Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-08-30


social settlement. Gradually Bar
bara recovered herself frsm tho first
moments panic She came out from
behind the defense of tho lamp. and
began to ask questions and take part
in the conversation.
"But STILL" she was saying after
half an hours talk had been going
on, II do not quite see how you are
going to interest Crawford people in
the plan you suggest until you have
made a practical beginning, even il it
is on a small scale. The people arc
very conservative"
That's true" The minister sighed
a little. "But l do not see how Won
are going to interest the public in
your servant girls training school un-
til you have demonstrated it's prac-
tical usefulness. 1 don't doubt its
wisdom, of course" he added, quick
ly. but it must require good deal
of courage on your part to make be-
ginning in view of what you know
must be the criticism and prejudice
that are inevitable"
''As far as courage goes" said Bar
bara,. frankly, "it seems to me you
have much more than I. With the
money Mrs. Ward and Mrs. Vane have
promised me, shall be quite indie.
pendent to work out my plan as I
please. Whereas you are obliged to
overcome the prejudice of whole
church full of people. many Of whom
do not believe in social settlement
work connected with the church."
II wish there was some way" Mr..
Morton exclaimed, eagerly. absorbed
in thought of his plans. 'in which we
could combine your plans and mine.
The training school would fit in so
beautifully with my ideas"
He spoke in his enthusiasm, for tho
moment, thinking only Of the plans
as existing apart from the persons.
But, as Barbara lifted her face to his
and then dropped her eyes. while q
great wave of color swept her cheeks,
he realized how personal his excla-
nation had been.
And just at that juncture, Mrs. Clark,
without word of apology or explana-
ton, rose and walked out of the room.
Morton blessed her as she shut the
door. There are some things in the
love chapter of youth that cannot be
told except to tho heart of youth it.
self,
He went quickly over to where Bar,
bara was seated on the other side OF
the table. and before she had time to
be frightened he said. looking at her
with loves look: Barbara, I love
you, and want you to be my wife and
share all with me. VIII you?"
Barbara sat all in tumult, her
heart beating fast, as in dream woA-
dering at 1t all. And it sounded very
sweet to her. For she loved him truly.
But she said. as she stood by tho table
looking at him: "But-I-cannot. It
would be-"
Tell me. Barbara" he said, sud-
den smile lighting up his pale face,
and his use of her name was again
music to her. tell me only one thing
first. Do you love me2"
"Yes!" she cried, and 1t seemed to
her as II one person in her had spoken
TO another. compelling the answer;
and the next moment, She could not
realize how, but it was like worlds
life to her, his arms were about her,
and In that moment she knew that
for better, for worse, she had put her
life into the lot of sharing with his.
Lovers do not count time like other
people. After awhile he was saying:
''But tell me, Barbara, how l am to
make my peace with Mrs. Ward. For,
when she learns that am going t % get
her hired girl, she will never forgive
me-"
Then Barbaras face grew grave.
DO you realize, Mr.. Morton, what
you have done? Can a young man
with your position and prospects af-
ord-to-to-marry hired girl"
Yes so Soon! l might have saved
you from making the mistake of your
life
Barbara" he answered, with sud-
den sternness that was assumed,
without answering her question, "if
you ever call me Mr.. Morton again,
shall" he left his threat unfinished
but he had possession of her hand as
he spoke, and Barbara looked up at
him and said softly: "What shall
call you?"
Say"
Yes. Whata" Barbara asked, limo
Gently, as he paused.
We'll, then" he went on. joyously,
"say: Ralph, love you more than
anyone else in the world. And will
walk with you through life because
love you-because we love each 9TH
err"
You have taken advantage of mel"
she exclaimed, brightly, and then,
with glowing face looking into his,
she repeated the words, whispering
them. And, when she had finished,
they We're both reyerently silent,
while her eyes We're wet with tears
of solemn JOY. They did not either of
them realize all they had pledged to
each other; but the God-given, HUI
man-divine spell of love was upon
them, and the blcssedness of it swal-
lowed up all fears of the future. Once
barbara had given herself to him, it
meant an end of doubt or fear. She
might discuss with him the probable
results to his social or professional
standing, but she would never torture
his mind or distress her own by vain
regrets or foolish anticipations. The
great truth of their love for each other
I filled them both.
They We're so absorbed in their talk
that they did not hear Mrs. Clark