The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1899-11-09


men, their good and bad qualities.
have been one Of them. am not fitted
to reach the Rectangle people. / do not
know how But / think could possibly
reach some Of these young men and
boys who have money and time to
spend. So that is what l have been
trying to do. When l asked, as you
did, What would Jesus dog' that was
my answer. 1t has been also my
cross.
Rollins voice was so low on tho last
sentence that Rachel had difficulty in
hearing him above the noise around
them, but she know what he had said
She wanted to AS; what his methods
We're. but she did Eot know just how to
ask him. Her interest in his plans was
larger than mere curiosity. Rollin Page
was SO different now from the fashion
able young man who had asked her TO
be his wife that ,hc Could rot help
thinking of him and talking with him
as if he We're entirely II new acquaint-
anCe.
They had turned off the avenue and
were going up the street to Rachel :
home. II was the same street where
Rollin had asked Rachel why She could
not love him. They were both stricken
Ivy sudden shyness as they went on.
Rachel had not forgotten that day, and
Rollin could not forget it. She finally
broke long silence by asking him what
she had not found words for before
In your work for the clubmcn, with
your old acquaintanccs what sort Of
reception do they give you? Eow DO
You approach them2 What co they
sayY"
Rollin was silent when Rachel spoke
He answered after n moment:
"Oh, it depends on the mani A good
many Of them think | am u crank.
have kept my membership up and am
in good standing in that way. | try to
be wise and not provoke any unneccs-
sary criticism, but You would be sur
prised to know how many of the men
have responded to my appeal. | could
hardly make you believe that only a
few nights ago a dozen men became
honestly and earnestly engaged in a
conversation over religious questions.
| have had the great joy of seeing some
of the men give up bad habits and be-
gin new life. What would Jesus doY'
! keep asking it. The answer comes
slowly, for i am feeling my way along.
One thing | have found out-the men
are not fighting shy Of me. | think
that is a good sign. Another thing
have actually interested some of them
in the Rectangle work, and when it is
started up they will give something to
help make it more powerful, and, in
addition to all the rest, | have found a
way to save some of the young fellows
from going to the bad in gambling"
Rollin spoke with enthusiasm. His
face was transformed by his interest in
the subject which had now become a
part of his real life. Rachel again noted
the strong, manly, healthful tone of
his speech. With it all she knew was a
deep, underlying seriousness which felt
the burden Of the cross even while car
rying it with joy. The next time she
spoke it was with swift feeling of
justice due to Rollin and his new life.
"Do you remember reproached you
once for not having any purpose worth
living for 7" she asked while her beau
tiful face seemed to Rollin more beau
tiful than ever when he had won sutfi-
cient self control to look up. II want
to say | feel the need of saying, in JUS
tice to you now, that | honor you for
your courage ard your obedience to
your promise. The life you are living
now is very noble one. "
Rollin trembled. His agitation was
greater than he could control Rachel
could not help seeing it. They walked
along in silence. At last Rollin said
~ thank you. 1t has been more than
I can tell to hear you say that" He
looked into her face for one moment
She read his love for her in that look,
but he did not speak.
When they separated Rachel went
into the house. and, sitting down in
her room, she put her face in her hands
and said to herself: 81 am beginning
to know what it means to be loved by
a noble man. / shall love Rollin Page,
after all. What am l saylngY Rachel
Winslow, have you forgotten
She rose and walked back and forth.
She was deeply moved. Nevertheless it
was evident to herself that her emotion
was not that Of regret or sorrow. Some
how glad, new joy had come to her.
She had entered another circle Of ex
perience, and later in the day she re-
joiced with very strong and sincere
gladness that her Christian discipleship
found room for this crisis in her feel
ing 1t was indeed part Of it, for if
she were beginning to love Rollin it
was the Christian man who had won
her heart. The other never would have
moved her to this great change.
And Rollin as he went back treasured
a hope that had been stranger to him
since Rachel had said no that day. In
that hope ne went on with his work as
the days sped on, and at no time was