Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-09-20

Mrs. Burns declared with decision.
81 had given MRS. Ward credit for
more SENSE" Mrs. Wilson said, grave
". "But / must turn down here.
Good-by."
"Good-by. Don't forget the com
mittee meeting at my house to-mor-
row" cried Mrs. Rice, and very soon
she parted from Mrs wilson. remind
ing her, rs they separated, of the
church-committee meeting later in
the week.
The next morning after Mr.. Ward
had gone down TO his business Mrs.
Ward said 10 Barbara: You remem-
Der Mr.. Morton is coming TO lunch
with us to-day. Would you Ike to
sit at the table with us?"
The color rusheA into Barbara's
face. and she did not answer at once.
Then she said slowly: NO. Mrs.
Ward. ton you when | came. if you
remember. that | never expected 10
sit with the family at meal-time. My
place as servant is TO wait on the
family them
Every WELL" replied Mrs. Ward.
quietly. 81 simply asked because
want YOU to understand that | am
ready TO help YOU. OF course. YOU are
not like the other girls who have
worked for us. have no doubt yon
could he perfectly at your ease with
Mr.. Morton or anyone else in So
ciety." Mrs Ward spoke with some
womanly curiosity, for barbara had
not vet taken her into fun confidence,
and there was much i'm the girls pur-
pose and character that Mrs. Ward
did not know.
Il suppose | coull, probably Ear
bara answered, demurely.
"Of course. You shut Yourself out
Of the society of people in your own
rank of life by choosing TO be Serv-
ant" Mrs. Ward went ON abruptly.
"You know that as well as | do
"Nes." replied Barbara. grayclY.
"You know well enough that il I
had introduced YOU yesterday TO all
the people i'm Marble square church,
probably not one of them would ever
have invited YOU TO come and see
he church life"
Il suppose so,' Barbara replied,
flushing deeply. And then she said:
But | understand well enough that
such conditions exist because in the
majority of ca-es the girls who go
out 10 service in crawford would not
care 10 he invited 10 the homes Of the
people i'm Marble Square church. and
would feel very miserable and i'll at
ease if they should be invited into
any such homes"
THAT is what | have often said.
The servant giris are in a distinct
class by themselves. They are the
least educated. the most Indifferent
10 refining influences, of all the la
boring classes"
AT the same time, Barbara began;
but Mrs. Ward was called out OF the
room by some demand Of Lewis. who
was still posing more or less as an
invalid although he was able TO be
about; and Barbara went on with her
work, conscious that the dragon was,
if anything, bigger and mercer in
some directions every Gay.
About noon the bell rang, and Bar
bara with a little frightening color
in her face went to the door.
Mr.. Morton greete' her as she
opened the door saying: Happy to
meet you again, Miss Clark. A little
pleasanter and not SO hot as last
week"
Barbara returned his greeting by
saying: Yes, sir" and took his hat,
while he walked Immediately into the
sitting-room like q familiar guest
Mrs. Ward heard MIN from upstairs.
and came down 81 once. while Bar
bara went into the kitchen.
During the meal barbara could not
avoid hearing part of the converse
ton. She mad always remembered
what her mother had often said
about servants telling everything
heard in the family talk and she had
tried since coming TO the Wards TO
train herself not 10 listen to what
was being said, especially at the table
wait at the beginning or during the
different courses.
But to-day in spite Of herself che
could not avoid hearing and knowing
a part of the general conversation.
She heard Mr.. Ward good-naturedly
asking Mr.. Morton how long he ex-
pected 10 live in a hotel at Carlton.
"Tll warrant all the young ladies in
Carlton have given him al least bar
rel of slippers already" Mr.. Ward
said, looking at his wife.
will you give me the highest mar
ket price for all the slippers | possess
so far?" Mr.. Morton asked, with
smile. Mr.. Ward was in the wholesale
boot and shoe business.
81 don't know. don't think want
to load up so heavily on slippers"
81 assure you il would not ruin YOU"
Mr.. Morton answered lightly.
81 think with Mrs. Ward, though,
that you ought 10 be getting a home
of your own" Mr.. Ward was saying
when Barbara came in with the des-
sert.
MY sister is coming up TO Carlton
10 keep house for tue IL stay there
next year: | don't mind saving that