Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1902-05-02


Witness to the possibilities of Heaven
among men.
Five years after this Barbara and
her husband were standing together
ore evening in the dining-room of
. the parsonage of Marble Square
church, evidently awaiting some
guests.
Ralph Morton was nodding approx
al of some little detail of the table
furnishing, and Barbara was saying:
$50 4ovely to have the old friends
with us tonight, isn't it, Ralph?"
Indeed it is. Although I could be
satisfied with present company" the
minister answered, CALAMITY. He was
still the lover as well as husband.
That's selfish Barbara smiled as
she came around to his side of the
table and. stood there with his arm
about her, the love light in her eyes
as strong as ever.
81 have never quite got over that
interruption of Mrs. Wards the night
I courted you in your Kitchen" he
said, laughing.
"YoN have had five years to make
it>up, SIR" Barbara replied, answer
ing his laugh with a caress, and as
the bell rang she ran to the door to
meet her guests.
.:.We'veall come along together, you
see" Mr.. Ward said, in his CHEEKY
fashion, as he entered with Mrs.
Ward and Mr.. and Mrs. Vane and
Mrs. Dillingham;. eve have been over
to the training school and looked at
the euew addition. It's a great help"
I. e, +1l
them eagerly; and when they were
seated at the table after grace was
asked the talk naturally turned about
the work of the training school and
its results. "A neat-looking girl with
a pleasant, intelligent face came in
10 serve the first course.
-. nnie," Barbara said, with a
snli :. that revealed her winsOmeness
and proved that the years had added
10 its power, 'these. are old friends
of mine You have met Mrs. Ward.
This is Mr.. Ward, Mrs. Dillingham;,
Mr. and Mrs. Vane, Jennie Mason"
The girl9 nodded pleasantly in re-
spo ~e TO the words of greeting given
her. and when her work was over she
went out.
rs Miss Mason one of. your girls? %
Mrs. Vane asked, rubbing her nose Wig
orously, AS her wont was when she
had some particular problem in mind.
Ayes she is just out of the school.
She is. really fitting herself for hos
pitaf service, 5but wanted to take the
course, and is with me this winter"
care these her muffins?" Mr.. Ward
inquired, suspiciously.
NO, SIR" Barbara laughed. 'sThose
are mine. 1 made them specially for
You in memory of the old times"
''Ah, we've never had any like them
since you leftsus for better place
have we, Martha?" Mr.. Ward said,
turning to his wife.
NO, not even the girls from Bar
bara's school can equal her." Mrs
N.ard answered, giving. Barbara a
Sr, tefullook. The years had strength
ened- their friendship and love.
Il don't see that the training school
has solved the hired girl problem in
: Crawford" Mrs. Nane said, as if vexed
a something she had heard. Gal
though it wonderful what has been
lcac in so short a time"
We've had our woes" Barbara an
swered, with sigh. 1T takes sc
long TO make people see the Divine
side of service. Now. Jennie, as good
ard capable girl as she is, longs
TO escape from the drudgery, as she
calls it, and become something be-
sides n servant"
LAS long as humanity is what it is
I imagine that will always keep the
problem unsolved. But am sure the
girls who go out of the school art
learning the beauty of service more
and more every year."
II can speak for the truth o.
that" Mrs. Dillingham; nodded vigor
ously to Barbara across the table
ssThe girl you sent me last week is {
treasure. She is neat, competent ant
Cl~;e4;op am ready to nav her thu