Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1902-04-11
BORN TO SERVE
By Charles NJ. Sheldon,
Author of 'tIN HIS STEPS. sJoHN KINGS
QUESTION GLASS; EDWARD
BLAKE, - Etc.
Copyright. 1900. by Charles Il. sheldon.5
CHAPTER VII.-CoNT1NUED.

CHAPTER VII.-CoNTINUED.
The front door opened quickly; a
strong, firm step came through the
hall; and Mr.. Morton opened the sit
ting-room door and stepped in.
Excuse me, Ward, 1 left my
gloves on the table," he began, as he
walked in. Then he saw Barbara,
who had turned as he entered.
I'm glad to see you, Miss Clark"
he said, as he picked up his gloves;
and then added, as he remained some
what awl1wardly standing in the mid
die of the room: Glow is your train
ing-school building getting on? I sup
pose it is hardly finished yet?"
Barbara made some sort of an
swer, and Mrs. Ward added a word
about what Barbara had been doing
while Mr.. Morton had been gone.
Morton expressed his interest in
some particular item of informa ton
given by Mrs. Ward, and told little
Incident that had come under his own
observation during his lecture tour.
Mr.. Ward asked q question sug
gested by something the young min
lister had said, and that seemed to
remind him of story he had heard
on the train. Before anyone realized
exactly how it happened, Morton was
seated, talking in the most interest
ing manner about his trip. He had
keen sense of humor, and some of the
scenes he had witnessed while on his
tour were very funny as he told
them. Barbara found herself laugh
ing with an enjoyment she had not
felt for long time. She was delight
ed with Morton's powers of dramatic
failing fund of anecdote that he pos
sessed. She wondered at his remark
able memory, and her wonder was
evidently shared by Mr.. and Mrs.
Ward, who had long thought Morton
q marvel in that respect.
In the midst of most interesting
account of the way he had been in
PRODUCED to a western audience by a
local character, neighboring clock
in one of the city buildings struck
, ten. @
Morton stopped talking and rose.
81 had no idea it was so late. Par
IS don me-" He said goodnight some
what abruptly, and started for the
door.
you're sure you haven't left any
thing this time?" asked Mr.. Ward.
'T have, though" Mr.. Morton an
severed with some confusion, as he
came back to the table and took up
his hat, which he had dropped there
when he took up his gloves. AS he
did so, he glanced at Barbara, who
lowered her eyes and turned towards
the kitchen as if to go out.
az get more absent-ninded every
day." he said. somewhat feebly.
e. 'sYou need wife to look after
you,". said Mrs. Ward with decision.
She had picked up her work, which
she had dropped in her lap while
Morton was telling stories, and was
intent on finishing it.
Barbara opened the kitchen door,
and went out just as NJ. Ward said
with laugh: probably every wom-
an in Marble Square church has some
particular wife in view for you, and
you will disappoint all of them when
you finally make a choice without
consulting them"
81 proba bly, SHALL" replied Morton,
quietly, and, saying good night again,
he went away.
Mr.. Ward was silent few minutes.
and then said, as if he had been
thoughtfully considering a new idea:
Morton didn't seem at all dull or
urea AFTER COHliIlS Ddck 1OI lis
gloves. Have you thought that there
might be reason for it?'
enc What reason?" Mrs. Ward
looked up suddenly from her work,
startled by Mr.. Wards manner.
81 think he enjoys Barbara's COM
pany."
Richard Ward! You don't mean
to save that Ralph Horton would
-I,or
Ell not only think he would; I
think he WILL" replied Mr.. Ward,
quietly.
Mrs Ward was too much surprised
at the unexpected suggestion to offer
a word of comment at first. The
thought of such a thing was so new
to her that she h-d been totally I'M
prepared for it,
How would you like to have Bar
bara for your minister's wife, Mr..
Ward asked, in the bantering tone he
seomet times used.
-Ars. Ward was ON the point Of re-