Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-09-14

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 understand the ways of the
business world, and even the grand
mother had been compelled to acknowl-
rdgc the girl 5 capacity for taking care
Df 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 a 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-
licvod Jesus would take. Today ut
lunch, as she recalled Nirginia'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 CONVEX
sation, which had not been animated.
Rachel coloryd and felt annoyed.
"Who told you?' she asked while
Virginia. who had been very silent and
reser-'e ed, 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 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"
cts great pity. You'd make hit.
Every body is talking about Your sing
ing
This time Rachel flushed with genu-
inc anger.
Before she could say anything Vir-
GINA broke in.
Whom do you mean by every
body "
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 MS task 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 ia 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. !"
II 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 We'll,
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 companys offer down to de-
cision that would absolutely satisfy her
own Judgment of Jesus probable ac-
ton. 1t had been 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 FASTENED her Judgment in
the matter.
Would You mind telling us, Rachel,
your reasons for refusing the offer? 1t
looks like a good opportunity for a
young girl like you. Don't you think
the general public ought to hear you?
feel like ROllin about that A voice
like yours belongs to larger audience
than Raymond and the First church. "
Rachel Winslow was naturally girl
of great reserve, She shrank from maxi
ing her plars 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
Il have no other reason than a con
viction that Jesus would do the SAME
thing, she said looking in Nine
Pages eyes with clear, earnest gaze.
Nine Page turned red, and Rollir
stared, Before her grandmother coul(
say anything Virginia spoke,
Her rising color showed how she wa
stirred Virginia's pale, clear com
pleXion was that of health, but it wa
generally in marked contrast to Rachel
tropical type of beauty,
Grandmother, you know we prom
ised to make that the standard Of on
conduct for a year Mr.. Maxwell
proposition was plain TO all who hearC
it. We have not been able to arrive a
our decisions very rapidly. The diff
Guilty in knowing what Jesus would d.
has perplexed Rachel and me goo'
deal.
Nine. Page looked sharply at Vir
, ginia before she said anything.
, ''Of course l understand Mr.. Max
, wells statement. 1t is perfectly i'm
practicable to put it into practice.
, felt confident at the time that thos
x,,b,, y,ro,nicoJ mould RnI - o,,t of+o.