Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-11-08
Held Prisoner:

~ ARBARA MARTIN sat In the
Shoneysuckle arbor, knitting. 1t
was only O'Clock In the morn
ing. Since the ConQueror-as she called
her-came, she had had no resource
against time except knitting and mis-
sionary work, and even her char!ty-lov-
ing heart could not find the shadow Of
an excuse for making poor-caIls this
morning.
Moreover, Barbara loved charity
work, and hated knitting; and it was
this same hate that made her cling to it
so assiduously. If she had lived In the
Middle Ages. she would have provided
herself with sack-clOth and ashes.
1t was June, and the odors Of honey
suckles and roses were mingled with
those of ripening strawberries and pun
gent garden herbs. Pollen busted bees
and iridescent butterflies fitted about
In the sunshiEs, and among the ten
drills Of the gn Lpevine above her head
was the half concealed nest Of a wren.
Nothing was afraid of Barbara. Even
now one Of the wrens was twittering
not three feet away from her clicking
needles.
But Barbara was in q disturbed
frame of mind this morning, and not
even conscious Of her tiny friends pres
ence. She could hear the ConQuerOr
bustling about In the kitchen-her
kitchen now-rattling dishes. opening
and shutting doors, whistling to the
canary bird, and now and then indulg-
ing in a snatch Of high pitched, breezy
song. The ConQueror was a splendid
housekeeper, but she was so energetic,
and so strong minded, and so capable.
She did all her housework, looked after
the poultry and flower garden, was
president Of the missionary society, and
found plenty Of time to visit and re-
ceive calls. Barbara admired her vast
ly, but she could never quite under
stand how one woman could accom-
plish so much. Every morning her con-
science made her offer to help with the
work, and every morning the Con-
queror said that slow help was a
bother.
And that is why Barbara's mornings
were spent In the arbor, or out making
poOr-calls-
y
undisputed mistress, doing the work In
her quiet, prim, lady-like way, never
dreaming that the years would bring
any great change. She had been house
keeper for her father until he died. and
Afterwards for her brother He had
Just passed his fortfeth birthday, and
she her forty-third, when the Con-
Queror came.
Barbara was not combat1ve, but at
the end of month she had gone to her
brother and asked for her share Of the
7Hrty SO that she might 90 and live
.E-e wruid not iet her have
Ind, furthe. .uore he had advaS "a i.
the unnecessary argument that she was
getting too old to live by herself She
had WINGED little at this thrust; but 1t
was true, she told herself remorseless-
ly; she was getting to be quite an old
woman. And yet her skin was still soft
and her cheeks had the same delicate
flush that made her a belle in the far
OF days Of her girlhood, and there was
not a single gray intruder among all
the glossy brown hair that was coiled
and massed upon her head.
She was thinking of the future now.
trying to steel herself to do something
desperate; to go away, to seek employ
ment-anything. If her brother would
nos give up her share Of the property
she would surely be able to earn a liv-
ing somewhere.
20, here you are, Miss Barbara! I've
looked for you everywhere" and Kate.
r0rLo fSfo
arbor and pumped herself down on the
seat. Kate was 1S. very vivacious, and
very much In love with herself.
20, Miss Barbara, have you heard the
news? The Rev. Percy Thompson,
missionary to China, Is coming to
Bridgewater and is going to lecture to
the missionary society next week, and
is coming here to stay. What do you
think Of that7 Going to stay here with
US a whole week."
Barbara arose quickly, then sat down
and began to ply her needles with des-
perate energy.
What do you mean, childT' she
gasped, In a voice that she intended to
be calm. How do you known
''Your brother was at the station
when he got of the train this morning,
and he invited him here. I was In your
brothers office and saw him, and he's
Just splendid-six feet high and more,
and carries himself like a regular SOL
der Your brother told me to hurry
back and let you know he was coming"
She was silent for few moments, with
q self-satisfied smile on her pretty face,
rr-ffh 20 o1t
my cap at him. I'm just sick and tired
Of this poky place, and 1 always did
want to go to China and foreign coun-
tries"
Child, child" demonstrated Barbara,
"he's more than twice your age"
"Only As. 1 heard him tell your
brother so. That's just the right age
in a man. And there's nobody here can
hold a candle to him. I don't beuev"
there are many real handsome women
in China; and, do you know. Miss Bar
bara, a clever girl can do almost any
thing with a man in a week.
Maybe he's married, child"
mo, he isn't. He has a charming
nouse. l saw the photo. And has
man to cook and do his work. Ny sis.
ter says 1 must look sharp. for he's
awfully rich, even II he Is mission
ary." She was silent again for some
minutes, tapping her foot complacent-
" against the rustic work Of the arbor.
Then she looked at Barbara with sud
den interest.
He said he used to live here when
he was a young man. Did you know
him, Miss BarbaraT
HE went to school with brother and
me-" said Barbara, quietly. He used
to live In that house across the street
believe he was considered a very nice
young man then"