Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1902-04-25

CHAPTER VIII.-CoNTINUED.
There was little embarrassment at
the first greeting with the Wards, but
it soon passed off and in a few mo-
ments the young minister was chat
ting delightfully."-. His happiness was
on his face and in his manner. He
had never looked so noble or. so hand
some, Barbara's heart said to herself,
almost wondering whether it was all
a.dream from which she would soon
be rudely awakened. But it was no
dream like that. Her heart sang as
she began to realize its reality.
80, by the way Mr.. Ward said sud-
denly, turning to hiss wife, Martha,
how about that rule that we made
long ago, that the hired girl should re-
ceive her company in the kitchen?
Why did I go to all the expense of
furnishing that new kitchen if the girl
IS going to sit here in the. parlor?"
AR. Morton jumped to his feet, and
walked over to Barbara.
Come, Barbara" he said, with
touch of humor that equaled the occa-
sion. "Come out into the kitchen
where we belong. This is no place for
u.s."
Barbara rose, blushing and laugh
ing.
Eyes, I see. Just an excuse to get
rid of u.s." Mr.. Ward said, as the lovers
walked out.
ssWe want to live up to the rule of
the house." Mr.. Morton retorted.
They went out into the room where
Barbara had spent so many hours of
hard toll and, when they were alone,
the minister said: Dear, do you
know, this room is a sacred spot to
me? 1 have thought of you as being
here more than anywhere else"
IF / had known that" Barbara said,
gently, and she no longer avoided the
loving brown eyes that looked down
at her, sit would have lightened good
many weary hours. 1 feel ashamed
now to think of the quantities of tears
, have shed in this little room"
THE thought that your life has
gone out in service here, Barbara, is
beautiful thought to me. What a
wonderful thing it is to be of use in
the world! 1 thank God my mother
brought me up to reverence the labor
Of the hand in honest toll. There is
soothing more sacred in all of human
life"
Ihen they talked of their love for
each other, and were really startled
when the door suddenly opened and
Mr.. Ward called out from the entry:
Gas and coal come high this winter.
y gu can draw your own inference"
They rose, laughing, and came back
into the parfor, where Mrs. Ward
apologized for Mr.. Wards Interrupt
zion.
Don't say a word, Mrs. Ward"
Norton said, gayly. 81 shall soon have
barbara all to myself"
How soon?"
II don't know quite" Mr.. Morton
looked at Barbara.
There will be mourning in this
household when she goes" Mrs. Ward
replied. 81 never expect to have an
other girl like Barbara
I'm sorry for you, but you can't ex-
pect me to feel any sorrow for my
SELF
Yes, that's it," Mr.. Ward put in,
ironically. you preachers are al
ways talking about sacrifice, and Civ
ing up, and all that. / notice that,
when it comes to a personal applica-
ton. you are just as grasping after
the best there is as anybody"
"Of course" said Morton, cheerful
II, looking at Barbara.
He is going to suffer for it,
though" Barbara came to the rescue
% Mr.. Ward. ''He may lose his church
Just as you are going to lose me-"
. DON'T think so,'' Mortar answered,
calmly. "But if l do" He did not
fash, but his look at Barbara spoke
voumes. 1t said that he had found
something which would compensate
far any earthly loss.
When Morton had gone, Barbara
slipped up to her room. Her happi-
ness was too great to be talked about
The thought of what her lover, her
"loyer,r she repeated, had said about
service, about the image of herself
daily in that kitchen, made her trem-
ble She had tried to accustom herself
TO the thought of Christ's teaching
about service. Her study of the diff
ferent passages in the Bible referring
to servants had given her new life or
the subject. It had all grown sweetel
and more noble as she went on. And
uow that her life had been caught
up into this other life, a newer ant
clearer revelation of labor and min
tstry had come to her. Never had Bar
bara offered truer prayer of thanks
xiving than the one that flowed ou1