Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-09-03
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BORN TO IERDE
BY CHARLES NJ SHELDON
Author Of TIN STEPS," KINGS QUESTION GLASS;.
EDWARD BLAKE"
BY CHARLES N. 5


AArlss 4 sheldon,
have tried to minister TO the needs
Of this housed Surely ct Its very
worst I have not endured the hard
ships that Paul speaks Of. I know
he is speaking of preachers. probably,
of missionaries of the cross. But l
am sure he means that anyone who
ministers TO the real needs of life
is minister of God And. II I have
really been minister Of God, how
little have realized its meaning!"
Help me, my Father" Barbara
breathed her prayer, help me In the
thankfulness for the great joy Of my
life to live as servant of Thine.
Through all these possible hsrdships
may / learn to keep close to Thee.
Help me to bless other lives and give
them encouragement and q true
thought of ministry. II 10 all 80
wonderful, my Fatherl Thou hast
led me in ways SO unforeseen by my
poor selfishness. It is all too won-
derful to me. Oh Thou Great but low
ing God, thank Thee. In the name
of Him who has redeemed me.
Amen"
It was the next day that Barbara
had call from Mrs. Vane.
The old lady had met Mr.. Morton;
and, reading his happiness In his
whole person. she asked him bluntly
to tell her all about It.
my DEAR" she cried as she kissed
Barbara on both cheeks and shed a
tear out of her sharp eyes, softened
by her love for Barbara, II congratu-.
late you both! 1t Is wonderful, but
I knew all the time that he loved you
and would have you and 1 knew that
you would give yourself to him. It
is all as It should be. The Marble
Square church is a great institution,
but it is not so great as love. I want
you to be married at my house. Nor
ton Is one of my boys. knew him
as child, and love him - . SON."
II don't think mother would allow
me to go away from her, even to
you," Barbara answered, smiling and
blushing until she looked like a pic
ture, Mrs. Vane and Mrs. Ward both
thought as they stood looking at her.
1--WE have arranged to be married at
mothers"
That's best; yes, that's best!"
The old lady nodded approvingly.
mo church display, no show, no
cheap or vulgar Haunting of self on
the occasion of the most sacred ex-
perience in girls life. l always said
Ralph Morton deserved the best
woman on earth for wife and he's
getting her. The good God bless you
both!" And the impulsive old lady
kissed Barbara again; and, when Bar
bara went back to her work she re-
NAMED some time with Mrs. Ward,
talking over the great event; for IL
was truly great to Barbara and Nor
ton and his friends, and indeed to all
Marble Square parish.
For, when the news Of the minis
ter's engagement became known in
Crawford, as it did in very short
time, because he made no secret of it,
there was CONSERVATION in Marble
Square church and in society gener-
ally.
us it true?" Mrs. Rice solemnly
asked Mrs. Wilson the first time they
met after the news became known,
"is 1t really true that Mr.. Morton Is
going to marry Mrs. Wards hired
girl? 1t is simply awful. 1t cannot
be-"
'I'm afraid it is" Mrs. Wilson an
swered, clasping her hands with .
tragic gesture as If some terrible ca
lamity had taken place. 81 had the
Information direct from Mrs. vane,
who had it direct from Mr.. Morton
himself"
1T will break up Marble Square
church, that is ALI" Mrs. Rice said,
decidedly. ga thing like that is too
serious social departure for even
Mr.. Morton to make. AS much as
people like and admire him, not even
his great talents can excuse such o
great social blunder."
"They say" Mrs. Wilson suggested
in hesitating manner, that the girl
is really well educated, and not just
an ordinary hired girl. You know
Mrs. Ward has told us something
about her going out to service in or
der to help other girls realize its dig
nifty and-and so forth"
sit makes no difference!" Mrs. Rice
replied sharply. "she is known as .
hired girl. The idea of being obliged
to look up to her as our minister's
wife! Will you submit to that2"
"Supposing she proves worthy OF
her placer Mrs. Wilson suggested,
feebly.
tits out of the question:" Mrs.
Rice answered, positively. "The
whole thing is awfully unfortunate
for Marble Square. If Mr.. Morton
had only chosen some girl of good
social rank, Miss Dillingham;, for ex-
ample. But, as it is, for one"
Mrs. Rice did not finish what
seemed like threat. but scores of
other women in Marble Square felt
and spoke just as she did, and the
outlook for great disturbance In
the parish was very good.
When Sunday came, Barbara pre-
pared to attend service. She had not
been for several Sundays. not since
the time of the scene at the Endeav-
or society. Mrs. Ward wondered at
her lack of nervousness. There was
a self-possession about Barbara, now
that she had committed her future
to the young minister, that Mrs.
Ward admired. She began to have
real respect for her in addition to
her affection,
When Barbara went down the aisle
with the family and entered the Ward