Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-09-06

piece of pie crust for Carl. When she
had finished IL and had put IL in plat
ter, as she was turning with IL toward
the stove, she was amazed TO see Mrs.
Ward standing in front of her. She
had risen suddenly and had come over
near Barbara.
What you have said is too true-a
great deal Of il, most of il; and yet,
Barbara, il you only knew how much
need just such help as yours in my
home you would not leave me. Isn't
together? have not been TO you wha:
one woman ought 10 be 20 another. /
have been nervous and faultfinding
and-and-you have not said anything
about that, l know; but, il you will
stay, Barbara, we will try 10 study the
thing out better-we will help one an
other. That is not exactly what
mean, but we will understand each 9TH
er better after this talk, and perhaps
we can be more just, and study how
TO better matters"
Barbara stood during this uneXpect-
ed appeal trembling with a conflicting
set of emotions. In the midst Of it all
she could feel a return of something
Of the old feeling of heroism in service
that had prompted her TO answer the
advertisement in the first place, and
her pulses leaped up again at the
thought of help from this woman TO
solve the servant question and work
with her toward common end. What
could she do alone? Only four weeks
OF trial, and she had despaired of serv-
ice. Already in the swift reaction from
her despair Mrs. Wards words pro-
duced great revulsion In her feelings.
Surely all things were possible If both
the woman of the house and the serv-
ant studied the question together.
And her grievances. They were there
still, and still real But they were not
without compensation if what Mrs.
Ward said was going TO mean a new
start all around.
Still, as she faced Mrs. Ward with a
troubled heart, she hesitated, going
over again the trials of the four weeks,
the hot, insufficient little room, the
long and irregular hours. the separa
ton from people, even from the very
people in the house where she was
serving; the daily drudgery, the hope
lessness of any future-it all came up
again TO dash an enthusiasm that had
apparently been killed out of her at
the first attempt 10 turn practical
things into heroic things. And let us
say for Barbara what was a very true
part of her true self; she had so great
horror of doing anything from inn
pulse alone that a part of her hesita
ton now arose not from her doubts
concerning Mrs. Wards sincerity, but
from her own fear of changing her
mind, of seeming TO act from pity for
Mrs. Ward rather than from n genuine
conviction that she had not been heroic
enough 10 test her service long enough
10 prove something besides few griev-
ances. She was smitten even while
Mrs. Ward was speaking. 10 think that
she had not endured all the hardships
Of service 10 the limit of service.
"Of course. don't know how we are
going 10 arrange all the things that
are wrong. but | have gone over all the
ground you have emphasized this
morning more times than perhaps you
imagine" Mrs. Ward continued. and
Barbara, perhaps for the first time,
gave Mrs. Ward credit for many things
she had hitherto denies her. my
wretched health. and cares and trou-
bic with servants who have had no am
billions and no abilities such as YOU
have. | think have all helped 10 make
me seem Indifferent and thoughtless.
But ! need you. Barbara. Really. I
cannot bear the thought Of being with
out help. You cannot realize what
these last four weeks have meant TO
me in the burden lifted. You do not
understand how capable you are in
management. I ought 10 have let YOU
know it. ] am sure ! have felt il deeper
every day"
"You are fattering me now" said
Barbara, smiling a little.
mo, only the truth as IL ought 10
have been told you. Ny sickness. the
children, my cares, Mr.. Wards bust
ness complications. some of which have
been serious the last ten DAYS. have all
conspired 10 make me careless of YOU;
but even my carelessness has been a
sign of my confidence in you. Don't
leave us now, Barbara. We need you
more than YOU can realize"
What Barbara Clark! Here has
been trouble in this home. and trouble
Of a serious nature. and you have lived
in your own troubles. absorbing all
thought about yourself. She began TO
be ashamed She turned towards Mrs.
Ward.
II don't want to seem 10 act on Just
my feelings alone. Let me go home to-
night and think il out"
Mrs. Ward looked at her wistfully,
and again tears came into the older
woman's eyes.
IL am asking a great deal of you.
Maybe | am promising a good deal for
myself, too, if you decide to go on
with us"
you mean?" Barbara began, and
then stopped.
IL mean that, if you will keep on as
you have begun, am willing to help
make Vour Mace different i'm many