Middletown transcript., 1899-12-23
ABSOLUTELY PURE

Tor anything but a growing admiration
for Rachel Winslow, and whenever she
dined or lunched at the Page mansion,
if he knew Of it, he always planned to
be at home.
These three made up the Page fam
lily. Virginia's father had been bank
er and grain speculator.- Her mother
had died ten years before, her father
within the past year. The grandmother,
southern woman in birth and train
ing, had all the traditions and feelings
that accompany the possession of wealth
and social standing that have never
been disturbed. She was shrewd, care
full business woman of more than aver
age ability. The family property and
wealth were invested, in large measure,
under her personal care. Virginia s por-
tion was, without any restriction, her
own. She had been trained by her fa-
ther to understand the ways of the
business world, and even the grand
mother had been compelled to acknowl-
edge the girls capacity for taking care
of her own money.
| Perhaps two persons could not be
found anywhere less capable of under
standing girl like Virginia than Nine
Page and Rollin. Rachel, who had
known the family since she was girl
playmate Of Virginia's, could not help
thinking Of what confronted Virginia
in her own home.when she once decided
on the course which she honestly be-
lieved Jesus would take. Today at
lunch, as she recalled Virginia's 8 out
break in the front room, she tried to
picture the scene that would at some
time occur between Nine. Page and her
granddaughter.
81 understand that You are going on
the stage, Miss Winslow. We shall all
be delighted, I'm sure," said Rollin
during one Of the pauses in the conver-
sation, which had not been animated
Rachel colored and felt annoyed.
"Who told your" she asked, while
Virginia, who had been very silent and
reserved, suddenly reused nerselr and
appeared ready to join in the talk.
.Oh, we hear a thing or two on the
street, Besides, every one saw Gran
dali, the manager, at church two weeks
ago. He doesn't go to church to hear
the preaching. In fact, know other
people who don't either, not when
there's something better to hear"
Rachel did not color this time, but
she answered quietly:
"You're mistaken. I'm not going on
the stage"
t'It's great pity. You'd d make hit.
Everybody is talking about your sing
ing
This time Rachel flushed with genu-
inc anger.
Before she could say anything Vir-
ginia broke in.
"Whom do you mean by EVERY
beaJyas, beaJy .
"Whom? I mean all the people who |
hear Miss Winslow on Sunday. What |
other time do they hear herr It's a
great pity, say, that the general pub
lie outside Of Raymond cannot hear her
voice.
''Let us tax about something else,
said Rachel a little sharply. Nine. Page
glanced at her and spoke with a gentle
courtesy.
''My dear, Rollin never could pay an
indirect compliment. He is like his IA
ther in that. But we are all curious to
know something of your plans. We
claim the right from old acquaintance,
You know. And Virginia had already
told us Of your concert company offer"
sI supposed. of course, that was pub
lie property" said Virginia, smiling
across the table. cit was in The News
yesterday"
eyes, yes" replied Rachel hastily.
"I understand that, Mime. Page. Well,
Virginia and have been talking about
it I have decided not to accept. and
that is as far as have gone yet"
Rachel was conscious of the fact that
the conversation had up to this point
been narrowing her hesitation concern
ing the company's offer down to de-
cision that would absolutely satisfy her
own Judgment of Jesus probable ae-
tion. 1t had been the last thing in the
world, however. that she had desired to
have her decision made in any way so
public as this Somehow what Rollin
Page had said and his manner in say
ing it had hastened her Judgment in
the matter.
ssWould you mind telling us, Rachel,
your reasons for refusing the offer2 It +,
looks like good opportunity for a
young girl like you Don't you think
the general public ought to hear your /
feel like Rollin about that A voice
like yours belongs to larger audience
than Raymond and the First church.
Rachel Winslow was naturally girl
3f great reserve. She shrank from max
ing her plans or her thoughts public. i
But with all her repression there was
possible in her an occasional sudden
out that was simply an i'm
,ulsive, thoughtful, frank. truthful ex-
,ression of her most inner personal feel
ng. She spoke now in reply to Nine :
Page in one OF those rare moments Of
lnreserve that added to the attractive 4
less of her whole character
II have no other reason than con-
fiction that Jesus would do the same
hing, she said. looking in Nine
oage's eyes with clear, earnest gaze.
Mime. Page turned red. and Rollin
tared Before her grandmother could
ay anything Virginia spoke
Her rising color showed how she was
TIRED Virginia's pale. clear COM
lexion was that Of health, but it was
enerally in marked contrast to Rachel,s
ropical type of beauty.
Grandmother, you know we prom
'ed to make that the standard Of our
onduct for year. Mr. Maxwell's
roposition was plain to all who heard
! We have not been able to arrive at
ar decisions very rapidly. The diff
ulty in knowing what Jesus would do
as perplexed Rachel and me d good
cal