The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1902-03-28

DllllnghamS passed them with what
seemed to Barbara unusually severe
faces. The light of the afternoon sud-
denly went out. She was no longer
a college graduate, an educated
young woman the equal, in every
thing but wealth, of this glorious
creature she had just passed; she was
only a hired girl, servant. And the
gulf that yawned between her and
the minister was too deep to be
bridged. 1t was folly to be happy any
longer. Happiness was not for her;
only ambition was left, and even that
might not be possible if this social
settlement plan was to be involved in
hers, and
SCI beg pardon, Miss Clark, but did
I hear you say the other night at
Mrs. Vane's that you or your mother
had known the Dillinghams before
you came to Crawford?"
| Mr.. Morton was coming to the re-
lief of her embarrassment.
mo, mother is related to one
branch of the family. Mrs. Dilling-
ham has been very kind to me since
that evening" she added. 81 have
not been courteous, hardly, in re-
spouse to her INVITATION.
Its a very nice family" Mr.. Nor
ton said, quite tamely.
"Yes, Miss Dillingham; is remark
ably beautiful person, don't you
think?" Barbara was not quite her
self, or she would not have asked
such a question.
"She is not as beautiful as some
one else I know replied Morton, sud-
denly, and as he said it he looked
Barbara full in the face.
1t was one of those sudden yield
ings to temptation that the young
minis ter in his singularly strong, ear
nest, serious life could number on his
fingers. He regretted it the minute
the words were spoken, but that
could not recall them. Over Barbara's
face the warm blood flowed in deep
ening wave, and for a moment her
heart stood still. Then, as she walked
on, she was conscious of Mr.. Nor
tons swiftly spoken apology as he
noted her distress.
Pardon me, Miss Clark. I forgot
myself will you forget-will you
forgive me?"
Then Barbara had murmured some
reply, and he had taken off his hat
very gravely and bowed as he took
leave of her, and she had gone on
with a flaming face and a beating
heart.
''He asked me to forget it? I can
not" she said, as she buried her face
in her hands up in her room, while
the tears wet her cheeks. "He asked
me to forgive it. Forgive him for
saying what he did? But it was not
anything very dreadful" She smiled,
then frowned at the recollection. 9
silly compliment that gentlemen are
in the habit of paying. But was it
silly, or was he in the habit of pay
ing such? Was it not real express
sion of what he felt" She put her
hands over her ears, as if to shut out
whispers that might kill her ambi-
tions and put something else in their
place. But when she went down to
work little later she could not shut
out the picture of that afternoon
She could neither forget nor forgive.
o Barbara! If he could only know
how his plea for forgiveness was be-
ing denied; and with a smile, not a
frown in the heart!
The rest of that week Mr.. Morton
stayed away from Mrs. Wards, al
though Mr.. Ward had expected him
to tea on Friday. He sent note
pleading stress of church work. Mr.
: Ward commented on it at the table
! Morton is killing himself already
He seems to think he can do every
thing. He won't last out half his
days at the present rate"
HE needs a good wife more than
anything else" Mrs. Ward said, care
lessly. "Some one ought to manage
him and tell him what to do"
Eyes, 1 suppose every woman in
: the church knows just the girl fol
him, and is ready to hint her name,
: Mr.. Ward remarked.
eff he marries anyone in Marble
Square parish it will create trouble
1t always does" said Mrs. Ward.
"1 think Morton has sense enough
to look out for that" replied Mr.
Ward, briefly.
Barbara heard every word as she
| was serving at the table, and feared
, her face might betray her. But Mrs
Ward, in whom Barbara had never con
fided, as she had in Mrs. Vane, did not
detect anything; and Barbara found
relief by retiring soon to her kitchen
{ The following Sunday she had an ex
? perience which added to her knowl
edge of the position she occupied as &