Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-09-07
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
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IN HIS STEPS.
. Daf,at qa1nuln
5ssua Bn?''
Copyrighted and published IN book form bv the
Adndncc Publishing Co. of Chicago.


Rachel with great force because Of the
similar position in which the two
friends found themselves
Lunch was announced, and they
went out and were Joined by Virginia 3
grandmother, Nine Page, handsome,
stately woman Of e5, and Virginia's
brother, Rollin.' young man who
spent most Of his time at, one Of the
clubs and had no particular ambition
for 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 8 father had been bank
er and grain speculator. Her mother
had died ten years before, her father
within the past year. The grandmother,
q 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 8 por-
ton 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 q 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 Virginiats ont
break in the front room, she tried to
picture the scene that would at some
time occur between Mime. Page and her
granddaughter. "A
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 CONVEX
tstion. which had not been animated.
Rachel celored and felt annoyed.
Who told your" she asked. while
Virginia. who had been very silent and
reserved, suddenly reused herself and
appeared rsady to join in the talk.
"Oh, we hear 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, 1 know other
people who don't either, not when
there's something better to hear"
Rachebdid not color this time, but
she answered quietly:
You re mistaken. I'm not going on
the stage. .
.'It's great pity. You'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
bodyG,. .
"Whoms 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 teak about something else, y
said Rachel a little sharply. Nine Page
glanced at her and spoke with gentle
courtesy.
"My dear, Rollin never could pay an
! indirect compliment. He is like his ia
ther in that. But we are all curious tc
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
II supposed, Of course, that was pub
lie property" said Virginia smiling
across the table. Tt was in The News
yesterday. :"
"Yes, yes replied Rachel hastily.
IT understand that. Nine Page. Well,
Virginia and have been talking about
| it. l have decided not to accept, and
that is as far ms / have gone yet. y
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 tofa dc,
cision that would absolutely satisfy he,
jsown Judgment of Jesus probable ac
tion. It had been the last thing in the
world, however. that she had desired tt
i have her decision made in any way sc
! public as this. Somehow what Rollir
Page had said and his manner in say
ing it had hastened her Judgment il
the matter.
'Would you mind telling us, Rachel
your reasons for refusing the ofFers II
/ looks like q good opportunity for {
| young girl like you. Don't you thinl
the general public ought to hear you?
feel like Rollin about that. A voice
like yours belongs to a larger audience
than Raymond and the First! church =
Rachel Winslow was naturally CIR
of great reserve. She shrank from max