Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-11-08

ARement she could think of while she
busted herself with the necessary de-
tails of the kitchen work.
In the afternoon she went over to
her mothers and told her what her
decision was. Mrs. Clark sadly con-
scented, and did not make so strong
an objection as Barbara had feared.
So the little trunk was carried again
10 the old room, and Barbara real
lied that her career had received
new beginning in some sense, she
hardly knew how. One thing she felt
very strongly, however. And that was
that under the stress of need at the
Wards she was doing exactly the
right thing in going back 20 her life
of service there. Whatever the days
might have for her of opportunity
in the future for large service in the
greater problem, it was to her mind
very clear that her immediate duty
lay within the circle of this one fam
fly that needed her.
She realized this more and more
strongly as the next few days
brought to her and the family new
and sad experience. AS Carrs con-
dition grew worse, she spent more
and more of her time with him. Mrs.
Ward secured good nurse, but Carl
cried in his delirium for Barbara, and
she sat with him many hours of every
day. She was with him when the
end came which they had all come to
know was inevitable. 1t will always
be one of the comforting thoughts Of
Barbara's life that she won and held
the love of this child. All that came
to her long after. But, as this little
life slowly breathed itself out in
the early gray of that morning, with
the weeping father and mother and
the two boys as they gathered
around the bed, she felt a tender
sympa by for them all as if she, too,
had been one of the members of the
family. Carl had insisted to the very
last on clinging TO his mother and to
Barbara. Each woman held a hand
as the child's soul won't out of the
frail body to God who gave it.
Mr.. Morton, who had been a fire.
quent visitor at the house during the
trouble that had come upon it, was
sitting by Mr.. Ward that morning.
When the end finally came, he
kneeled down by Mr.. Wards side,
and Barbara was conscious that tho
minister's strong, right hand was laid
in compassion on the bereaved IA
fher's hand as he prayed for conso-
lation.
20 our Father" he cried. and his
voice brought relief even in that
moment of sharp sorrow to the fam
Fly, "mercifully reveal to US the hap
piness of the soul Thou hast Just
caught pinto Thy bosom. We knowhe
is safe in Thy arms. Comfort us with
che comfort which earth does not
have to give; take us also into the
embrace of love which gave an only
hegotten Son for a dying and mourn
ing world. The God Of comfort bless
this household. In the name of Christ,
Amen"
Two days later, after the funeral
service. At which Mr.. Morton vas
present as pastor and friend. Mrs.
Ward broke down completely and
went 60 bed, leaving the care of the
house and the family upon Barbara.
The girl bore up under the respon-
sibility bravely. She was conscious
of the fact that she was necessary to
the comfort of home. The bends
Of her service rested lightly on her.
because she knew she was Of use in
the Kingdom of God.
The relation between Mrs. Ward and
Barbara during those days Of grief
became very close and affectionate.
Through all the older woman's nerv-
Gus and even irritable illness Barbara
nursed and attended her with adj
mirable patience, giving her the best
possible care and trying to relieve
her of every possible anxiety as to
the affairs of the house itself.
You have been like a daughter to
me, Barbara" Mrs. Ward said to her
one day three weeks after CarFs
death. II do not know what would
have become of us if you had not
come back" Barbara was arranging
her pillow; and, as she stopped down
over her, Mrs. Ward put an arm
about Barbara's neck, drew her down,
and kissed her. When Barbara raised
hcA INC SHOne on ner
face.
Service has been very sweet to me,
Mrs. Ward, since i returned. / have
liked to believe that i have been
needed"
you have been a wonderful COM
fort TO us. You are like one of the
family since Carl's leaving us. We
shall never forget how he loved you"
ut will always be a very tender
memory to me-" Barbara replied, and
the tears of the two women flowed to-
gether, tears that brought comfort TO
them and at the same time united
their sympathy for each other.
That evening, when Mr.. Ward came
up after his supper with Lewis (for
Alfred had gone back to college), Mrs.
Ward said, after expressing her
thanks that she was recovering
strength rapidly: Richard, we owe
Barbara a great deal for all she has
done for us in our trouble Isn't
fbara eometbinU we can do IN botu