, 1882-05-26


was in need of a companion, whose
expenses she would expect to pay, to
accompany her to the mountains, and
that as her-Mrs. As sister was
with her, she May-thought perhaps
Mrs. A. would go
Both knew that if Mrs. Andrews
was made aware of Barbara's sacrl-
flee, she would refuse to become the
recipient Of the favor offered her.
s. shall feel like hypocrlte play
ing Lady Bountiful with your money,
Barby," said May.
Il know how you hate anything
underhanded," replied Barbara; but
something Of that kind seems neces
sary in this case and" she added,
softly, THAT will be little cross for
HIS sake"
Well, they had little cry and kissed
each other, and Barbara started
for home ...
As May watched her going down
the street, she said to herself in an ad-
miring tone: Dear old Barby |
don't believe / could have done it."
The summer days went on one af-
ter another, and with stout heart
Barbara performed the tasks which
generally fall to farmers daughters.
Never once did she regret what she
had done. Rather was she thankful
that strength had been given her to
do the right thing. Saturday even
ing was the happiest time of all the
week to her, for then she always re-
ceived a long letter from May, tell
ing how strong Mrs. Andrews was
growing how the color was coming
back to her face, and her cough be-
coming less troublesome evrey day.
OF the lovely sketches made by Fred
Burton, and the beautiful views, ex
hilarating walks, and all the many
things enjoyed by the writer.
If these letters, seeming to bring
with them something Of the breath of
the hills from which they came, some
times made her for little time dis
contented she shook the feeling off,
saying: . = 49, -.
"a gift which is not chee,tully Civ
en- is only half given, '..u,
With the first red leaves came her
friends. The autumn slipped quietly
away, and things settled down for the
winter. Fred Burton only remained
a day or two at home after his return
from the mountains, and then went
to New York, and by and by it began
to be said that the young man had
signed the pledge, and was working
away diligently at his painting. He
sometimes wrote to Barbara free,
frank letters, telling her of his work
and plans, but never tracing one word
of love. ..g..E
Letters which did the receiver more
good than all the temperance lectures
he had ever heard, did Barbara send
as answers to Fred's epistles, Read
ing much more in his letters than his
pen had written, she knew he was
struggling bravely with his weak
nesses, and had full faith that he
would be the victor. ..n, ....
When the winter had glided by,
and spring had given place to sum
mer, Fred Burton, just arrived from
New York, called one day on the FL
wells. Sitting in the shady old porch
with father, mother, and daughter, he
said: ., .r.. .r....l 80. .....
"Mr. Elwell, two wears ago you
very wisely denied me the privilege
of addressing your daughter as a suit
or until / should become a better
man. resolved then to be all you
would have me, but tried without ask
ing help from heaven and, as you
know, failed
"Just a year ago to-day / called, in
the morning, on May Merrill. When
/ had finished my short visit, and was
going out by the front way, spied
some roses blossoming near the sit
ting room window and knowing
May would be quite willing, went
near them to pick some of them to
take to a friend of mine. AS stood
there gathering the flowers and re-
moving the thorns from their stems,
the person for whom i had intended
the boquet came into the sitting room,
having entered the house by the back
door. i had no thought of caves
dropping but soon became SO inter
ested in what May and her friend
were saying that l forgot to think
whether i was doing 50 or not. May
had been telling me how Barbara had
for two or three years been saving as
much of the money you gave her for
clothes as possible, in order that she
might spend few weeks at the White
Mountains. She could not, / knew,
be well spared to go away from home
to earn money, as the housework here
would be much too heavy for you, Mrs.
Elwell, and servants are too expon-
sive for your husband May told me
how much delight the thought of this
mountain trip had given your daugh-
ter and how much enjoyment she ex-
pected to derive from it.
Standing there beneath the win
dow, | heard Barbara propose to give
I'D the lOnged for pleasure. that an