Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-10-11

|
the familiarity of the family acquaint-
ance. 1T is impossible. - She was still
little agitated by the fact of receiving
a proposal of marriage on the avenue,
but the noise OH the street and side
walk made the conversation as private
"a if they were in the house.
"Would you-that is-do you think
If you gave ME time l would"--
"No!" said Rachel. She spoke firm
". 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 manlincss than
he had vet shown There was distinct
note of dignity in his voice that was
new to Rachel.
Miss Willslow, I ask you to be my
wife. Is there any hope for me that you
will ever consrntY'
"Nonc in the least. Rachel spoke
decidedly.
"Will you tell me why2" He asked
the question as if he had a right to a
truthful answer.
81 do not feel toward you rs a wom-
an ought to feel toward the man she
ought to marry.
"In other words, you do not love
me?'
81 do not, and l cannot y
"WhyP" That was another question,
and Rachel was q 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.
Tell 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
better? You spend yonr time in club
life, in amusempnts, in travel, in lux
ury. What is there in such life to at
tract a womanT'
mot much, I guess, said Rollin,
with little laugh "Still, 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 gravcly 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
the very Judgment she had passed on
Rollin Page. Nnat lurln'>r 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 Il year. She was
we'll 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 Il fortune in her
voice. She knew it. not necessarily as
matter of personal pride or profess
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 Rollin Page lived for?
She sat in her room Il long time and
finally went down stairs resolved to
have frank talk with her mother
about the concert colnpany's offer and
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 the
offer and enter on Il successful career as
Il public singer.
"Muthrr, Rachel said, coming at
once to the point. as much as she dread
cd the interview. II have decided not
to 20 ont with tho company. l have
good reason for it.
Mrs. WinSlow was large. handsome
woman fond uf much company. ambi-
tious for Il distinct place i'll society and
devoted, according to her definitions of
success, tu the success of her children.
Her Youngest hoy, Lewis, ten years
Younger than Rachel, WAS ready to
graduate from military academy i'll
the summer. Meanwhile she and Rachel
were ut home together. Rachel father,
| like Eirginia's. had died while the FAM
ily were abroad. Like Virginia. she
found herself, under her present rule "f
conduct. in complete antagoniSm with
her own Immediate home circle.
Mrs WinSlow waited for Rachel to
20 on.
"Ynn know the promise l made two
weeks ago. mntl,r?''
"Mr. Maxwrll's prOmisr?'
"No. mine Yuu know what 1t was.
Mother"
Il suplms" do. OF course all the
church mrnhrrS mean tu initiate Christ
and follow him us far as is consistent
with "ur present day surroundings. But
what has that t" do with ynur decision
in the concert rnnpany's mattrrT'
1T has everything to do with it.
After asking. What would Jesus dor
and going to the source of authority for