The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1902-02-21

Mrs. Vane told me you're not
really working OUT
what am doing?"
81 don't know" replied Hilda,. hope
lessly, and then was silent. Bar
bara made her decision rapidly.
"But I'm working out just as much
as you are, Hilda. What is the diff
ference?"
you're educated" said Hiida
shortly.
'But that has nothing to do with
the fact of my being a servant in
Mrs. Wards house. I want to be
friends with you, Hilda. Aren't you
willing?"
81 don't mind" Hilda answered. in
tone that Barbara did not think
very encouraging. They walked on q
distance without speaking. Then
Barbara became conscious that across
the street, nearly opposite, the young
man who had come into the store
was walking, and Hilda knew it as
well.
Barbara looked at the girl again
and the look determined her next
question, even at the risk of loosing
what little hold she might have on
Hilda.
81 am going to turn down here to
Mrs. Wards she said as they reached
corner and stopped. AS they
stopped, Barbara saw the young man
linger and finally stop in his course.
| "Ihope you won't misunderstood me-"
Barbara continued, looking into Hill
da's face with great frankness. "But
does your young gentleman friend
visit you frequently at Mrs. Vane's?"
Hilda turned red, and at first Bar
bara thought she was about to give
an angry reply. Instead of that she
began to laugh a little.
"Yes, he calls sometimes. He's in
the pacEing-house on night force"
Barbara looked at Hilda earnestly a
| moment, then abruptly turned, saying
"Good-bye," as she left. She did not
| look back, but was as certain as if she
had that the young man had instantly
crossed the street and joined Hilda.
"And what business is it of mine if
he has?" Barbara veXed herself with
the question as she walked along. 81
! am glad she said he called. Mrs. Vane
must know it. What business is it of
mine if the girl meets him this way?
He probably has very little other time.
| Shall a girl out at service have no So
| ciety, no company? o, the whole thing
is of a miserable piece with the entire
miserable condition of service. What
| is to prevent girls like Hilda throw
ing themselves away on young men
like this one? And who is either to
| blame her or care one way or the other
| if she does? And what possible pros
| pect is there for me or any one to
change the present condition of
| things?"
Barbara walked slowly back to her
work, depressed by the events of the
afternoon. What, indeed, could she do,
if, as Mrs. Vane said, the very people
that needed to be helped into better
ways of living did not care to be
helped; if, like Hilda, they saw no far
Their and cared no more for better
things than the little episode of the
store apd the young man suggested.
She felt SO helpless in view of future
progress that when she went up to her
| room that evening she was in great
need of comfort, and in her search for
| the passages having servants in mind
she came upon that one in Titus, sec
ond chapter, ninth verse:
"EXhort servants to be in subsection
to their own masters and to be well
pleasing to them in all things; not
gainsaying; not purloining; but show
ing all good fidelity; that they may
adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour
in all things"
81 don't think there is any danger of
my 'purloining,'" Barbara said, smil-
ing little. although 1 have some
times been tempted to do a little
'gainsaying,' especially when Mrs.
Ward has one of her severe headaches.
really believe have tried to be well
| pleasing and also establish reputa-
ton for good fidelity But that is
wonderful end to the exhortation:
That they may adorn the doctrine of
God our Saviour in all things If
servant, slave in Paul's time, could go
on serving with that end in view, what
shall I say of myself? Is my service
of such character that it adorns like
jewel that which in itself is a jewel
to begin with, the doctrine of God our
Saviour? This is high standard for
hired girl, Barbara. If you live up to
it, it will keep you busy"
She offered her prayer with great
| earnestness that she might have the
leading of the Spirit of Light, and in
her prayer she remembered Hilda,
| fearing she knew not what for the
girl, realizing as she never before had
realized the many dangers that face
! working girls in large cities, and real
| izinu foo that If she accomDliShed