Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1899-12-21

R2tOel said something that contained
hint of the struggle she was still hav-
ine, and after little she went away,
feeling that her departure was to be
followed bya painful conversation be
tween Virginia and her grandnother.
As she afterward learned. Virginia
passed through crisis of feeling durAA
that scene with her grandmother tk5N
FASTENED her final decision as 10 the use
of her money and her social position.
Rachel was glad to escape and be by
herself. \ plan was slowly forming in
her mind, ana shs 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 l 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't
objected. 3"
Il did not see you, - replied Rachsl
81 wouldn't mind that if you oily
thought of me once in awhile, " said
Rollin suddenly. He took one last nerv
! Gus puff of his cigar, tossed 1t into the
| street and walked along with q 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 other 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 sozne
times amused by them. Today she hon
estly wished him anywhere else.
'Do you ever think of me, Miss
Winslow2' asked Rollin after pause
"Oh, yes, quite oftenp' said Rachel,
with smile.
care you thinking Of me nowf"
eyes, that is-yes, l am"
"What?''
"Do you want me to be absolutely
truthful
''Of course
''Then l 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 l? OF course we used to get on
very well 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
nad 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 Rolln and
bowed as he went by. Rollin was
watching Rachel closely.
Il wish were Jasper Chase. Maybe
I'd stand some show then" he said
moodily.
Rachel colored in spite of herself
She did not say any thing and quickened
her pace little. Rollin seemed deter
mined to say something, and Rachel
seemed helpless to prevent him. After
all, she thought, he might as well know
the truth one time as another.
"You know well enough, Rachel
how feel toward you. Isn't there any
hope? could make you happy. I've
loved you a good many years
"Why, how old do you think am =
broke in Rachel, with nervous laugh.
She was shaken out of her usual poise
of manner.
Rollin doggedly, land you have no
right to laugh at me just because 1
want you to marry me. "
"I'm not, but it is useless for you to
speak-Rollin, said Rachel after n lit
tie hesitation and then using his name
in such frank, simple way that he
could attach no meaning to 1t beyond
the familiarity of the family acquaint-
ance. cit is impossible. She was still
a little agitated by the fact of receiving
proposal of marriage on the avenue,
but the noise ON the street and side
walk made the conversation az private
as if they were in the house.
"Would you-that is--do you think
if you gave me time would
"NoW said Rachel She spoke firm
ly. Perhaps, she thought afterward, al
though she did not mean to, she spoke
harshly
They walked on for some time with
out word. They were nearing Rachel's
home, and she was anxious to end the
scene.
As they turned off the avenue into
one of the quiet streets Rollin spoke
suddenly and with more manliness than
he had yet shown. There was distinct
note of dignity in his voice that was
new to Rachel
Miss Winslow, ask you to be my
wife. Is there any hope for me that yo1
will ever consent2''
decidedly
"Will you tell me whyH" He asked
the question as if he had right to a
truthful answer.
81 do not feel toward you as a wom-
an ought to feel toward the man she
ought to marry"
"In other words, You do not love
me2'
81 do not, and cannot.
"Why2" That was another question,
and Rachel was little surprised that
he should ask it.
"Because"- She hesitatedifUr fear
she might say TOO much in an attempt
to speak the exact truth.
''Tell me just why You can't hurt
me more than you have done already.
"Wel, ! don't sad can't love yon
because you have no purpose in life,
What do you ever do to make the world
better2 You spend your time in club
life, in arGGaeIuents, in travel, in luz
ury Nnas as there in such a life TO at
tract p. ,-,4 any'
''.. ID ch, | guess" said Rollin.
with l.,lc laugh. ''Still, l don't
know lat | am any worse than the
rest Of the men around me. I'm not so
bad as some. Glad to know your rea-
son.
He suddenly stopped, took off his hat,
bowed gravely and turned back. Rachel
went on home and hurried into her
room, disturbed III many ways by the
event which had so unexpectedlythrust
itself into her experience
When she had time to think 1t all