Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-09-03

IL
headlines: "a Spicy Tale of Hired
Girl and Preacher. The Rev. Mr..
Morton, of the Fashionable Marble
Square Church, to Wed a Hired Girl.
Full Particulars of the Engagement.
With Snapshots of the PARTIES"
There were two columns of descrip-
ton that were worthy Of authorship
from the lowest pit, accompanied with
what purported to be reliable pictures
Of the two lovers. And it was from the
perusal Of ell this horrible invasion
Of every sacred and tender private
feeling that the human heart holds
dear, that most of the men and wom-
en- had come into church that morning
to add to the sensation by almost as
heartless and cruel scrutiny Of Bar
bara and Mr.. Morton.
Barbara did not know all of this;
but, even il she had, her love was SO
pure and great that it is doubtful
whether anything could have obscured
her perfect happiness. When her
lover rose up to preach, she never felt
more pride in him, or more confidence
in his powers.
He fully justified all her expecta-
lions. Unlike Barbara, he knew quite
fully al the venom and vileness of the
paper in question. On his way to
church, grinning newsboys had faunt-
ed the pages in his face and shouted
their contents in his ears. From all
that, he had gone into his room, and
after the sustaining prayer that had
refreshed and quieted his soul he had
gone out to face the people. But he
had drst faced God. He was not in the
least afraid OF the people after that.
1t is doubtful whether Marble
Square church had ever heard such
preaching before. It is doubtful
whether Morton had ever before had
such vision or delivered such mes
sage. The spell of his power was on
all the great congregation. Hearts
that had come to criticise, to sheer, to
ridicule, were touched by his words.
Members of his parish who after read
ing the paper had fully made up their
minds 70 sever all connection with the
church changed their minds during
the wonderfully sweet and helpful
prayer that followed the sermon.
All, Barbara and Ralph! The Spirit
of God is greater than all the evil Of
men. II victory comes out of all this
suffering for you, it will be due to
Gods power over the selfish, thought
less, cruel children of men.
When the service was over, Barbara
quietly went out with Mrs. Ward. In
the vestibule they were met by Mrs.
Dillingham;, who had come out of the
other door from side aisle.
With scores Of people noting what
was said and done the majestic old
lady greeted Barbara with courteous
and even kindly greeting that was un-
mistakable and created genuine sem
sation, for no family in all Marble
Square church had higher connections
than the Dillinghams.
"My dear Miss Clark" Mrs. Dilling-
ham had said, "your mother was kind
enough to return my call. You have
not been 80 good. viii you come and
see me soonP"
Indeed will, Mrs. Dillingham;, If
you have forgiven my neglect Of your
Invitation SO far"
"1'll forgive anything in Dilling-
ham. You don't forget you're one Of
us, as have said BEFORE"
She swept out OF the vestibule
grandly, holding her head little high
er than usual, and Barbara blessed the
nobility in her that was unspoiled by
all her riches and social rank. Prob
ably nothing that occurred that morn
ing made deeper impression social
~. The old lady had not said word
about the engagement. She had too
much delicacy and good taste. But it
was just as plain as if she had well
coined Barbara as her minister's wife
that she accepted the situation with
out Q thought of remonstrance and
was prepared to act loyalty towards
Mr.. Morton, respecting his choice and
even ready to defend it before any and
all Of her influential acquaintance.
Miss Dillingham; was at the other
end OF the yestibule while her mother
was talking to Barbara. She did not
approach Barbara, and, SO far as could
DO seen, did not even look at her dur
Ing the service. Her proud, handsome
face was directed, however, with a
nxed and painful gaze upon the
preacher through all the service. If
at the close Alice Dillingham; calmly
shut the door of her own heart over
Its dream Of romance in which the tai
ented preacher Of Marble Square
had begun to be .adored, it may be that
Sr111 ~. in
avoidance Of her by the one who had
lost what Barbara had gained, Bar
bara saw no cause for personal Ill will.
When the heart aches, there are times
when it must ache alone, and riches
and beauty are no security and no
comfort.
The weeks that followed this event.
full Sunday were crowded with Incl
dents and meaning for Barbara. She
remained nearly . month with Mrs.
Ward, until help had been secured,
and then with mutual sorrow the
women parted, Barbara going home to
make preparation, with her mothers
help. for her marriage.
IF you aren't suited with the situa-
ton you've found, you can come back
to US any time" Mr.. Ward said, as his
wife kissed Barbara and made no at
tempt to hide her sorrow plainly
shown by the tears on her face.
Thank you," responded Barbara,
laughing through her tears, for it
was real grief for her to go; II am
afraid shall never come back. But,
II you will come and see us, will