Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1902-02-21
BORN TO SERVE
By Charles NJ. Sheldon.
Aa4hor of ssIN HIS STEPS, >, e.JoHN KINGS
QUESTION GLASS; s'EDWARD
BLAKR,' Etc.
CHAPTER IV.-CoNr1NUED.
Copyright. 1900. by Charles n. Sheldon. }

l.
Hilda, who had given signs of be-
Ding in hurry, rose. and walked to-
ward the door. Barbara also got up,
and, somewhat to Mrs. Vanes sur
prise said: 81 think I'll go, too. I'll
walk along down town with you, Hill
da, If you don't mind"
A5ilda nodded and Barbara was not
quite sure that she was pleased to
have her company; but Barbara had
been thinking Of plan, and she need
ed 30 be with Hilda a little while in
order to carry it out. So the two
went away together.
They had walked down the street
half block, when, in answer to a
question, Hilda said she was plan
ming to do<some shopping.
LET me go, too; are you Willingly"
81 don't mind,' said Hilda, but with
a note of hesitation that Barbara
gould not help remarling.
They went into several of the
<smaller stores where both of them
purchased one or two small articles,
.Rnd finally entered the great store
of Bondmans.
Hilda knew one Of the girls in this
store, and as they stood by the
counter she introduced Barbara. The
girl behind the counter stared hard
mt Barbara, but returned her greet
nag civilly enough, and then began
60 giggle and whisper with Hilda.
Bilda seemed nervous, and repeated
.zy looked at Barbara as if she were
I'm the way; and Barbara, thinking
sfAe others might have some secrets,
walked over to the opposite counter.
She had been there only a minute
when a young man sauntered up to
Hilda and the friend behind the coun-
ter. and all three began to talk to-
Gether. He was not a bad-looking
Fellow, but Barbara quickly put him
clown as of that class of weak-headed
youths who might be seen almost
sany Sunday evening walking down the
main street of Crawford in company
with one or more factory girls.
This time Barbara did not attempt
TO avoid watching Hilda. A floor
walker in the store. going by at the
same time, glanced sharply at the
young man; but he was apparently
buying something. The f1oorwalker
turned at the end of the counter, and
came back; and this time he looked
songer at, the two girls, and finally
beciIoned to the one behind the
counter. She turned very red, and
came over to where he stood. He
whispered something to her thai
made her turn pale and instantly she
went back and completed the sale of
some little articles that Hilda had
Bought, giving the floor-walker, as
she did so, several hateful looks.
EIilda and the young man contin-
sled to talk together while waiting
S0r the change. When it came, he
seemed to hesitate and finally looked
over at Barbara. Hilda said some
Shings and he answered and walked
slowly out of the store.
Barbara came over, and Hilda
ipicked up her purchases.
Are you ready?"
Eyes," Hilda said shortly, and after
a word from the girl behind the coun-
ter they went out.
They walked along for some dis
tance and then Barbara ventured to
say: e.'Why didn't you introduce me
to your young gentleman friend?"
Hilda colored deeply as she an
svvered slowly: Il didn't suppose you
would care to know him"
-'Why not?"
<'Well. you're not really one of u.s.
Nbara.
Barbara could not help smiling
How not one of you?"
Mrs Vane told me you're not
really working out"
4sWhat am doing?"
ssI don't know,g replied Hilda, hope
1essly, and then was silent. Bar
asar IA Saade 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.
ssBut that has nothing to do with
the fact of my being servant in
Mrs. Wards house. I want to be
friends with you, Hilda. Aren't you
Sriiling?.'
sIs dent mind" Hilda answered. in
- tone that Barbara did not think