Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1902-02-28
CHAPTER v.

TRUE SERVANT OF THE LORD.
The "test'' that Barbara had pro-
posed to Mrs. Vane. was not any
thing very remarkable, either as a
test or as an experiment. Mrs. Vane
was to invite several people to her
house some evening and invite Bar
bara with the rest, presenting her to
her guests and treating her in every
way like all the others. The curios-
ity that Barbara felt was in reality
something in the nature of protest
against remark made by her moth
er that society would not accept, un-
der any conditions, servant into its
circle, and that not even Mrs. Vane
with all her wealth and eccentricity
and social standing could really do
anything to remove the barrier that
other people would at once throw up
against her.
No sooner had Barbara perceived
that Mrs. .Vane was perfectly willing
to do what she asked, and indeed
looked forward to it with kind Of
peculiar zest, than she began to re-
greet having asked her. Nothing would
be gained by it one way or the 9TH
er, she said to herself hesitatingly as
she pondered over it. What if she
should be welcomed for herself? That
would prove nothing and help moth
ing. She would go to Mrs. Vane next
day, and ask her to forgive foolish
impulse that had no good reason for
existing; and that would be the end
of it.
But before she had found an after
noon to go and see Mrs. Vane that
energetic lady had invited her COM
pany, and it was too late. Barbara
said to herself that she would re-
fuse her own invitation and not go,
but Mrs. Vane next day wrote char
acteristic note urging Barbara not to
disapoint her.
''You must not hesitate to come for
fear of putting me in any awkward posi-
ton, my dear. I am independent of any
verdict of selfish society, and the few
friends who do know and love me will
treat you If you were a member of my
own family, and you may be surprised at
some things yourself. For I have found
after much longer life than yours that
there is still a good deal of human kind
ness yet, even among people of wealth
and so-called fashion. On the whole, how
ever. you will be doomed to meet with
what you undoubtedly expect. Wealth and
family connections and, above all. position
are counted greatest in the kingdom of
men. The time will come when the first
that time comes. servant girls will be as
good as dukes daughters and eat at the
same banQuets. You are not willing to
wait until then; so come to my feast and
prepare to be overlooked But don't stay
away for fear of hurting me. The only
way you can hurt me is to misunderstood
me. I don't mind that from my enemies.
They don't know any better. But my
friends ought to. Your friend,
MRS. VANE."
This letter put Barbara more or
less at her ease; and, when the night
| of the gathering came, she went to
it quite self-possessed and prepared
for anything. The reality of it She
| was not prepared for in the least,
| and among all her experiences she
counted this the most remarkable.
It was to be rather large gather
ing; and when Barbara arrived the
front rooms were quite well filed.
Mrs. Vane introduced her to three or
four ladies standing in the front hall
! One of them was a young woman
about Barbara's age. elegantly
dressed and very distinguished lock
| ing, even to Barbara Her name was
Miss Dillingham;.
"My mother was Dillingham;
said Barbara. simply, as an opening
/ remark 1Or conversation.
Indeed. Your name is
"Miss Clark" said Barbara.
| 80, yes, Miss Clark. What branch
of the Dillinghams, may I ask? The
Vermont Dillinghams ?"
eyes. Mothers father was from
Washington county"
GLOW interesting!" The young
woman smiled in a very interesting
manner at Barbara. "'Then we must be
related somewhere. Our family is
from the same county. Is your ia
Their living here in Crawford"
Father died last year." said Bar
bara, returning the young woman's
look of interest.
cts rather strange I have not me-
you before said Miss Dillingham;
"You have been shut in on account
of your fathers DEATH" She looked
at Barbara's simple black silk dress
which was Barbara's one party dress
very plain, but in perfect taste il
| every way. "But I thought I knew
all the Dillinghams of the Vernon
branch. Mother will want to NEE
YOU"
s.Is she here to-night?'' asked Bar
bara.
eyes. She's in the other room some
where. All! There's the new minis
ter of Marble Square church, MI
MortonI" Miss Dillingham; exclaimed
81 didn't know that he had come yet
think he is perfectly splendid Hav
you ever heard him preach ?'
eyes, heard him once" reptile,
Barbara; and the next moment MI
Morton had caught sight of them
and came out into the hall and greet
ed them.
"Good evening, Miss Clark. I'm YER
glad to meet you again. And YOU