Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-11-01
CHAPTER VI.
A KITCHEN IS AS ROYAL A A PAR

thought that her social experiment
was finally over. and that she might
a. well write "FInis" TO the dismal
attempt she had made to solve even
. small part Of such q complex prob
lem. But before she had covered tho
short distance between the Wards
and her mothers, she experienced .
feeling Of remorse that she had given
way so misersbly 70 her passion in
the interview between Mrs. Ward and
herself She even hesitated at the
corner before she started down the
street leading home as il she had
90 ask Mrs. Ward 10 receive her
again. But il was only a moments
pause. and then she went on and en-
tered the house, where she soon told
her mother the whole story. There
were tears on Barbara's cheeks when
she finished.
81 seem to be total failure in every
way, mother. ] haven't even learned
grace to control my tongue"
Neither has Mrs. Ward, from what
you say" replied her mother, with
more spirit than was usual for her. ut
seems TO me she is the one who is most
TO blame. In fact, Barbara, don't see
how you could have done differently.
She compelled you TO leave"
80, don't know about that. mother.
II l had not got angry-but it's all
over now. anyway. There is no use for
me to try any more" and Barbara
broke down completely. crying hard.
Her mother wisely let her have her
cry out, and then said: IL can't help
feeling glad it has all turned out as it
has. You know have never approved
of your going out to service. You SIM
ply throw yourself away"
81 don't know" Barbara replied. sad
ly. Somehow cannot help feeling,
mother, that | have failed to do what
i ought TO do and that the regret over
it will stay with me all my life. ] be-
gan with high purpose 10 accomplish
something. and have failed utterly"
You have at least tried your best"
mo, mother, don't think have.
i ought to have expected just such
things as those that happened to-day.
But it's too late TO do anything now"
she added, with sigh. THE question
Is: What am ! 10 do? / expect ii
means going into Bondman's until
can get a school"
Her mother tried to comfort her, but
Barbara was more depressed over the
situation than she had ever been in all
her life. She had met her dragon. and
had been completely routed. And she
had even at one time thought con-
temptuously of the dragon! But, as
she went 10 her room that night, she
felt with great humiliation that the
dragon had won and she would never
again have the courage TO look him in
the face.
The next day she sent over for her
trunk; and, when the expressman
brought it, he handed her note that
had been given him by Mrs. Ward.
Barbara opened it in some excite
ment, thinking it might be a request
TO come back. But il was scrawl from
Carl, who had at different times been
encouraged by Barbara 10 print real
letters to his father and brothers.
Dear Barbara: am very sorry you
have gone. Won't you come back? do
not feel very well to-day. My head aches.
II you will come back l will be good TO
you. Your loving
When she had read this note, which
Mrs. Ward had let Carl send, she sat
down on her trunk and cried again. II
seemed all so dismal a mistake, such q
look forward to the future with any
degree of hopefulness. 1t seemed as if
all her high ambitions were destroyed
and all of her ideals swept out of her
life.
The next two days she spent in help
ing her mother with some sewing and
in little duties about the house. In
every moment Of leisure from these
duties her thought at once went back
TO her ambition to serve, and the more
she dwelt upon II the more hopeless
she grew.
In the morning of the third day after
she had left Mrs. Ward. and she was at
work washing the breakfast dishes,
when a note was brought TO her. The
TcdolHR VI ~ sllIItu ntT pulhts Us Snc
stood in the kitchen and read:
MY Dear Barbara: Carl has been taken
I'll and is very sick child He calls for
you constantly. Can you come and see
him! do not dare ask II you will come
20 stay again, after my unkind words TO
you. But l am sure you will be willing
TO please Carl by coming to see him. The
dear child is very III indeed
MRS RICHARD WARD"
Barbara went out to the sitting
room at once and showed the note to
her mother.
"Of course, will go right over
there" Barbara said, as she put on her
hat.
"Will you stay If Mrs. Ward asks you
to?" her mother asked, with tone
which conveyed curiosity mingled with
discussion.
81 don't know" Barbara hesitated.
81 don't think she will ask me to come
back"
IL think she will, replied Mrs. Clark.
sand my advice, Barbara, is that you
say no. can't bear TO think of you as
finally becoming nothing but . serv-
ant"