Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-08-16
CHAPTER VI.
A KITCHEN Is AS ROYAL AS A PAR.

SA~A>SAS 49, &AS
LOR.
As Barbara walked away from the
Wards that afternoon, she fully
thought that her social experiment
was finally over, and that she might
as well write "Finis" to the dismal
attempt she had made to solve even
a small part Of such q complex prob.
lem. But before she had covered the
short distance between the Wards
and her mothers, she experienced q
feeling of remorse that she had given
way SO nhserably to her passion in
the interview between Mrs. Ward and
herself. She even hesitated at the
corner before she started down the
street leading home as if she had
some serious intention of going back
to ask Mrs. Ward to receive her
again. But it was only moments
pause, and then she went on and en-
tered the house, where she soon told
her mother the whole story. There
were tears on Barbara's cheeks when
she finished.
II seem to be total failure in every
way, mother. ! haven't even learned
grace to control my tongue"
nNeither has Mrs. Ward, from what
you say" replied her mother, with
more spirit than was usual for her, st
seems to me she is the one who is most
to blame. In fact, Barbara, don't see
how you could have done differently,
She compelled you to leave"
20, don't know about that, mother,
II I had not got angry-but it's all
over now, anyway. There is no use for
me to try any more" and Barbara
broke down completely, crying hard,
Her mother wisely let her have her
cry out, and then said: ~ can't help
feeling glad 1t has all turned out as it
has. You know have never approved
Of your going out to service. You SIM
ply throw yourself away"
II don'tknow," Barbara replied, sad
ly. Somehow I cannot help feeling,
mother, that have failed to do what
I ought to do and that the regret over
1t will stay with me all my life. be-
gan with high purpose to accomplish
something, and have failed utterly"
"You have at least tried your best"
mo, mother, don't think I have.
ought to have expected just such
things as those that happened to-day.
But it's too late to do anything now"
she added, with sigh. "The question
Is: What am to dor I expect it
means going into Bondman's until !
can get school,"
Her mother tried to comfort her, but
Barbara was more depressed over the
situation than she had ever been in all
her life. She had met her dragon, and
had been completely routed. And she
had even at one time thought con-
temptuously of the dragon! But, as
she went to her room that night, she
felt with great humiliation that the
dragon had won and she would never
again have the courage to look him in
the face.
The next day she sent over for her
trunk; and, when the expressman
brought it, he handed her note that
had been given him by Mrs; Ward.
Barbara opened it in some excite.
ment, thinking it might be request
| to come back. But 1t was a scrawl from
Carl, who had at different times been
| encouraged by Barbara to print real
letters to his father and brothers;
| Dear Barbara: an, very sorry YOU
have gone. Won't sou come back? I dc
| Aot feel very well to-day. My head aches
| r you Will, come back ! will be good te
| you Your loving
CARL"
When she had read this note, which