Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1900-09-23

 mined to say something, and Rachel seemed helpless to prevent him. After all, she thought, he might as well know the truth one time as another.
 sYou know well enough, Rachel. how feel toward you. Isn't there any hope2 I could make you happy. I've loved you good many years =
 Why, how old do you think am 2'' broke in Rachel, with nervous laugh She was shaken out of her usual poise of manner.
 .eYou know what I mean, " went on Rollin doggedly, and you have no right to laugh at me just because I want you to marry me .
 s'I'm not, but it is useless for you to speak -Rollin. " said Rachel after a lit fle hesitation and then using his name in such frank, simple way that he could attach no meaning to it beyond the familiarity of the family acquaint- ance. s.It is impossible She was still a little agitated by the fact of receiving a proposal of marriage on the avenue, but the noise on the street and side- walk made the conversation as private as if they were in the house.
 ssWould you-that is-do you think if you gave me time l would o-
 ..NoP' said Rachel. She spoke firm ly. 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 were nearing Rachel s home, and she was anxious to end the scene.
 As they turned off the avenue into one of the quiet streets Rollin spoke suddenly and with more manliness than he had yet shown. There was a distinct note of dignity in his voice that was new to Rachel
 "Miss Winslow, ask you to be my wife. Is there any hope for me that you will ever consent2''
 '.None ID the least. . Rachel spoke decidedly.
 "Will you tell me why2" He asked the question as if he had right to truthful answer.
 "I do not feel toward you as wom- an ought to feel toward the man she ought to marry
 "In other words, you do not love me9''
 .sI do not. and cannot.
 tWhy r That WAS another question, and Rachel was httle surprised that he should ask it.
 Because '-- She hesitated for fear she might say too much i'll an attempt to speak the exact truth.
 ''Tell me just why You can't hurt me more than ysa have done already. .
 "Well, I 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 anlusements in travel, in lux ury. What is there in such q life to att tract a woman
 Not mpeh, I guess, said Rollin, with q litt3e laugh. Still, I don't know that l am any worse than the rest of the men around me. I m not SO bad as some. Glad to know your fea- son
 He suddenly stopped, took off his hat, bowed gravely and turned back. Rachel went on home and hurried into her room, distai9e n many ways by tho 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 Sine had come home to Ray mond and had been singing in the First church choir now for 9 year. She was well paid Up to that Sunday two weeks ago she had been quite satisfied with herself and her position She had shared her mother s ambition and anticipated growing triuInphs in the musical world. What possib 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 Rollin, asked again if she had any very great purpose in life herselft What would Jesus do? There was fortune in her voice. She knew 1t, not necessarily as 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 a much higher purpose. after all. than Rollin Page lived fors
 She sat in her room long time and finally went down stairs resolved to have a frank talk with her mother about the concert company's offer and her new plan, which was gradually shaping in her mind. She had already had one talk with her mother and knew that she expected Rachel to accept the offer and enter on successful career a public singer.
 Mother, Rachel said, coming at once to the point. as much as she dread 1l <1 s3T lz15