Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1902-04-18

est request Of the young man that the
period of engagement might be a brief
one.
"We know our minds quite well,
am sure" he said, while Barbara,
blushing, nodded yes. 1T will be best
in every way for us to begin our home
very soon. Barbara, you will have to
give Mrs. Ward notice that you must
| leave. Poor Mrs. Wardi She is the
only person am sorry for right nowi"
They were all silent for a moment,
Then Mr.. Morton said: 1.-The servants
| training school will have to be part
of the social settlement now. You've
lost your independence"
''I've gained something BETTER" said
Barbara, gently. Her love knew no re-
strictions, now that it was returned,
and her heart leaped up to his in all his
ambitions for helping to make better
world.
When he rose to go, Barbara went
to the door with him. He had opened
it and was about to step out when he
turned and said, with a laugh: have
forgotten my hat
The missing hat was not found at
once, and Mrs. Clark unb1ushingly
said: perhaps it is in the sitting
room,' and walked deliberately out
there.
The hat was lying on chair behind
the table. The minister took it up and
walked to the door again. Then he
turned and said, while Barbara looked
up at him: 81 forgot something else.'.
Then he stopped and kissed her, and
went out into the night, and it was
like the glory of Heavens brightness
all about him, while Barbara turned
and again met her mother with an en-
brace where both mingled their tears
over the divine romance of this earth
ly life. God bless the repetition of the
pure love chapter in human hearts.
When 1T is deeply Christian, as in the
case of Barbara and Ralph, tits APP
proved of Christ and has the sanction
of all Heaven.
When Barbara began her work at
the Wards next day, she had natural
dread of breaking the news to Mrs.
Ward. But that lady unconsciously
made a good opportunity. She came
into the kitchen early in the forenoon
She had noted it many times before.
but this morning the girls great love
experience had given her face an addi-
tional charm. 1t is no wonder Ralph
Morton fell in love with her. He said
it all began from that Sunday when he
first met her at the Marble Square
church.
''Why, Barbara" Mrs. Ward ex-
claimed, s'you look perfectly charming
this morning. How do you manage to
keep looking so lovely? 1t is a wonder
to me that the kitchen is not full of
beaus all the timen'
Barbara laughed lightly. ST don't
want kitchen full of beaus. One is
enough
Mrs. Ward looked at her attentively.
Then she said, somewhat gravely:
''Did you say one is enough? What does
that mean?''
happy!" She turned to her, and the
older woman trembled little and then
said: SIT is Mr.. Morton?"
eyes," cried Barbara, and Mrs. Ward
put her arms about her and kissed her.
Then she stepped back and looked at
her somewhat sorrOwfully.
I'm glad for you, of course, but
what are we going to do? It's always
the way. The best girls I have always
go and get married. But I never
thought until lately that you would do
such thing. Why, it's like story.
Barbara. If it was in book, people
would think it was quite improba BILE.
The ideal they would say, Sof the
brilliant preacher of Marble Square
church, Crawford, the gifted young
writer and lecturer, marrying hired
girl in his own parish!' Have you
thought, Barbara, of the sensation this
event will make in Marble Square
church?''
"Of course have not had much time
yet to think of it, Mrs. Ward. If Mr..
Morton, Ralph" she added, shyly,
blushing at her own use of the name
before another person, eff he feels sat
is6ed, the church ought not to give any
trouble. Why should it? Do you think
it will?'
you're a hired girl in the eyes of
most people in the church. They do
not know you as I do. I am afraid it
will make trouble for Mr.. Norton
For a moment Barbara's radiant
face showed signs of anxiety. Then.
to Mrs. Wards establishment, she said,
with smile: ST am not going to bor-
row trouble over it. 1 love him too
much to be,afraid of anything"
eff only people knew you as
Mr.. Ward and I do Mrs. Ward fall
tered, tears in her eyes, caused by af-
lection for Barbara and sorrow at the
thought of losing her out of the home.
'sYou know what welcome Mr.. Ward
and myself and Mrs. Vane and a few
others will give you. But don't know
uh Mrc Rioo ond Mrs WILSON and