The true northerner., 1899-11-08

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clubs and had no particular ambition
for anything but growing admiration
for Rachel Winslow. and whenever she
dined or lunched at the Page mansion.
if he knew of it, he always planned to
be at home.
These three made up the Page fam
lily. Virginia father had been bank
er and grain speculator Her mother
had died ten years before. her father
within the past year The grandmother
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
I 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 S por-
tion was. without any restriction. her
own She had been trained by her fa-
ther TO understand 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 a girl like Virginia than Nine
Page and Rollin Rachel. who had
known the family since she was girl
playmate of Virginia 5. 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'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, Miss 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 colored and felt annoyed
''Who told you? p she asked. while
Virginia. who had been very silent and
reserved, suddenly reused herself and
appeared ready TO join in the talk.
"Oh. we hear a 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 VITO 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
bodyg' "
Whom? l mean all the people who
hear Miss Winslow on Sunday What
other time do they hear herr It's a
great pity, l say, that the general pub
lie outside of Raymond cannot hear her
voice
"Let us tax about something else, E"
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-
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. ."
Il supposed, of course. that was pub
lie property, said Virginia, smiling
across the table 1T was in The News
yesterday.
Eyes. yes. replied Rachel hastily.
Il understand that, Nine. Page Well,
Virginia and have been talking about
it. / 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 her
own judgment of Jesus probable ac-
/ tion. 1t had been the last thing in the
world, however, that she had desired to
have her decision made in any way so
/ dS bIllS. OOUltuOW WIldb
/ 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 offer2 1t
looks like good opportunity for a
/ young girl like you. Don't you think
the general public ought to hear your
/ feel like Rollin about that. A voice
like yours belongs to a larger audience
than Raymond and the First church. Z"
Rachel Winslow was naturally a 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 i'm
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 con-
] viction that Jaeua xvou1d do tho eorna