The Iola register., 1901-10-11

| to be compared with a discovery she
made as to Alfred's habits, and it was
matter of regret to her afterward
that she did not inform Mrs. Ward of
it. 1t was the fact that several times
she felt certain the young man had
been drinking. She had never known
him to be intoxicated; but she was
sure he had more than once been
dangerously near it, and it was
matter of surprise to her that Mr..
and Mrs. Ward seemed so indifferent
to IL.
"Oh dearl" Barbara sighed, as she
went the rounds Of her daily task,
carrying this added burden of knowl-
edge. us there no family without its
skeleton7 Ought to drag II out for
their inspection, II they don't know
Of its existence7 It hardly seems to
be my business. And they must be
blind not to have noticed as much as
has been apparent even to servant"
II was q week after Alfred's de-
pArture that Mr.. Ward announced the
news Of Mr.. Morton's acceptance Of
his call to Marble Square church. 10
was in the evening after the supper
work was all done; and Barbara, as
her custom had been for several days
during the remedeling of her room.
was seated with the family in the
dining-room, which was also the
favorite Nving-room, helping Mrs.
Ward on some sewing. Lewis and
George were reading, and Carl was
playing on the floor near Barbara.
"I have Morton's letter of accept
ance, Martha. AS chairman of the
supply committee IL came to me to-
day. IL Ia good thing for Marble
Square church. The people had sense
enough to call him without going
through a long course of candidat-
ing"
when is he coming?" Mrs. Ward
asked.
1.-TWO weeks from next Sunday. The
church at Carlton released him under
special conditions, because they could
get a man at once to fill his place.
We're fortunate TO get man like
Morton. He has a future"
Barbara made me a gingerbread
man once; and we called it Mr.. Nor
ton, didn't we, Barbara" Carl spoke
up suddenly, after an absorbed silence
during which he was apparently not
listening to a syllable that was being
said.
"Where is Mr. Morton going to
stay?" Mrs. Ward asked.
81 don't know yet. | wrote him
that we would be delighted to take
him in here, but we didn't have the
room"
"And l told Barbara" Carl broke
in as If nothing had been said since
he spoke last, that | thought the
gingerbread man looked just like Mr..
Morton, and she said she thought it
didn't. I wish Mr.. Morton would
come here to i've, don't you, Barbara ?
Wouldn't that be fine?"
Barbara did not answer, and Carl
got up off the floor, and went over to
her and pulled her work out of her
hands.
Carl! Carl! You mustn't do
thatl" his mother exclaimed.
Say, Barbara, don't your" Carl
persisted.
Don't ask 30 many questions" re-
piled Rarhara, almost sharply.
81 haven't asked many" Carl poat-
ed; but he went back to his game on
the AeSr, wondering in his chiidhood
miRd what made the ususlly gentle
Barbara so cross.
II think the Brays can take him In.
hope they can. les so near by that
wo oAa have ham with us often. Wen
be right on his way to church aud
back" Mr. Ward remarked as he see-
tied himself to the reading of the
evening paper.
While her room was in process Of
recons truction, Bar bara had been 60
ing home to stay with her mother
Mrs. Clark was only partly receaciled
to BarbaEa's choice of q career; and
when, tails particular night, after the
news Of Mr. Morton's corning. Bar
bara arrived quite early (having ex
cused herself soon on the plea of be
ing very tired). Mrs. Clark noted the
signs of trouble in Barbara's face
and instantly questioned her about II
Your work Is too hard, too con
fining, my dear. II is not at all the
work for such a girl as you are, Bar
bara. 1t will xiii YOU"
mo, mother, / don't think it will,
Barbara replied, bravely.
But don't see what good it is do
ing to anyone. You are just shaving
yourself to death like any ordinary
servant. Your talents as a teacher
are wasted Your social position il
gone. You have buried yourself in G
kitchen. OF what use is it? You
might he in the word like other peo
pie, with some opportunities to rise
and make the most of yourself
whereas now you are shut out from
all the ordinary social ambitions ant
accomplishments of other girls"
Mother, don't, please" cried Bar
bsra, and then to her mothers sur
prise she suddenly broke down ant
began to cry softly.
''Therel l told you sol You arr
all worn out!" said her mother, com
ing TO her and putting a loving arm
about her.
mo, mother, am not very tired ii
bDdy. I'm inst liftla hiA dincnur