The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1902-04-18

| promised me, 1 shall be quite indie
| pendent to work out my plan as 1
please. Whereas you are obliged to
overcome the prejudice of a whole
church full of people, many of whom
do not believe in social settlement
work connected with the h-lrch."
'.I wish there was some way" Mr..
Morton exclaimed, eagerly, absorbed
in thought of his plans, Gin which we
| could combine your plans and mine.
The training school would fit in so
beautifully with my ideas"
He spoke in his enthusiasm, for the
moment, thinking only of the plans
as existing apart from the persons.
But, as Barbara lifted her face to his
and then dropped her eyes, while a
great wave of color swept her cheeks,
he realized how personal his excla-
ma ton had been.
And just at that juncture, Mrs. Clark,
without word of apology or eXplana-
| ton, rose and walked out of the room.
Morton blessed her as she shut the
door. There are some things in the
love chapter of youth that cannot be
told except to the heart of youth it.
self.
He went quickly over to where Bar
bara was seated on the other side of
the table, and before she had time to
be frightened he said, looking at her
with loves look: Barbara, / love
you, and want you to be my wife and
share all with me. Will you?"
| Barbara sat all in a tumult, her
heart beating fast, as in dream won
dering at it all. And it sounded very
sweet to her. For she loved him truly.
But she said, as she stood by the table
| looking at him: "But-I-cannot. It
would be"
Tell me, Barbara" he said, sud-
| den smile lighting up his pale face,
and his use of her name was again
music to her, "tell me only one thing
| first. Do you love me?"
"Yes!" she cried, and it seemed to
her as if one person in her had spoken
to another, compelling the answer;
| and the next moment, she could not
realize how, but it was like a worlds
| life to her, his arms were about her,
and in that moment she knew that
| for better, for worse, she had put her
life into the lot of sharing with his.
Lovers do not count time like other
people. After awhile he was saying:
"But tell me, Barbara, how / am to
make my peace with Mrs. Ward. For,
when she learns that am going to get
her hired girl, she will never forgive
| me-
Then Barbara's face grew grave.
do you realize, Mr.. Morton, what
you have done? Can young man
| with your position and prospects af-
ford-to-to-marry hired girl"
| Oh, if you had not compelled me to say
| Yes so soon! I might have saved
you from making the mistake of your
life"
Barbara" he answered, with sud-
den sternness that was assumed,
without answering her question, eff
you ever call me Mr.. Norton again,
I shall" he left his threat unfinished;
but he had possession of her hand as
he spoke, and Barbara looked up at
him and said softly: "What shall 1
call your"
"Say-"
Yes. What?" Barbara asked, inno-
Gently, as he paused.
"Well, them" he went on, joyously,
"say: Ralph, love you more than
| anyone else in the world. And I will
walk with you through life because 1
love you-because we love each 9TH
err"
"You have taken advantage of mel"
she exclaimed, brightly, and then,
with glowing face looking into HIS
she repeated the words, whispering
them. And, when she had finished,
they were both reverently silent,
while her eyes were wet with tears
of solemn joy. They did not either of
them realize all they had pledged to
each other; >but the God-given, hui
man-divine spell of love was upon
them, and the blessedness of it swal-
lowed up all fears of the future. Once
Barbara had given herself to him, it
meant an end of doubt or fear. She
might discuss with him the probable
results to his social or professional
standing, but she would never torture
his mind or distress her own by vain
regrets or foolish anticipations. The
great truth of their love for each other
filled them both.
They were SO absorbed in their talk
that they did not hear Mrs. Clark
when she came into the room. Then
Mr.. Morton was suddenly aware of her
presence, and he instantly rose and
went over to her.
"Mrs. Clark" he said, 81 took add