Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1899-12-21

ON the course which she honestly be
heved 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.
Il understand that you are going on
the stage, hiss Winslow. We shall all
be delighted. I'm sure, said Rollin
during one of the pauses in the conver-
sation. which had not been animated
Rachel c,lored ard felt annoyed
WHO told your She asked, while
Virginia. who had been very silent and
reserved, suddenly rorscd herself and
appeared ready to join in the talk.
"Oh, VIC 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, | 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
Its great pity. You'd 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?' a."
Whom? l mean all the people who
hear Miss Winslow on Sunday. What
other time do they hear her? It's q
great pity, say. that the general pub
lie outside of Raymond cannot hear her
voice"
"Let us tsHl about something else,
said Rachel little sharply. Nine Page
glanced at her and spoke with a gentle
courtesy.
"My dear, Rollin never could pay an
indirect compliment. He is like his ia
ther 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. "
81 supposed of course, that was pub
Nc property" said Virginia, smiling
across the table. cit was in The News
yesterday.
Eyes, yes, 4" 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 a de-
cision that would absolutely satisfy her
own Judgment Of Jesus probable ac-
tion. 1t had Eeen 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 hastened her Judgment in
the matter.
"Would you mind telling us, Rachel
your reasons for refusing the offer? 1t
looks like a good opportunity for
young girl like you. Don't you think
the general public ought to hear you? 1
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 inn
pulsive, thoughtful, frank, truthful ex-
preston of her most inner personal feel
ing. She spoke now in reply to Nine.
Page in one of those rare moments Of
unreserve that added to the attractive
ness of her whole character.
81 have no other reason than a CON
viction that Jesus would do the same
thing" she said, looking in Mime.
Pages eyes with a clear, earnest gaze.
Nine. Page turned red, and Rollin
stared Before her grandmother could
say anything Virginia spoke.
Her rising color showed how she was
stirred Virginia's pale, clear com
plexion was that of health, but it was
generally in marked contrast to Rachel's
tropical type of beauty.
Grandmother, you know we prom
ised to make that the standard Of our
conduct for a year. Mr.. Maxwell's
proposition was plain to all who heard
it. We have not been able to arrive at
our decisions very rapidly. The diff
Guilty in knowing what Jesus would do
has perplexed Rachel and me good
deal D."
Nine. Page looked sharply at Vir-
ginia before she said anything.
"Of course / understand Mr.. Max
wells statement 1t is perfectly i'm
practicable to put it into practice.
felt confident at the time that those
who promised would find it out after n
trial and abandon it as visionary and
absurd. l have nothing to say about
Miss Winslow's affairs, but'-she
paused and continued with a sharpness
that was new to Rachel-"I hope you
have no foolish notions in this matter.
Virginia
Il have a great many notions, re-
piled Virginia quietly. whether they
are foolish or not depends upon my
right understanding of what he would
do. As soon as l find out l shall do it. .
Excuse me, ladies' said Rollin,
rising from the table 1.-The conversa-
ton is getting beyond my depth. l
shall retire to the library for n cigar.
He went out Of the dining room, and
there was silence for moment. Nine.
Page waited until the servant had
brought in something and then asked
her to go out. She was angry, and her
anger was formidable, although checked
IN some measure by the presence of
Rachel.
II am older by several years than
you, young ladies, " she said, and her
traditional type of bearing seemed to
Rachel TO rise up like a great frozen
wall between her and every conception
of Jesus as a sacrifice. "What you have
promised in a spirit of false emotion, l
presume, is impossible Of performance. "
''Do you mean, grandmother, that
we cannot possibly act as Jesus would,
or do you mean that if we try TO we
shall offend the customs and prejudices
Of society" asked Virginia.
'It is not required 1t is not neces-
sary. Besides. how can you act with
any
Mime. Page paused, broke off her sen
tence and then turned to Rachel.
"What will your mother say to your
decision? My dear is it not foolish
What do you expect to do with your
voice anyway"