The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1901-10-25
us as I have said before"

us, as / have said before"
She swept out of the vestibule
grandly, holding her head little high
er than usual, land Barbara blessed the
nobility in her that was unspoiled by
all her riches and social rank. Prob
ably nothing that occurred that morn
ing made a deeper impression social
ly. The old lady had not said word
about the engagement. She had too
much delicacy and good taste. But it
was just as plain as if she had well
coined Barbara as her minister's wife
that she accepted the situation with
out thought of remonstrance and
was prepared to act Loyalty towards
Mr.. Morton, respecting his choice and
even ready to defend it before any and
all of her influential acquaintances.
Miss Dillingham; was ut the other
end OF the vestibule while her mother
was talking to Barbara. She did not
approach Barbara, and, so far as could
be seen, did not even look at her dur
ing the service. Her proud, handsome
face was directed, however, with q
fixed and painful gaze upon the
preacher through all the service. If
at the close Alice Dillingham; calmly
shut the door of her own heart over
its dream of romance in which the tai
ented preacherA of Marble Square
had begun to be adored, it may be that
Barbara fully understood it; and in
avoidance of her by the one who had
lost what Barbara had gained, Bar
bara saw no cause for personal ill will.
When the heart aches, there are times
when it must ache alone, and riches
and beauty are no security and no
comfort.
The weeks that followed this event.
full Sunday were crowded with Incl
dents and meaning for Barbara. She
remained nearly month with Mrs.
Ward, until help had been secured,
and then with mutual sorrow the
women parted, Barbara going home to
make preparation, with her mothers
help, for her marriage.
eff you aren't suited with the situa-
ton you've found, you can come back
to us any time," Mr.. Ward said, as his
wife kissed Barbara and made no at
tempt to hide her sorrow plainly
shown by the tears on her face.
"Thank you," responded Barbara,
laughing through her tears, for it
was real grief for her to go; 81 am
afraid | shall never come back. But,
if you will come and see us, I will
promise to bake some of your favor
lite dishes for you"
She waved her hand to them as
they both came to the door and babe
her an affectionate farewell and
soon turned the corner, with a grave
consciousness that one very impor-
tant chapter in her life had come to q
close and new one had begun.
Three months after. Barbara was
married at her mothers home. The
few friends who had been faithful to
her during the days of her service
were present, the Wards, Mr.. and
Mrs. Vane, and Mrs. Dillingham;, to-
gether with three of the girls from
the stores whose friendship for Bar
bara had daily grown in meaning. A
seminary classmate of Morton's
spoke the words of the service in
which God joined these two eager,
earnest Christian souls in one, and
they twain became one flesh, and an
other home was added to those that
already on the earth are the best
witness to the possibilities of Heaven
among men.
Five years after this Barbara and
her husband were standing together
one evening in the dining-room OF
the parsonage of Marble Square
church, evidently awaiting some
guests.
Ralph Morton was nodding approv-
al of some little detail of the table
furnishing, and Barbara was sayings:
$50 lovely to have the old friends
with us tonight, isn't it, Ralph"
Indeed it is. Although I could be
satisfied with present company" the
minister answered, gallantly. He was
still the lover as well as husband.
That's selfish" Barbara smiled as
she came around to his side of the
table and stood there with his arm
about her, the love light in her eyes
as strong. as ever. j
ITO RE CONTINITED1