The National tribune., 1903-07-16

ing cheerful. Ours has been so dreary
since mother died-there is where her
coffin stood The shadow stays"
Hanna tlinched No, it has passed. l
have had new vision of home. 1t Is all
going to be different. Little She is going
to help me-"
Barbara's eyes met hers wistfully:
she said, very low. Let us sing. then.
Let us go back and be children-for an
hour
They sang the old songs--everything
they knew. The old Colonel left his books.
She was troublesome at first, but Hanna
was natural born mother" Barbara de-
clared. The evening passed splendldiy;
Nothing was said, but it was understood 1hi
the parIor should be used after this.
Saturday morning Emmet Worth's
servant cantered into the yard with
note for Miss Barbara. Would she ac-
cept his escort on the morrow! Madam
A. was to sing at stately old st.
Stephens. He knew how much she ad-
mired both church and singer. He was
at her service.
Hanna was sitting by the fire sewing.
"Philip is going to dine with us to-mor-
row." she observed incidentally. He is
to be presented to She. l suppose you are
going to st. Stephens, to hear the great
soprano?'
No" Barbara turned to her desk. The
polite little note of regret she penned TO
Mr. Worth gave that gentleman bad
half hour. He did not understand the re-
fusal, neither did Barbara.
Barbara went to the village church to
hear Philip Hayden preach. He was of
ten surprise to her. In his brilliant mo-
ments he ceased to be the simple, homely
man whose stern directness reproved her
pleasure-loving youth. In the pulpit his
ugliness, throbbing with the inner light,
grew majestic. There was appeal in the
questioning eyes she fixed upon him. Was
money the chief good-was it what she
wanted?
"Your baby is very ugly" Philip said,
after the presentation. Barbara's eyes
lowered. "Of course" she answered.
THAT is why 1 like her. Her ugliness
will win-wait, she will vindicate herself
Beauty is an attribute of the eye that
sees. Waitr'
Through the long Winter Hanna's
"new vision of home'' embodied itself
The old country house cast off its reserve
and gloom. Young people began to like
| its hospitality. Philip Hayden did. He
found himself inventing excuses, bushing
at his eagerness. Hanna was pretty busy
She was an absorbing new occupation
it was Barbara who entertained him.
Barbara's lover looked upon the grow
4 =
was Hanna he found unengaged-brght
cheerful, inexplicable Hanna. He rather
| liked the girI-very certainly she liked
him. She wasn't bad looking either, and
always well-groomed. Not a bad com
panion for an empty evening-only he pre-
ferred Barbara. Confusion take the
preacher fellowl
The school children picnicked in the AL
len woods when the first violets came
| Winter
things were glad. Barbara's shadows
were there, and so was Hanna. She how
cred in her sisters wake, neat, attractive
watchful. There was whisper among
the village folks that she, too, coveted tn,
heshpots of Egypt
1t was impossible for Worth to make
open protestations of love to one sister il
possible to be alone with Barbara an!
more. He had quite made up his mint
to ask her to share his gilt throne will
him. Why did she not give him the op
portunity? She was clever enough abou
most things. What need to be so shy?
Below them on the rocks Philip Hay
den told stories to group of little folks
knew the delight Of his storytelling
Hanna. at her side, was telling a story,
true one, to Emmet Worth.
Destitute, forsaken, with sick child
know you will be glad to help her-fo
she is our neighbor, you know. Crise
J come to individuals as well as to nations
This is her hour. She married beneatl
her. The man has tried to break he
heart. You will join usY'-
'Yes-oh, certainly. To please Iay fai
Lady Bountiful. Not that 1 sympathis
deeply with your deserving poor-they ar
, always thriftless. Give them a years in
come, they will buy q piano. What sha
I-ah, they are on my placel A month
rent, then-or Doctors bill?"
e Philip had said "Tell me how to hel
, her, and still spare her pridew Barbar
moved restlessly. The hem Of her dres
touched his polished boot-she drew
aside. "The piano might be a necessity,
Hanna was speaking sweetly. 1T is nc
for me to limit your generosity"
What shall I contribute, Barbara?"
he leaned forward, venturing to touc
the rosy hand so near him. She slippe
! from beneath his touch, brisht-eyed an
illusive. Philip. glancing up, had met he
look and smiled
"Ill 20 ask Mr.. Hayden" she saii
obeying the voice Of her heart. The chi
dren sent up q welcoming c1 - she Nsu