The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-11-22

"No!'' said Racnei. 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 a word They We're nearing Rachel, 5
home. and she. was anxious to end the
scene
As they turned of .he avenue into
one Of the Quiet streets Rollin spoke
suddenly and with more mallliness than
he had Yet shown. There was q distinct
note OF dignity IN his voice that was
new 10 Rachel.
Miss Winslow, I ask you to be my
wife. Is there any hope for me that you
will ever consent?
None in the least. Rachel spoke
decidedly
"Wi}l you tell me Why" He asked
the question as if he had a right to a
truthful answer.
"I do not feel toward you as 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 I cannot. .
s.Why?" That was another question,
and Rachel was a little surprised that
he should ask IL
because She hesitated for fear
she might say too much in an attempt
4o eoool- +bo ovact. tr17fh
e'Tell me just why. You cant 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 your time in club
life, in amusements, in travel, IN lux
ury. What is there in such life to at
tract a woman p
.-Not much, guess, y said Rollin,
with a little laugh. "Still, don't
know that I 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 gravely 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. What purpose 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 a 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 Rollln.
asked again if she had any very great
purpose in life herself? What would
Jesus do? There was fortune IN her
voice. She knew it, not necessarily as
a matter Of personal pride or profes-
sional egotism, but simply as 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 al,
+Lo,, po11i,, Docra liyaI for
She sat in her room q long tine ana
finally went down st2irs resolved to
have a frank talk with her n2otae,.
about the concert co1npany's offer ard
he~ new plan. which was s,:aT::77as;H'
shaping in her mind. She had ALREADY
had one talk With her mother AID knew
that she expected; Rachel TO accept re
offer and enter on :. Successful career as
public singer.
Mother. = Rachel said. coming at
once to the point. as much as she dread
ed the interviews. Il have decided not
to 60 out with the company. | have
good reason for ii.
Mrs. Winslow was large. handsome
woman, fond of much company. ambl-
tious for distinct place in society ard
devoted. according to her definitions of
success, to the success Of her children
Her Youngest boy, Lewis, ten years
Younger than Rachel, was ready to
graduate from military academy IN
the summer. Meanwhile she and Rachel
were at home together. Rachel s father,
like yirginia's $, had died while the fam
ily were abroad Like Virginia, she
found herself. under her present rule OF
conduct, in complete antasoniSm with
her own immediate home circle.
Mrs. Winslow waited for Rachel to
go on.
s.You know the promise I made two
weeks ago. mother =
Mr.. Maxwell's promise %
"No, mine. You know what It was.
motheT:' %
Il suppose 1 DO. Of course all the
church members mean toimitate Christ
and follow him as far as is consistent
with our present day surro- ndings. But