CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 16
No one in all Raymond, including the Rectangle, felt Loreen’s death more keenly than Virginia. That short week while the girl had been in her home had opened Virginia’s heart to a new life. The day after the funeral, Rachel called on Virginia, and they sat in the hall of the Page mansion.
Virginia looked over to the end of the hall where Loreen’s body had lain. “I’ve decided on a good plan, as it seems to me. After talking to Rollin, he and I will devote a large part of our money to help those women to a better life.
“Rachel, I want you to work with me. Rollin and I are going to buy up a large part of the property in the Rectangle. The field where the tent now is has been in litigation for years.
“We mean to secure the entire tract as soon as the courts have settled the title. The money God wants me to use can build wholesome lodging-homes, refuges for poor women, asylums for shop girls, safety for many a lost girl like Loreen. But I don’t want to simply dispense the money. I want to put myself into the problem.” Virginia suddenly rose and paced the hall. “However, all that limitless money and limitless personal sacrifice can possibly do will not really lessen very much the awful condition at the Rectangle as long as the saloon is legally established there.”
Rachel answered with a note of hope in her voice. “It is true. But, Virginia, what a wonderful amount of good can be done with this money! And the saloon cannot always remain here. The time must come when the Christian forces in the city will triumph.”
Virginia paused near Rachel, and her pale, earnest face lit up. “The number of those who have promised to do as Jesus would is increasing. If we ever have, say, five hundred such disciples in Raymond, the saloon is doomed. But now, dear, I want you to look at your part in this plan for capturing and saving the Rectangle. You could organize among the girls a musical institute, give them the benefit of your voice training. Did anyone ever hear such singing as that yesterday by those women? You shall have the best of material in the way of organs and orchestras that money can provide. Much can be done with music to win souls into higher and purer and better living.”
The thought of her lifework flowed into Rachel’s heart and mind like a flood, and the torrent of her feeling overflowed in tears that could not be restrained. It was what she had dreamed of doing. “Yes,” she said as she rose and put her arm about Virginia. “Yes, I will gladly put my life into that kind of service.” Both girls now paced the hall with enthusiasm.
“Add to the money consecrated personal enthusiasm like yours, and it certainly can accomplish great things,” said Virginia, smiling.
Before Rachel could reply, Rollin came in. He hesitated a moment. Then, as he passed out of the hall into the library, Virginia called him back and asked him some questions about his work.
Rollin came back and sat down, and together the three discussed their future plans. Rollin, apparently free from embarrassment in Rachel’s presence while Virginia was with them, still treated her with a politeness that was almost cold. He had not forgotten the past, but he was completely caught up for this present time in the purpose of his new life. After a while Rollin was called out, and the girls talked of other things.
“By the way, what has become of Jasper Chase?” Virginia asked the question innocently, but Rachel flushed, and Virginia added with a smile, “I suppose he is writing another book. Is he going to put you into this one, Rachel? You know I always suspected him of doing that very thing in his first story.”
“Jasper told me the other night that he—in fact—he proposed to me—or he would, if—” Rachel stopped and sat with her hands clasped on her lap. There were tears in her eyes. “I thought not long ago I loved him, as he said he loved me. But when he spoke, my heart felt repelled, and I told him no. I have not seen him since.”
“I am glad for you,” said Virginia quietly.
“Why?” asked Rachel, a little startled.
“Because he is too cold and—I do not like to judge him, but I have always distrusted his sincerity in taking the pledge at the church with the rest.”
Rachel looked at Virginia thoughtfully.
“I have never given my heart to him, I am sure. I think perhaps if he had spoken to me at any other time than the one he chose, I could easily have persuaded myself that I loved him. But not now.”
After Rachel left, Virginia sat in the hall thinking over the confidence her friend had just shown her. Soon Rollin came back, and he and Virginia walked arm in arm up and down the long hall. It was easy for their talk to settle finally upon Rachel because of the place she occupied in their plans for the Rectangle.
“Did you ever know of a girl of such really gifted powers in vocal music who was willing to give her life to the people as Rachel is going to do?”
“It is certainly a very good example of self-sacrifice,” replied Rollin a little stiffly.
Virginia looked at him a little sharply but said nothing. The two walked on in silence for the length of the hall.
Then Virginia spoke: “Rollin, why do you treat Rachel with such a distinct, precise manner? I think that she is annoyed by it. You need to be on easy terms.”
Rollin suddenly stopped, deeply agitated. He took his arm from Virginia’s and walked alone to the end of the hall. Then he returned, with his hands behind him, and stopped near his sister. “Virginia, have you not learned my secret?”
Virginia looked bewildered; then over her face the unusual color crept, showing that she understood.
“I have never loved anyone but Rachel Winslow.” Rollin spoke calmly enough now. “That day she was here when you talked about her refusal to join the concert company, I asked her to be my wife. She refused me, and she gave as her reason the fact I had no purpose in life, which was true enough. Now that I have a purpose, now that I am a new man, it’s impossible for me to say anything. I owe my very conversion to Rachel’s singing. And yet that night while she sang, I can honestly say that for the time being, I never thought of her voice except as God’s message.” Rollin was silent; then he went on with more emotion. “I still love her, Virginia. But I do not think she ever could love me.” He stopped and looked at his sister with a sad smile.
Virginia noted Rollin’s handsome face, his marks of dissipation nearly all gone now, the firm lips showing manhood and courage, the clear eyes looking into hers frankly, the form strong and graceful. Rollin was a man now. Why shouldn’t Rachel come to love him in time? Surely the two were well fitted for each other, especially now that the same Christian force motivated their purpose in life.