The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-10-06

GudG accompany Gne possession OF wealth.
and social standing that have never
been disturbed. She was a shrewd. care
full business woman of more than aver
age ability. The family property and
wealth We're invested, in large measure.
under her personal care. Virginia S por-
ton was. without any restriction, her
own. She had been trained by her ia
ther to understand the ways of the
business world, and ever 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 a girl like Virginia than Nine.
Page and Rollin. Rachel. who had
known the family since she was a girl
playmate Of Virginia's, could not help
J 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 out
break in the front room, she tried to
picture the scene that would at some
time occur between Mime. Page and her
granddaughter.
81 understand hat 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 CONVEX
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 herself and
appeared ready to join in the talk.
ooh. 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, l 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"
"It's a great pity. You'dmake a 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
body?'"
"Whom2 l mean all the people who
hear Miss Winslow on Sunday. What
other time do they hear her? It's a
great pity. 1 say, that the general pub
lie outside of Raymond cannot hear her
voice"
"Let us tsRz about something else"
said Rachel a little sharply. Mime. Page
glanced at her and spoke with a gentle
courtesy.
"My dear, Rollin never could pay an
indirect compliment. He is like his IA
Their 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. y
81 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
81 understand that, Nine. 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 a de-
cision that would absolutely satisfy her
own judgment of Jesus probable ac-
ton. 1t had been the last thing in the
world, however, that she had desired to
nave her decision made in any way so
public as this. Somehow what Rollin
Page had said and his manner in a Y
ing it had FASTENED her Judgment in
the matter.
"Would you mind telling us, Rachel,
your reasons for refusing the offer2 1t
looks like a good opportunity for a
young girl like you. Don't YOU think
the general public ought to hear your l
feel like Rollin about that. A voice
like yours belongs to a larger audience
than Raymond and the First church.
Rachel Winslow was naturally a girl
of great reserve. She shrank from MAX
ing her plans or her thoughts public.
But with all her repression there was
possible in her an occasional sudden
breaking out that was simply an i'm
pulsive. thoughtful, frank, truthful ex-
preston of her most inner personal feel
ing. She spoke now in reply to Nine.
Page in one of those rare moments of
unreserve that added to the attractive
ness of her whole character.
81 have no other reason than a CON
viction that Jesus would do the same
thing, she said, looking in Nine
Pages eyes with a clear, earnest gaze.
Nine. Page turned red, and Rollin
stared. Before her grandmother could
say anything Virginia spoke.
Her rising color showed how she was
stirred V%irginia's pale, clear com
plexion was that of health, but it was
generally in marked contrast to Rachel's
tropical type of beauty.
Grandmother, you know we prom
isad To make that tha standard of orr