Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-08-30
face. he turned to Barbara, who had


what did you say, Barbara?" Mrs.
Clark asked as she faced them both,
thinking to herself that she had never
seen SO much real Joy in two faces
anywhere in the world.
"Oh, motherl" Barbara cried, ST
have given him my answer" She laid
her head on her mothers breast as
she used to do when she was little
girl, and Mrs. Clark felt with the pain
full JOY of good mothers heart that
the worlds old story had come into
her daughters life. and that hence
forth this man had become to Bar
hara all IN all without displacing the
mother from her rightful share OF af-
lection.
They had many things to say now,
and neither Barbara nor Mrs. Clark
offered serious objections to the earn
est request of the young man that the
period of engagement might be brief
one.
I'VE know our minds quite well, 1
am sure" he said, while Barbara,
blushing. nodded yes. ut will be best
in every way for us to begin our home
very soon. Barbara, you will have to
give Mrs. Ward notice that you must
leave. Poor Mrs. Ward! She is the
only person am sorry for right now!"
They were all silent for a moment,
Then Mr.. Morton said: cheeseman's
training-school will have to be part
of the social settlement now. You've
lost your independence"
"Ive gained something BETTER" said
Barbara, gently. Her love knew no re-
strictions, now that it was returned,
and her heart leaped up to his in all his
ambitions for helping to make better
| world.
When he rose to go, Barbara went
to the door with him. He had opened
1t and was about to step out when he
turned and said, with a laugh: ~ have
forgotten my hat"
The missing hat was not found at
once, and Mrs. Clark unblushingly
said: Perhaps it is in the sitting
room," and walked deliberately out
there.
The hat was lying on chair behind
the table. The minister took it up and
walked to the door again. Then he
turned and said, while Barbara looked
up at him: II forgot something else"
Then he stopped and kissed her, and
went out into the night, and it was
like the glory of Heavens brightness
all about him, while Barbara turned
and again met her mother with an em.
brace where both mingled their tears
over the divine romance of this earth
ly life. God bless the repetition of the
pure love chapter in human hearts.
When it is deeply Christian, as in the
case of Barbara and Ralph, it is APP
proved of Christ and has the sanction
OF all Heaven.
When Barbara began her work at
the Wards next day, she had natural
dread of breaking the news to Mrs.
Ward, But that lady unconsciously
made q good opportunity. She came
Into the kitchen early in the forenoon
and was struck by Barbara's beauty.
She had noted it many times before,
but this morning the girls great love
experience had given her face an addi-
ttonal charm. 1t is no wonder Ralph
Morton fell In love with her. He said
1t all began from that Sunday when he
hrst met her at the Marble Square
church.
"Why. Barbara" Mrs. Ward ex-
claimed, you look perfectly charming
this morning. How do you manage to
keep looking SO lovely? 1t is a wonder
TO me that the kitchen is not full Of
heaus all the time!"
barbara laughed lightly. ~ don't
want kitchen full of beaus. One is
enough"
Mrs Ward looked at her attentively.
Then she said. somewhat gravely:
Did yousay oneis enough? What does
that mean?"
1T means-O Mrs. Ward, l am so
happy!" She turned to her, and the
Older woman trembled little and then
said: ut is Mr.. Morton?"
Eyes" cried Barbara, and Mrs. Ward
put her arms about her and kissed her.
Then she stepped back and looked at
her somewhat sorrowfully.
I'm glad for you, of course, but
what are we going to do? It's always
the way. The best girls have always
go and get married. But I never
thought until lately that you would do
such thing. Why, it's like story,
Barbara. If it was ina book, people
would think it was quite improbable.
The IDEAL they would say, of the
brilliant preacher of Marble Square
church, Crawford, the gifted young
writer and lecturer, marrying hired
girl In his own parish!' Have you
thought, Barbara, of the ton this
event will make in Marble Square
| church,"
"Of course have not had much time
yet to think of it, Mrs. Ward. If Mr..
Morton, Ralph" she added, shyly,
FLUSHING at her own use of the name
before another person, off he feels sat
isfied, the church ought not to give any
trouble, Why should it? Doyou think
1t will?"
you're a hired girl in the eyes of
most people in the church. They do
not know you as I do. / am afraid it
will make trouble for Mr.. Morton"
For moment Barbara's radiant
face showed signs of anxiety. Then,
to Mrs. Wards astonishment, she said,
with smile: II am not going to bor-
row trouble over 1t. I love him too
much to be afraid of anything"
IF only people knew you as
Mr.. Ward and l do" Mrs. Ward fall
tered, tears in her eyes,caused by af-
fiction for Barbara and sorrow at the
thought of losing her out of the home.