Willmar tribune., 1899-10-18


plans Rollin was apparently entirely
free from embafrassmept in Rachel's
presence while Virginia was With them
only his manner with her was almost
precise, if not cold: The past seemed to
be entirely absorbed ii His wonderful
conversion. He had not forgotten It,
but he seemed to be completely caught
up for this present time in the purpose
o. this new life. = .:.s: g, -
After awhile Rollin wes called out,
md Rachel and Virginia began to talk
e other things ..,s. ~
BY by a.,.sr! ths Wy what at. has be'one Of
Virginia asked the question ainno-
osntly enough. but Rachel blushed, and
Virginia added, with; smile: '.1 sup
pose. he is writing another book. Is he
going to put you into this one, Rachela
You know I always suspected Jasper
Chase Of doing that very thing in bin
first story"
Virginia Rachel spoke with the
erankness that had always existed be-
tween the two friends-"tJasper Chase
told me the other night that he-in fact
he proposed to me-or he would IT,.
Rachel stopped and sat with her
hands clasped on her lap. and there
were tears In her eyes. -
Virginia, / thought little while
ago that I loved him, as he said he
loved me, but when he spoke my heart
felt repelled, and I said what / ought
to have said I told him no. have not
seem him since That was the night Of
! the first conversions at the Rectangle.
II am glad for you. said Virginia
quietly. ,-=
"Why1" asked Rachel. little star
tied
because l have never really liked
Jasper Chase. He is too cold and-I do
not like to judge him, but have al
ways distrusted his sincerity in taking
the pledge at the church with the rest
Rachel looked at Virginia thought
fully.
II have never given my heart to him
am sure. He touched my emotions,
and admired his skill as writer
have thought at times that cared a
good deal for him think perhaps if
he had spoken to me at any other time
than the one he chose could easily
| have persuaded myself that loved him.
but not now" Rachel paused suddenly
and when she looked up at Virginia
again there were tears on her face Vir.
ginia came to her and put her arm
about her tenderly.
" When Rachel had left the house, Vi-
ginia sat in the hall thinking over the
confidence her friend had just shown
her There was something still to be
told, Virginia felt sure from Rachel's
manner, but she did not feel hurt that
Rachel had kept back something She
was simply conscious of more on Ra-
chel's mind than she had revealed
Very soon Rollin. came back, and he
and Virginia. arm in arm as they had
lately been in the habit of doing, walked
up and down the long hall ...
It was easy for their talk to settle
finally upon Rachel because of the place
she was to occupy in the plans which
were being made for the purchase of
the property at the Rectangle
ibid you ever know a girl of such
really gifted powers in vocal music who
vas willing to give her whole life to
he peopla al Rachel is going to dot
The is going to give music lsssons in
| HE city, have private pupils 10 make
her living and then givs the people in
the Rectangle the benefit Of her culture
and her voice ..- IL
"1t is certainly very good example
Of self sacrifice. replied Rollin, little
stiffly
Virginia looked at him a little
sharply. -. . -; .-
"But don't you think it: is very
unusual example7 Can you imagine
here Virginia named half a dozen ia.
nous opera singers-''doing anything
Of this sort2' r.
= mo; I can't. Rollin answered
briefly Neither can imagine Miss
-he spoke the name of the girl with
the red parasol who had begged Vir.
ginia to take the girls to the Rectangle
-"doing what you are doing Vir.
1 ginia~ ~ ~. ,>>. = ..s4'-:-.. =
:->s".Any more than / can imagine Mr..
1 Virginia spoke the name of a young
society leader going about to the
clubs doing your work, Rollin.
The two walked on in silence for the
length Of the hall -
..Coming back to Rachel, i began
Virginia, Rollin, why do you treat
her with such q distant, precise man.
nersF think. Rollin- pardon me if |
hurt you--that she is annoyed by It
You used to be on easy terms. don't
think Rachel likes this change.
i Rollin suddenly stopped He seemed
deeply agitated He took his arm from
4 Virginia s and walked down to the emo
I Of the hall Then he returned. with his
s arms behind him. and, stopping neal
/, his sister. he said Il, I HI .=:sSs5 ssss +
!, '.V irginia, have you not learned ny
8 secret .~ s q ..,. E s {, -" y
!, Virginia looked bewildered.# = Thel
!, over her face the unusual color crept
showing that she understood 5. s. :
s.. have never loved any one but Ra
q chel W inslow 'Ss Rollin spoke calmly
,IEenough now IT hat day she was here
. when you talked about her refusaI Il
u join the concert #compan asked he
!, to be my wife. ont there on the avenue
g She refused me. as knew she would
and she gave a. her reason the fact tha
I, had no purpose il life: which wa
& true enough II NowS that have Il pur
pose now that am 4 new man. don
.fyou see y iirginia, how npossible It'll