Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-04-15

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, Il took ad-
vantage of your absence to take your
daughter from you. But will try to
make up for it in part by giving you
a loving and dutiful son, if you will
accept me as SUCH"
Without waiting for her reply,
which he easily read in her smiling
face, he turned to Barbara, who had
come to his side.
what did you say, Barbara" Mrs.
Clark asked as she faced them both,
thinking to herself that she had never
seen so much real Joy in two faces
anywhere in the world.
"Oh, mother!" Barbara cried, II
have given him my answer" She laid
her head on her mothers breast as
she used to do when she was little
girl, and Mrs. Clark felt with the pain
full JOY of a good mothers heart that
the worlds old story had come into
her daughters life, and that hence
forth this man had become to Bar
bara all in all without displacing the
mother from her rightful share of af-
lection.
They had many things to say now,
and neither Barbara nor Mrs. Clark
offered serious objections to the earn
est request of the young man that the
period of engagement might be brief
one.
1--WE know our minds quite we'll, I
am sure" he said, while Barbara,
blushing, nodded yes. 1T will be best
in every way for us to begin our home
very soon. Barbara, you will have to
give Mrs. Ward notice that you must
leave. Poor Mrs. Ward! She is the
only person am sorry for right now!"
They were all silent for a moment,
Then Mr. Morton said: THE servants
training school will have to be part
of the social settlement now. You've
lost your independence"
"I've gained something BETTER" said
Barbara, gently. Her love knew no re-
strictions, now that it was returned,
and her heart leaped up to his in all his
ambitions for helping to make better
world.
When lie rose to go, Barbara went
to the door with him. He had opened
it and was about to step out when he
| turned and said, with a laugh: Ihave
forgotten my hat"
The missing hat was not found at
once, and Mrs. Clark unblushingly
said: 'Perhaps it is in the sitting
room," and walked deliberately out
there.
The hat was lying on chair behind
the table. The minister took it up and
walked to the door again. Then he
turned and said, while Barbara looked
up at him: Il forgot something else ~
Then he stopped and kissed her, and
went out into the night, and it was
like the glory of Heavens brightness
all about him, while Barbara turned
and again met her mother with an EN-.
brace where both mingled their tears
over the divine romance of this earth.
ly life. God bless the repetition of the
pure love chapter in human hearts
When it is deeply Christian, as in the
case of Barbara and Ralph, it is ap.
proved of Christ and has the sanction
Of all Heaven.
When Barbara began her work al
the Wards next day, she had natural
dread of breaking the news to Mrs
Ward. But that lady unconsciously
made a good opportunity. She came
into the kitchen early in the forenoon
and was struck by Barbara's beauty
She had noted It many times before
but this morning the girls great love
experience had given her face an addi-
tional charm. It is no wonder Ralph
Morton fell in love with her. He said
it all began from that Sunday when he
first met her at tho Marble Square
church.
"Why, Barbara" Mrs. Ward ex'
claimed, ''you look perfectly charming
this morning. How do you manage tc
keep looking so lovely? It is a wonder
to me that the kitchen is not full oil
beaus all the time!"
Barbara laughed lightly. N DOM
want kitchen full of beaus. One il
enough"
Mrs. Ward looked at her attentively
Then she said, somewhat gravely
"Did you say one is enough? What doe!
that mean?"
1T means-O Mrs. Ward, I am 81
happy!" She turned to her, and tn,
older woman trembled little and the1
said: 1T is Mr.. Morton?"
Eyes," cried Barbara, and Mrs. Ware
put her arms about her and kissed her
Then she stepped back and looked a
her somewhat sorrowfully.
I "a