Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1900-02-12


,ps.110S614H&9 3H3.44<.1o<Hsr34
''Let US tes.z about something else, -
said Rachel little sharply. Nine. Page
glanced at her and spoke with a gentle
courtesy.
my dear, Ro1lin never could pay an
indirect compliment. He is like his ia
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. -
81 supposed, of course, that was pub
lie property" said Virginia, smiling
across the table cit was in The News
yesterday
eyes, yes,' replied Rachel hastily.
ST understand that, Nine. Page. Well,
Virginia and I have been talking about
it. 1 have decided not to accept, and
that is as far as L 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 a de-
cision that would absolutely satisfy her
own judgment of Jesus probable &C
ton. It 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
young girl like you. Don't you think
the general public ought to hear your I
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 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.
unreserve that added to the attractive
ness of her whole character.
81 have no other reason than con-
viction that Jesus would do the same
thing she said, looking in Nine,
Pages eyes with a clear, earnest gaze.
Nine. Page turned red, and ROllin
stared. Before her grandmother could
say anything Virginia spoke.
Her rising color showed how she was
stirred. Virginia's pale, clear COM
plexion was that of health, but it was
generally in marked contrast to Rachels
tropical type of beauty.
''Grandmother, you know we prom
ised to make that the standard of our
conduct for year. Mr.. Maxwell's
proposition was plain TO all who heard
it. We have not been able to arrive at
our decisions very rapidly. The diff
Guilty in knowing what Jesus would do
has perplexed Rachel and me a good
deal
Nine. Page looked sharply at Vir-
ginia before she said anything.
''Of course I understand Mr. Max
wells statement It is perfectly i'm
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. I have nothing to say about
Miss Winslow's affairs, but she
paused and continued with sharpness
that was new to Rachel-'I hope you
have no foolish notions in this matter,
Virginia.
81 have q great many notions, re-
piled Virginia quietly. 'Whether they
are foolish or not depends upon my
right understanding of what he would
do AS soon as find out shall do it. -
excuse me, ladies' said Rollin,
Jr1c f101 hn foI 10 N1o
ton is getting beyond my depth. I
shall retire to the library for cigar. -
He went out of the dining room, and
there was silence for a moment. Nine
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.
81 am older by several years than
you, young ladies', she said, and her
traditional type of bearing seemed to
Rachel to rise up like a great frozen
wall between her and every conception
of Jesus as a sacrifice. |'What you have
promised in a spirit of false emotion, [
presume, is impossible of performance.
''Do 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?' asked Virginia.
cit is not required. It is not neces-
sary. Besides how can you act with
any
Nine. Page paused, broke off her SEN
tence and then turned to Rachel
"What will your mother say to your
decision? My dear, is it not foolish?
What do you expect to do with your
voice anyway?''