Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1902-01-10
I would like to see her? Tell her

", for it was he.
''Yes,'' continued Barbara, smiling;
''ten her a hired girl wants to see
her.
'tAll right said Carl, slowly. He
left Barbara standing awkward1y in
the hall and started upstairs to call
his mother. Near the top he met her
coming down.
another one of those girls be-
gan Carl, in good, sturdy voice; but
his mother said: ''Hush,' and in a
tired manner ordered him to go back
upstairs and stay with Lewis until
she came up.
She came down and met Barbara in
the hall. There were two chairs
there, and Mrs. Ward sat down, say
ing: won't you take a seat?" look
ing at Barbara closely as she did so.
Thank you," said Barbara, quiet
~. 81 have come in answer to your
advertisement in the evening news'
Yes said Mrs. Ward, slowly
! "Are you-do you think you can do
our work?"
81 think so,'' replied Barbara, mod
! estly.
''Can you take charge and go on
without being told how to do every
little thing?" Mrs. Ward asked some
| what sharply. She was silently, but
rapidly, noting everything about Bar
bara's face and dress and manner.
Yes, ma'am, I think I can, after
learning your ways"
Your name?"
Barbara Clark. 1 live with my
| mother on Randolph street, two
blocks from here
you have worked out before %
Mrs. Ward was beginning to note the
quiet refinement of the girl, and her
first thought was suspicion of Bar
| bara.
mo, I have never worked out as a
servant in a private family. I have
been waiter and cook and house
keeper one summer season at Lake
View Chautauqua. The only refer
ences I have are from Prof. White,
who had charge of the assembly that
year"
prof. Carol Burns White?"
eyes, ma'am. Of Waldeau acad-
envy
HE was my son Alfred's teacher
there. His reference would be
enough Mrs. Ward spoke eagerly,
looking at Barbara even more keenly.
But you are not "a servant grip"
| II am, if you decide to take me-"
replied Barbara, calmly.
| Mrs. Ward looked at the girl
! thoughtfully. 81 do not think-we-
you are not of the class of servants
I am used to. May I ash, is it-may
I ask how you came to be seeking
| this work?"
"Certainly," replied Barbara, cheer
fully. 81 have tried to secure other
places, and have failed. I think I can
suit you as a servant. -
Barbara hesitated. She thought if
she tried to say anything about her
studies in social economics, or the ad-
venture of this plan, as she had only
vaguely dreamed it herself, she might
not be understood. Better wait and
let that develop naturally. So she
stopped suddenly and sat looking at
Mrs. Ward quietly.
Mrs. Ward hesitated also. It was
an unusual situation. The girl had
given enough evidence of being all
right, especially if Prof. Whites rec
ommendation was good one. At the
same time, there was great risk in
hiring a person of Barbara's evident
education and refinement. How far
would she want to become one of the
| family? What relations would have
to be established between her and the
mistress?
But Mrs. Ward was thoroughly
tired out with a succession of disap-
pointments in experiences with girls
who were incompetent, ungrateful
and dishonest. The suggestion to her
mind of good, honest. capable wom-
an in kitchen and house who could
relieve her of the pain of daily
drudgery was a suggestion of such re-
lief that she knew it came to her that
her decision was almost made up to
take Barbara even if the circum-
stances in the girls life were strange
and unusual. Barbara suddenly
helped her to make the decision final
'Of course, I am ready to be taken
on trial At the end of week or a
month, if you are not satisfied, shall
expect you to say so, and that will
end it,
Glow much do you expect week?'
Mrs. Ward asked, slowly.
Barbara colored. She had never
been asked the question before.
SCI don't know. Perhaps you cannot
: tell until you find out how much I an
worth to you"
5 "Shall we say four dollars to begi1
/ with? We have paid more than thai
1 but
n ssI will begin on that" replied Bar
4 bara, quietly. 'Now, of course, if
: come, you will let me know exactl.
T what my duties are, SO that there
may be no mistakes on my part"
E Barbara had a good deal of shrewt
e | business sense inherited from her ia
r Their.
"Of course" replied Mrs. Ward, al