Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-09-13

Alfred Ward not even the mother ever
knew. But il was during crisis in
his young life. and the brave, simple
nature of Morton had gone out 10 the
young fellow in his trouble very much
like rescue. But men do not rear
monuments 10 this sort of heroism.
Barbara walked on in silence. but i'm
her heart she also had feeling of
gratitude for the young preacher
whose courteous greeting no less than
his helpful sermon had given her cOur-
age. At the same time, she was CON
scious Of little whisper in her mind
which said: Nevertheless, Barbara
Clark, in the very nature Of the case
you are not privileged 10 move in the
society Of young men like Mr. Morton,
as long as you are servant. You may
he college bred. and you may be as re-
fined and intelligent as he is; but he
could never look on you as an equal.
His courtesy was paid TO you as a min
lister would be courteous TO any WON
an, but not as an equal in any sense.
You never could expect TO sit down
and talk together, you never could an
ticipate the enjoyment of his com
pany or-or-eXpect that he could ever
call To see you as-as he might call to
see"
Barbara colored deeply as she al
lowed the whisper TO die away in
uncompleted fragments Of magma
ton. She was the last girl in the
world 10 have foolish. romantic
dreams Of young men. She had never
had lover. No one had ever made
her think of any such possibility. She
was singularly free from any silly
sentiment such as girls Of her age
sometimes allow to spoil the fresh
ness and strength of womanly
heart. But she was romantic in many
ways; and, being a woman and not
an angel or "A statue, she had thought
at times Of some brave. helpful.
strong life that might become part
of hers The world-old cry Of the
heart for companionship, the hunger,
God-given TO men and women. was
not unknown 90 Barbara within the
last year or two when she had be
gun TO blossom into womanhood. The
thought that her choice of a career
in service had put her outside the
pale Of common humanity's loving
Smote her with another pang as She
walked along. II seemed that th- ere
were depths and heights 70 this sers-
ant-girl problem that she was con-
s;antly discovering, into which she
might never descend. and out to which
she might never climb.
Carl awoke her from her thoughts
by dragging at her dress, and saying:
"Come, Barbara, let's hurry I'm
hungry. Let's hurry now and get
dinner"
Barbara looked at Mrs. Ward.
YES. go on with him if you want
TO. Lewis will he impatient. He ran
on ahead before his father could
stop him. | don't feel well enough
TO walk faster"
So Barbara hurried on with Carl
and as she pasesd several groups Of
churchgoers she was conscious that
she herself was the object Of con-
versation She could not hear very
well, but caught fragments OF SEN
fences, some spoken before, some
after, she had passed different peo-
pie.
~ freak of Mrs. Wards" Mrs
Nane's queer ideas" "Perfectly alb
surd 10 try 10 equalize up" Girls
have no right 10 demand" Ought
to know their places NO way to
help solve the trouble" etc, we're
remarks by the different members of
Marble Square church that set Bar
bara's pulses beating and colored her
cheek with anger.
You hurt me, Barbara" exclaimed
Carl as Barbara unconsciously
gripped his little hand.
go dearie. | am so sorry. I didn't
mean to- In an instant she was calm
again. What! Barbara Clark! You
have not endured anything to-day!
She had not anticipated anything be-
fore going 10 church She had sim
ply made up her mind 20 take what
came and abide by IT, What had
actually happened was not a sample
OF what might happen Sunday after
Sunday. Probably not. But il all
went with the place she had chosen.
Perhaps il was not at all the thing
for Mrs. Ward TO do. II might not
accomplish any good. But then. il
she stopped thinking about it and
went on 20 the house TO prepare the
lunch. When Mrs. Ward came in, she
found Carl satisfied with a bowl OF
bread and milk and Barbara quietly
busy getting lunch for the rest.
Mrs. Ward offered 10 help with the
work; but Barbara saw that she
was very tired. and insisted on her
lying down.
"Ill have everything ready very
soon," she said cheerfully; and. as
she went back into the kitchen, she
was humming one Of the hymns sung
in the service.
What do YOU think about to-day"
Mr.. Ward asked in a low voice as
his wife lay down on a lounge in
the dinng-room.
you mean Barbara's sitting with
us?"
stXae WIN :.