Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1899-08-30


paused and continued with q sharpness
that was new to Rachel-s.I hope you
have no foolish notions in this matter.
Virginia **1. Il I. 81.
II have a great many notions, re-
piled Virginia quietly. whether they
are foolish or not depends upon my
right understanding of what he, would
do. AS soon as I find out shall do it. I"
excuse me, ladies'" said Rollin,
rising from the table, ''The CONVERSE
tion is getting beyond my depth. I
shall retire to the library for cigar.
He went out of the dining room, and
there was silence for a moment. Nine.
Page waited until the servant had
brought in something and then asked
her to go out She was angry, and her
anger was formidable, although checked
in some measure by the presence Of
Rachel.
II am older by several years than
Jou, young ladies" she said, and her
traditional type of bearing seemed to
Rachel to rise up like a great frozen
wall between her and every conception
Of Jesus as sacrifice. "What you have
promised in spirit of false emotion,
presume, is impossible of performance. I"
E'Do you mean, grandmother, that
we cannot possibly act as Jesus would,
or do you mean that if we try to we
shall offend the customs and prejudices
of society,"" asked Virginia.
lit is not required. It is not neces-
sary. Besides. how can you act with
any
Nine. Page paused, broke off her SEN
tence and then turned to Rachel.
'What will your mother say to your
decision? Ny dear, is it not foolish
What do you expect to do with your
voice anyway"
II don't know what mother will say
yet, Rachel answered, with a great
shrinking from trying to give her moth
er's probable answer: If there was a
woman in all Raymond with great am
billions for her daughters success as a
singer, Mrs. Winslow was that woman.
"Oh, you will see it in different
light after wise thought of it! My
DEAR" continued Nine. Page, rising
from the table, "you will live to regret
it if you do not accept the concert COM
pany's offer or something like it,.
Rachel said something that contained
hint Of the struggle she was still hav-
ing, and after little she went away,
feeling that her departure was to be
followed by painful conversation be-
tween Virginia and her grandmother.
AS she afterward learned, Virginia
passed through crisis Of feeling during
that scene with her grandmother that
fastened her final decision as to the use
Of her money and her social position.
Rachel was glad to escape and be by
herself. A plan was slowly forming in
her mind, and she wanted to be alone
to think it out carefully. But before
she had walked two blocks she was an
noyed to find Rollin Page walking be.
side her.
"Sorry to disturb your thought, Miss
Winslow, but happened to be going
your way and had an idea you might
not object. In fact, I've been walking
here for whole block, and you haven I
objected.
II did not see you," replied Rachel
II wouldn't mind that if YOU Onlv
thought Of me once in awhile" said
Rollin suddenly. He took one last nerv-
GUS puff of his cigar, tossed it into the
street and walked along with a pale
face. ".:' -
Rachel was surprised, but not star.
tied. She had known Rollin as boy,
and there had been time when they
had used each others first name famil-
iarly. Lately, however, something in
Rachels manner had put an end to
that. She was used to his direct at
tempts at compliment and was some
times amused by them. Today she hon
estly wished him anywhere else.
''Do you ever think Of me, Miss
Winslow p asked Rollin after a pause.
"Oh, yes, quite often!' said Rachel,
with smile.
care you thinking of me now?''
"Yes that is-yes, / am.
''What?''
''Do you want me to be absolutely
truthful
"Of course"
''Then I was thinking that I wished
you were not here"
Rollin bit his lip and looked gloomy.
Rachel had not spoken anything as he
wished.
"Now, look here, Rachel-oh, know
that's forbidden, but I've got to speak
some time-you know how feel. What
makes you treat me so hard? You used
to like me little, you know
''Did II Of course we used to get on
very we'll as boy and girl, but we are
older now"
Rachel still spoke in the light, easy
way she had used since her first annoy
ance at seeing him. She was still some
what preoccupied with her plan, which
mad been disturbed by Rollins appear
ance.
They walked along in silence little
way. The avenue was full of people.
Among the persons passing was Jasper
Chase. He saw Rachel and Rollin and
bowed as he went by. Rollin was
watching Rachel closely.
II wish I were Jasper Chase. Maybe
I'd stand some show then," he said
modify. *
Rachel colored in spite of herself.
She did not say anything and quickened
her pace a little. Rollin seemed deter.