Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1900-09-23
generally in marked contrast to Rachel's s

generally in marked contrast to Rachel's 8 tropical type of beauty
 Grandmother. you know we prom ised to make that the standard of our conduct for a year. Mr Maxwell's 8 proposition was plain to all who heard it. We have not been able to arrive at our decisions very rapidly The diff culty in knowing what Jesus would do has perplexed Rachel and me good deal '
 Mme. Page looked sharply at Vir- ginia before she said anything.
 ssOf course I understand Mir. Max wells statement. 1t is perfectly im- practicable to put it into practice. I felt confident at the time that those who promised would find it out after trial and abandon it as visionary and absurd. 1 have nothing to say about Miss Winslow's affairs, but she paused and continued with a sharpness that was new to Rachel-"I hope you have no foolish notions in this matter, Virginia. ?
 s'I have a great many notions, J re- piled Virginia quietly. Whether they are foolish or net depends upon my right understanding of what he would do. As soon as I find out shall do it. "
 s.Excuse me. ladies. said Rollin. rising from the table. 'sThe conversa- tion is getting beyond my depth. shall retire to the library for cigar. ,
 He went out of the dining room, and there was silence for a moment. Mime. Page waited until the servant had brought in something and then asked her to go out. She was angry. and her anger was formidable, although checked in some measure by the presence of Rachel.
 .I am older by several years than you, young ladies, sue said, and her traditional type of bearing seemed to Rachel to rise up like great frozen wall between her and every conception of Jesus as 6 sacrifice. .'What you have promised in spirit of false emotion, I presume, is Impossible of performance.
 aDo you mean, grandmother, that we cannot possibly act as Jesus would, or do you mean that if we try to we shall offend the customs and prejudices of society r asked Virginia.
 ssIt is not required. It is not neces- sary. Besides, how can you act with any
 Mme. Page paused. broke off her sen tenee and then turned to Rachel
 'sWhat will your mother say to your decision? My dear, is 1t not foolish2 What do yon expect to do with your voice anyway 7"
 ssI don t know what mother will say yet, Rachel answered. with great shrinking eEaaa trying to give her moth- sr's probable answer. If there was 8 woman in all Raymond with great am bitions for her daughters s success as a singer, Mrs Winslow was that woman
 "0h, you will see it in different light after wise thought of itl My dear. continued Mime. Page. rising from the fable, you will live to regret 1t if you do not accept the concert com pany' y's offer or something like itt. .
 Rachel said something that contained hint of the struggle she was still hay ing, and after a little she went away, feeling that her departure was to be followed by painful conversation be tween EirRinia ar9 her grandmother. As she afterward learned Virginia passed through crisisof feeling during that scene with her grandmother that hastened her final decision as to the use of her money and her social position.
 Rachel WIS glad to escape and be by herself. A plan was slowly forming in her mind, and she wanted to be alone to think it out carefully. But before she had walked two blocks she was an noyed to find Rollin Page walking be- side her,
 s.Sorry to disturb your thought, Miss Winslow, but I happened to be going your way and had an idea you might not object. In fact, I've been walking here for whole hlock, and you haven't objected :
 T did not see you, replied Rachel
 II wouldn' t mind that if you only thought of me once in awhile, said Rollin suddenly. He took one last nerv- ous puff of his cigar, tossed it into the street and walked along with pale face.
 Rachel was surprised, but not star tied She had known Rollin as boy, and there had been time when they had used each other first name famil- iarly Lately however, something in Rachel's manner had put an end to that. She was used to his direct att tempts at compliment and was some times amused by them. Today she hon. estly wished him anywhere else.
 .'Do you ever think of me, Mics Winslow f'' asked Rollin after pause
 ssOh, yes, quite often I" said Rachel, with smile.
 "Are you thinking Of me now?"
 "Yes, that is-yes, l am.
 "What?'
 'sDo you want me to be absolutely truthful2
 "Of course. '