Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1902-03-28
BORN TO SERVE
By Charles NJ. Sheldon.
Author of "IN HIS STEPS, John KINGS
QUESTION CLASS, - edward
BLAKE, y Etc.
CHAPTER VI.-CoNTINUED.

s.CHAPIER NI.-CONTINUED.
Morton looked at Barbara, and Bar
bara glowed. Then she cast her eyes
on the floor.
Eyes, 1 suppose such a building is
in keeping with our social settlement
plans" Morton replied, somewhat
stif1y. 'But Miss Clark probably
! wishes to work out her-plans-inde
pendently."
There's such thing as being too
independents quoth Mrs. Vane,
sharply.
81 suppose there is answered Bar
bara, family, and then sat silent.
The thought of being in any sense
connected with Mr.. Morton gave her
a feeling of bitter sweet.
"Well, think it over!" Mrs. Vane
continued, with what seemed like I'M
necessary sharpness. 81 don't know
but that Il shall make the gift con-
ditional on it's being used in the So
cial settlement plan. So you needn't
ask me for any money to-day, SIR
she said, turning to Morton.
''Thank you, Mrs. Vane. I know
how to take a hint" he replied, grave
ly. And then he caught Barbara's
look as she glanced up from the car
pet, and his tone made Barbara laugh
a little nervously. He joined in it,
and Mrs. Vane kept them company.
81 don't know what the joke is
about" she said, at last, as she
rubbed her nose again as if in disap-
pointment.
'It's just as well, perhaps Nor
ton said "Some jokes cannot be ex-
planned, not even by the makers of
them
He seemed to make no motion to
go, and after few minutes more of
general talk about the proposed
house, during which nothing more
was said about the settlement, Bar
bara rose and said she must go, as
she had some work to do before tea
time.
Mr.. Morton instantly rose also.
MAY I walk with you, Miss Clark?
My calls take me your way"
Certainly" Barbara murmured,
and they went out together.
Mrs. Vane watched them from the
window as they went past. The old
lady was still rubbing her nose in
some vexation.
eff he isn't thinking a good deal
more of her than of the social set
L
ty thousand towards it instead of
ten,'' she said, and then added: 'sThey
couldn't either of them do better.
And if he doesn't have sense enough
to know what is good for him, I'll
try to help him out"
Barbara and Mr.. Morton walked
down the street, talking about every
thing except the proposed building
and the social settlement plans. Aft
er the first moment of embarrass-
ment at the thought of walking with
him had passed, Barbara was relieved
to feel quite at her ease. She had
never looked prettier. She had gift
of vivacious Converse ton. Mr.. Nor
ton was not her equal in that respect,
but he was at his best when he had
a good tafker with him. They had
just finished some innocent play at
repartee and were laughing over il
when, as they turned the corner to-
wards the Wards, they met Mrs. Dill
bingham and her daughter.
Instantly Barbara's face became
grave, and Mr.. Morton he raised
his hat seemed equany sober. The
Dillinghams 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 hired girl, servant. And the
gulf that yawned between her and
the minister was too deep to be
bridged. It 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
GERS, and
II 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.