Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1899-08-30
home; and she was anxious to end the

home; and she was anxious to end the
scene - MI #&5. ss= =ssa sa:*5-:
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
rote of dignity in his voice that was
new to Rachel. i-.5~.
| miss Winslow, ask you to be my
wife. Is there any hope for me that you
will ever consent p
''None in the least Rachel spoke
decidedly.
"Will you tell me why?' He asked
the question as if he had a right to a
truthful answer.
II do not feel toward you as a wom-
an ought to feel toward the man she
ought to marry"
''1n other words, you do not love
me?"
| II do not, and cannot.'
"Why?" That was another question,
ana Rachel was little surprised that
he: should ask it.
*Because''- She hesitated for fear
she might say too much in an attempt
to speak the exact truth.
'"Tel me just why. You can't hurt
me more than you have done already"
''Well, don't and can't love you
because you have no purpose in life.
What do you ever do to make the world
better7 You spend your time in club
life, in amusements, in travel, in lux
ury. What is there in such life to at
tract woman?''
"Not much, guess" said Rollin,
with little laugh. "Stin, I DON t
know that l 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 in many ways by the
event which had SO unexpectedly thrust
itself into her experience.
When she had time to think it all
over, she found herself condemned by
tho very Judgment she had passed on
Rollin Page. What purpose had she in
life? She had been abroad and studied
music with one Of the famous teachers
of Europe. She had come home to Ray
mond and had been singing in the First
church choir now for year. She was
well paid. Up to that Sunday two weeks
ago she had been quite satisfied with
herself and her position She had shared
her mothers ambition and anticipated
growing triumphs in the musical world.
What possible career was before her ex.
cept the regular career Of every singer
She asked the question again and, in
the light Of her recent reply to Rollin,
asked again if she had any very great
purpose in life herself? What would
Jesus do? There was fortune in he1
voice. She knew it, not necessarily al
a matter Of personal pride or profes
sional egotism, but simply as a fact
and she was obliged to acknowledge
that until two weeks ago she had pur
posed to use her voice to make money
and win admiration and applause Was
that much higher purpose, after ALL
than Rolin Page lived fort
She sat in her room long time an6
finally went down stairs resolved tt
have a frank talk with her mother
about the concert company's offer an6
her new plan, which was gradually
shaping in her mind. She had already
had one talk with her mother and knew
that she expected Rachel to. accept thu
offer and enter on successful career a.
public singer.
Mother" Rachel said, coming al
once to the point, as much as she dread
ed the interview, II have decided not
to go out with the company. have 6
good reason for it,
Mrs. Winslow was large, handsome
ioman, fond of much company, ambi
pus for distinct place in society anc
Bvoted, according to her definitions Of
ccess, to the success of her children
Her youngest boy, Lewis, ten years
younger than Rachel, was ready tx
graduate from "a military academy IL
the summer. Meanwhile she and Rache
were at home together. Rachel's father
like Virginia's, had died while the fam
ily were abroad. Like Virginia, sht
found herself, under her present rule o.
conduct, in complete antagonism with
her own immediate home circle
Mrs. Winslow waited for Rachel tx
go on.
'You know the promise made two
weeks ago, mother?''
tSMr Mo~1,o11So ,o,o,>,:co
"No, mine. You know what it was
mother?''
II suppose do. Of course all thu
church members mean to initiate Chris
and follow him as far as is consistent
with our present day surroundings. Blu
what has that to do with your decision
in the concert company''s matter?''
1T has everything to do with it
After asking, 'What would Jesus do ?
and going to the source Of authority TO-
wisdom I have been obliged to say tina
do not believe he would in my cast
make that use Of my voice.
"WhyP Is there anything wrong
about such career?''
''No; I don't know that can sa!
there is. -
''Do you presume to sit in> judgmen
on other people who go out to sing il
this way? Do you presume to say tina
they are doing what Christ would no
do?''
"Mother, I wish you to understand
me. I judge no one else. I condemn n,
other professional singers. I simply de
eide my own course. As look at it,
have a conviction that Jesus would d,