gently away from him. bar
bara il not quite ready yet, | think.
While the sunbright head of one sis
ter flashed out Of one door the other
came III by the opposite one-only a
half-sister TO these two, though-beau-
tiful Barbara Brand. Half-sister and
second cousin also, for Mrs. Duncan's
two husbands had been own cousins,
bearing a striking family likeness to
each other, which accounted for the
fact that Ash and Ban bara looked very
much alike, while each resembled their
father, Kathie alone having her moth
er's blonde beauty. There was couple
of years difference III the ages of these,
and Barbara was the elder; but you
would not have guessed it, looking ut
them both with n strangers eyes. He
was twenty-five, she twenty-four. But
those three years Of army life had left
their mark upon him, while she was
radiant today i'll silken garments that
trailed MS she walked, with Il sparkling
jet-clasp ut her waist, with pretty, soft
scarlet shawl about her, and black
dotted veil shading the lovely brunette
face.
"Will | dc, ASH
think you will, Lady Barbara"
And truly she would.
10 he sure a woman's eve would
have descried poverty in every fold of
the carefully preserved silk; would
have OWNED that tho trimming which
gave the dress such distingue air had
been put on to conceal dire rent in
the shining fabric, would have discov-
cred the darns III the filmy handker-
chief, and discerned that the bonnet,
becoming rs il was, was of last years
fashion. But then she had not dressed
for woman's eyes this time
She stood long time before the glass
tying ON her bonnet. At last, 1T don't
suit me vet. Please fix it, Ash. You
are So handy handler a good deal,
than kathie,' kneeling down beside
him, this qneenly Barbara, 50 that he
need not get up.
Presently, 4 am glad you sent Kathie
away. want % speak to YOU Il mo-
ment before | go laying her two
hands on his shoulder ~ she still kuSlt
there. When ! am Leo Anderson's
wife YOU can have every comfort, Ash.
till You are stro:g again, and after that
money 60 SO 10 the commercial college,
as you have wanted to de-
" You are going to marry that man,
Barbara &"
He asked me three days ago, and |
promised To give him my answer this
afternoon.
And your answer will be-"
My answer viii be yes.
Barbara, Barbara, what are YOU do
ing? And what of Bertrand Stevens ?"
tie could see how white her face was
as she made answer:
Bertrand Stevens ship came in six
weeks ago. But We have not seen him.
lie has forgotten us. you see"
Maybe not. He NAV be sick. Or
something may have happened"
Her hands shook as they rested on
his shoulder.
i thought SO till last week-when
Captain Brass told ME that he was in
New York a month ago and saw him.
There was lady with him, he said"
She stepped there, not saying any
more, not crying either-her eyes
looked rs If they would never weep
again.
And YOU have known this week,
Barbara"
YES
That was all
She stood up pretty soon. Il have
kept Mr.. Anderson waiting long
enough"
Ash caught her hand as she was turn
ing away.
Don't bind yourself by promise
just yet, Barbara. Watt
She shook her head.
impossible. | promised him a
definite answer to-day. will not trifie
with him as-as have been trified
with
When she was gone Ash Duncan
went back to his lounge. Kathie had
fitted away to neighbours for an
hours chat, so he was alone, and lying
there he fought over again his own
battle-the battle he fought with his
own destiny on that day when the sur
geon had told him that he must be a
cripple all the rest Of his life.
It was thwarted, disappointed life.
and he was n thwarted, disappointed
man, batiied in all his hopes and am
billions. But he could have borne it all
he thought, ifby any means it
might have brought piece TO Barbara.
Faithful Barbara who had waited four
years for her lover, only to find him
untrue at last.
He knew how deep that hurt had
gone. A proud woman, but generous
IN her love, and true as steel where her