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

81
estimated her ability to accomplish an
she thought herself capable Of. And
Virginia-what che had just said smote
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's
grandmother, Mime. Page, a handsome,
stately woman of SIS, 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 growing admiration
for Rachel Wipslow, 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
or 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 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 even the grand
mother had been compelled to acknowl-
edge the girls capacity for taking care
# her own money.
Perhaps two persons could not be
found anywhere less capable of under
standing girl like Virginia than Mme
Page and Rollin. Tachel, who had
known the family sir 3 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 out
break in the front room, she tried to
picture the scene that would at some
time occur between Nine. Page and her
granddaughter.
II 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
eation, which had not been animated.
Rachel colorh 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
"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, I 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"
"1t's great pity. You 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.
80. %w '; .; do you mean by every
"Whom' mean all the people who
hear Miss Winslow on Sunday. What
other time do they hear her? It's
great pity, say, that the general pub
lie outside of Raymond cannot hear her
voice.
''Let US tax about something else,'
said Rachel little sharply. Mme Page
glanced at her and spoke with a gentle
courtesy.
my dear, Rollin never could pay an
Rdirect compliment. He is like his ia
Der in that. But we are all curious to
how something Of your plans. We
claim the right from old acquaintance,
you know. And Virginia had already
told us Of your concert company offer
II supposed, of course, that was pub
lie property" said Virginia., smiling
across the table "It was in The News
yesterday"
Eyes, yes" replied Rachel hastily.
II, 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 de-
cision that would absolutely satisfy her
own Judgment of Jesus probable &C
ton. It 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 FASTENED her Judgment in
the matter.
"Would you mind telling us, Rachel,
your reasons for refusing the offer? It
looks like a good opportunity for
young girl like you. Don't you think
the general public ought to hear your I
feel like Rollin about that. A voice
like yours belongs to a larger audience
than Raymond and the First church,
Rachel Winslow was naturally 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
n1llSive fh0r ohHfn1 franz Truthful ~.