Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-08-13
BORN TO JERDE
BY CHARLES NJ SHELDON,
Author Of I'm HIS QUESTION clAsa"
EDWARD BLAKE"
By CHARLES M. SHELDON,
phpyvseAk nm, ~ cAapsss 4. shslAoa.l

BLAKE. Etc.
casusss 4. sAslAoa,
"You said l was an Interesting
girl'" replied barbara. still laughing
at Mr.. Somers, who mopped perspira-
ton plentifufly.
well, you are; at least, so far,"
said Mr.. So.naas. looking at Barbara
doubsfully. no seemed embarrassed,
as il he did not know just what to
talk about; and Barbara, who was
perfectly self-possessed, helped him
out by asking him to tell her who
different people were.
Mr.. Somers, who evidently went
out a great deal, eagerly took advan-
tage of the opening to give Barbara
several biographical sketches.
THAT old lady over there is Mrs.
Reed. She's the richest woman in
Crawford. That young man leaning
on the piano is Judge Wallacs's son.
He's good-looking and knows - That
little thin lady in the blue dress,
talking with Mrs. Dillingham;. ia the
most interesting person In the house,
present company excepted. Her hus-
band lost every cent she had in the
topaz mines out In Arizona last year,
and shot himself at the bottom Of
one OF 'em. That's Morton, the new
preacher in Marble Square They say
he can preach people out OF the
soundest sleep known to tho Oldest
inhabitant in Crawford. He's gifted
and not bad-looking- We are said to
resemble each other. The person
right behind you is Miss Cambridge"
What were you saying about me,
Mr.. Somers?" inquired very plain
looking girl very nicely dressed, turn
ing suddenly around.
Mr.. Somers was disconnected. but
only for moment.
Il was going to soy you were the
handsomest girl in the house except
Miss Dillingham;" said Mr.. Somers,
gravely. LET me introduce Miss
Clark, Miss Cambridge"
Miss Cambridge shook hands with
Barbara, and said in q low tone: Mrs.
Vane has told me about YOU" She
seemed TO want to meet barbara, and
Mr.. Somers turned away with pleas
ant word of regret ct the Interrupt
ton; but Barbara could not avoid the
impression that he was rather re-
lieved than otherwise not to have to
flake her in to refreshments.
"Will you go with MOP" Miss Cam.
bridge asked, and Barbara gladly con-
sented. The refreshment-rooua was
filed except two seats. They went
over to them. and it was not until they
were seated that Barbara saw that
Mr.. Morton was next to her with Miss
Dillingham; beside him
you are having pleasant evening,
hope?" Mr.. Morton found time to say
while conversation languished little.
| "Yes," replied Barbara.
II hope to know something some.
time OF the results of your effort to
ennoble service" he said with earnest
ness, Barbara knew the great, kind.
brown eyes were looking straight at
her. She raised her own and looked
into his face. She wondered at her
courage as she did so. For 1t took
courage to do it.
Il don't think shall do anything
great" she said.
II think you will,"' he replied, quiet
~. II have great faith in that kind Of
LIFE"
There was no opportunity for any-
thing more, but Barbara cherished
the few words as if they were of the
utmost Importance.
After they came out Of the refresh
ment-room something separated her
from Miss Cambridge, who had not
proved as much interested as Barbara
had imagined she might be; and again
she was left to herself. For the first
time during the evening she began to
notice that she was attracting consid-
cradle attention. Standing in the COR
ner by the door of the conservatory,
she could not help hearing some one
say: "Mrs. Vane has no right to go
such lengths. 1t is the last time ac-
cept any of her invitations. The idea
of inviting hired girls to gatherings
like this It is simply an insult to all
the guests!"
But the girl seems well-behaved
/ enough" said male voice.
Very pretty, too. said another.
1T may be. hut it's no place for her.
It's an unheard-of thing for Mrs. Yane
to do. She's done some very queer
things, but this Is the worst.
81 don't know" spoke up voice
that Barbara recognized as belonging
to Mr.. Somers. "a well-behaved hired
girl is less Objectionable than a
drunken count. That's what we bad
at Newport last winter at the Lynd-
hursts'. But then, suppose he knew
his place all right"
Barbara found an opening and
moved away. The rest OF the even
ing she was conscious Of being largely
let alone. There was no coarse or vul-
gar objection to her; but very many of
Mrs. Vane's guests showed their feel
ings in way, several of them said
afterwards, SO that Mrs. Vane would
know how far she had mistaken her
own place in society.
AS the guests began to leave, Bar
bara nervously went to Mrs. vane to
say good night, and found Mp. Morton
with the Dillinghams bst saying fare
well at tho door. Mr.. Morton bowed
| grayely to Barbara as he said good
night to Mrs Vane and went out, Miss
Dillingham; taking his arm as they