St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-09-13

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 por-
ton was, without any restriction, her
own. She had been trained by her ia
ther to under Aand 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 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 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
sation, which had not been animated.
Rachel colored 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.
ooh, we hear thing Or two on the
str~e$ 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, | 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 Tn not going or
the stage -
"It's great pity. You make a 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
body?'
Whom? | mean all the people who
hear Miss Winslow on Sunday What
other time do they hear her? It's a
great pity, say, that the general pub
lie outside of Raymond cannot hear her
voice
"Let us tsi:1 about something else,
said Rachel 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 fa-
Their in that But we are all curious to
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
81 supposed, of course, that was pub
lie property, said Virginia, smiling
across the table at was in The News
yesterday. "
eyes, yes, replied Rachel hastily.
81 understand that, Nine Page. Well,
Virginia and have been talking about
it. l 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 hel
own Judgment of Jesus probable &C
ton. 1t had Geen the last thing in the
world, however, that she had desired t.
have her decision made in any way 81
public as this. Somehow what Rollil
Page had said and his manner in say
ing it had FASTENED her Judgment il
the matter.
"Would you mind telling us, Rachel
your reasons for refusing the offer2 L
looks like a good opportunity for {
young girl like you. Don't you thinl
the general public ought to hear your
feel like Rollin about that. A voic
, like yours belongs to larger audience
, than Raymond and the First church. "
Rachel Winslow was naturally cir
{ of great reserve, She shrank from max
| ing her plans or her thoughts public
: But with all her repression there wa
possible in her an occasional suddel
, breaking out that was simply an i'm
! pulsive, thoughtful, frank truthful OK
preston of her most inner personal feel
= ing. She spoke now in reply to Nine
Page in one of those rare moments o
, unreserve that added to the attractive
| ness Of her whole character,
a II have no other reason than con
viction that Jesus would do the sam
p thing, she said, looking in Nine
@ Pages eyes with clear, earnest gaze,
b Nine Page turned red, and Rolf
8 stared. Before her grandmother coul
: say anything Virginia spoke
a Her rising color showed how she wa
I stirred Virginia's pale, clear com
plexion was that of health, but it wa
n generally in marked contrast to Rachel
t tropical type of beauty.
q Grandmother, you know we prom
4 Used to make that the standard of on
IA