Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-08-09

idSSSu tS Slle answered. Iulelly. l.
am 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
IDENTIFY did not quite understand it.
"The-the hired girl?"
Eyes. I do the homework there.
Everything from the marketing to
the dish-washing. assure you 1 have
an occupation all day long"
Miss Clark is good cook" Mr..
Morton spoke up as Miss Dillingham;
stared at Barbara. 81 can speak from
experience, for l 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 homework are
very interesting. It's not all drudg-
cry" 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
a little surprised at your occupation,
Miss CLARKE" Mr.. Morton asked, look
ing at Barbara intently.
II think so. Nearly every one is.
Aren't your" 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.
Eyes, am" he answered frankly.
"of course, you are educated and
refned-and could be-school-tea
er or-or-a photographer" he add
ed with smile that somehow re-
lieved both of them. Instead of that
you choose to be house servant.
have often wondered why"
Barbara colored. How soften" 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 little
afraid of them.
II had to do something. There
was no school for me, and the stores
did not offer any opportunity for a
living. I chose the work of a servant
because it seemed to me 1 could at
the same time make living and do
something for the girls who work
out, because I was one of them,"
And can you, do you think?" he
asked, with great interest. But lust
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"
Mr.. Morton turned from Barbara
With 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 introduse Miss
Clark" He presented Barbara to the
company, End she said few words
II reply to a word about the evening
or the weather volunteered by ono
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 Barbara awkward
" 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
Miss Dillingham; introduced her
mother, stood listening Few mo-
ments and then went away. When
Barbara saw her again she was again
talking animatedly with Mr.. Morton.
Once they looked over toward her,
and Barbara was certain she was the
subject of their talk. Evidently Miss
Dillingham; was making inquiries
about her.
my daughter has been telling me
that your mother was Dillingham;"
Barbara nodded.
I'VE feel proud of the Dillinghams,"
the old lady said, emphatically. Its
an old family with record. Your
mother was related to the Washing
ton county branch
Barbara told her, adding little
proudly: Mother is first cousin to
the Radcliffs." The minute she said
IT she wished she hadn't: a. 1900
like an obvious atA- ~ iooa
I -.any. Mrs. Dillingham; re-
garded Barbara with added respect
"The Howard Raacliffs ?"
eyes. The governor is mothers
nephew"
Gov. Radcliffe"
EYES," Barbara answered.
She was yexed with herself now for