Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-10-10
BORN TO SERVE
By Charles NJ. Sheldon,
Author of "IN HIS STEPS, " "JoHN KINGS
QUESTION CLASS, " EDWARD
BLAKE, - Etc.
CHAPTER V.-CoNTNUED.
(Copyright, 1860, by Charles NJ. sheldon.)

at all" said Barbara, looking straight
into Miss Dillingham's face. 81 have
60 work for my living"
mo? Do you?" the young woman
asked eagerly. ut must be very in
teresting. Tell me what you do?"
There was not a particle of vulgar
curiosity in the tone or manner, and
Barbara did not feel at all embar-
rassed as she answered quietly: II
am a servant in Mrs. Wards house.
The hired girl some people call
me"
Miss Dillingham; had leaned eager
ly toward Barbara in anticipation of
her reply. When it came, she evil
IDENTITY did not quite understand it.
"The-the hired grip"
"Yes. l do the housework there.
Everything from the marketing to
the dish-washng. L assure you have
an occupa tion all day long,
Miss Clark is a good cook" Mr..
Morton spoke up as Miss Dillingham;
stared at Barbara. II can speak from
experience, for | have dined at the
Wards" He smiled frankly and in
perfect ease at Barbara, and she was
grateful to him.
ut must be very-very-hard and
disagreeable work." Miss Dillingham;
stammered, still looking hard at Bar
bara.
"Some of it is," replied Barbara.
''But some parts of housework are
very interesting. It's not all drudg-
ery," she added, looking bravely at
Mr.. Morton, although she was talking
to Miss Dillingham;.
just then some new guests came
down the stairs, and the three were
pushed into the sitting-room. Miss
Dillingham; took advantage of the
movement to excuse herself, and left
Barbara and Mr.. Morton together
for few moments.
"Do you think Miss Dillingham; was
little surprised at your occupation,
Miss Clarke" Mr.. Morton asked, look
ing at Barbara intently.
81 think so. Nearly every one is.
Aren't you?" Barbara had not meant
to be SO blunt. The question was
uttered before she was aware, and
then she stood more confused than
at any time during the evening.
"Yes, l am" he answered frankly
"Of course, you are educated and
refned-and could be-school-teach-
er or-or-a photographer" he add
ed with a smile that somehow re-
lieved both of them. "Instead of that
you choose to be a house servant. |
have often wondered why"
Barbara colored. How "often" had
he wondered? But she looked up at
him and then looked down again. His
eyes were very large brown eyes, full
of thought, and Barbara was a little
afraid of them.
"I had to do something. There
was no school for me, and the stores
did not offer any opportunity for a
living. / chose the work of servant
because it seemed to me l could at
the same time make n living and do
something for the girls who work
out, because / was one of them"
"And can you, do you think?" he
asked, with great interest. But just
then, to his evident annoyance, one
of those persons who believe in keep
ing people moving on such occasions,
broke in with: "Ah, Morton, so de-
lighted to see you. A dozen people
right here want to meet you. Mrs.
Jones, Miss wainwright, Miss Wallace
Mr.. Norton
MFR. Morton turned from Barbara
with a parting look and smile that
she thought she had right to re-
member all the evening, and met the
persons his friend had mentioned.
Permit me to introduce Miss
Clark" He presented Barbara to the
company, and she said a few words
in reply to word about the evening
or the weather volunteered by one
of the ladies. Then they directed all
their remarks to Mr.. Morton; and,
there being no men in the little
group, gradually she found herself
outside the talk; and, as the COM
pany crowded together more in the
room, she was separated from the
rest and found herself alone, with
no one to talk to. Mrs. Vane was
in the parlor, and arbara awkward
ly stood by herself until the pushing
of people gradually moved her up to
table where she was glad to find
some views to look at
She was turning them over and
thinking of what Mr.. Morton had
said, when Miss Dillingham; came up
again with an elderly lady dressed in
great elegance like the younger
woman.
"Mother wants to meet You, Miss
Clark. She wants to talk over the
Dillinghams."
Miss Dillingham; introduced her