Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-11-28

CHAPTER VIlI.-CoNTINUED
There was d little embarrassment at
the first greeting with the Wards, but
it soon passed off and in few mo-
ments the young minister was chat
ting delightfully."-. His happiness was
on his face and in his manner. He
had never looked so noble or so hand
some, Barbara's heart said to herself,
almost wondering whether it was all
a dream from which she would soon
be rudely awakened But it was no
dream like that. Her heart sang as
she began to realize it's reality.
20, by the way" Mr.. Ward said sud-
denly, turning to his wife, Martha,
how about that rule that we made
long ago, that the hired girl should re-
ceive her company in the kitchen?
Why did 1 go to all the expense of
furnishing that new kitchen if the girl
is going to sit here in the parlor?"
Mr.. Morton jumped to his feet, and
walked over to Barbara.
"Come, Barbara" he said, with
touch of humor that equaled the occa-
sion. "Come out into the kitchen
where we belong. This is no place for
u.s."
Barbara rose, blushing and laugh
ing.
eyes see. Just an excuse to get
rid of u.s." Mr.. Ward said, as the lovers
walked out.
eve want to live up to the rule of
the house." Mr.. Morton retorted.
They went out into the room where
Barbara had spent so many hours of
hard toll and, when they were alone,
the minister said: Dear, do you
know, this room is a sacred spot to
me? l have thought of you as being
here more than anywhere else"
eff had known that" Barbara said,
gently, and she no longer avoided the
loving brown eyes that looked down
at her, "it would have lightened good
many weary hours. l feel ashamed
now to think of the quantities of tears
have shed in this little room.''
The thought that your life has
gone out in service here, Barbara, is
a beautiful thought to me. What a
wonderful thing it is to be of use in
the world! l thank God my mother
brought me up to reverence the labor
of the hand in honest toll. There is
nothing more sacred in all of human
life"
Then they talked of their love for
each other, and were really startled
when the door suddenly opened and
Mr.. Ward called out from the entry:
''Gas and coal come high this winter.
You can draw your own inference"
They rose, laughing, and came back
into the parlor, where Mrs. Ward
apologized for Mr.. Wards Interrupt
ton.
''Don't say a word, Mrs. Ward"
Morton said, gayly. 81 shall soon have
Barbara all to myself
"How soon?"
"I don't know quite" Mr.. Morton
looked at Barbara.
"There will be mourning in this
household when she goes" Mrs. Ward
replied. 81 never expect to have an
other girl like Barbara"
I'm sorry for you, but you can't ex-
pect me to feel any sorrow for my
self"
Eyes, that's it," Mr.. Ward put in,
ironically. You preachers are al
ways talking about sacrifice, and Civ
ing up, and all that. | notice that
when it comes to a personal applica-
ton, you are just as grasping after
the best there is as anybody"
"Of course said Morton, cheerful.
ly, looking at Barbara.
'He is going to suffer for it
though" Barbara came to the rescue
of Mr.. Ward. ''He may lose his church
just as you are going to lose me-"
az don't think so," Mortar answered
calmly But if i do" He did not
finish, but his look ut Barbara spoke
volumes. 1t said that he had found
some ething which would compensate
for any earthly loss.
When Morton had gone, Barbara
slipped up to her room. Her happi
ness was too great to be talked about
The thought of what her lover, hel
slower" she repeated, had said abou'
service, about the image of hersel1
daily in that kitchen, made her trem
BILE. She had tried to accustom hersel.
to the though. of Christ's teaching
about service. Her study of the diff
ferent passages in the Bible referring
the subject. 1t had all grown sweetel
and more noble as she went on And
now that her life had been caugh
up into this other life, a newer ant
clearer revelation of labor and min
istry had come to her. Never had Bar
bara offered a truer prayer of thanks
giving than the >as that flowed ou