The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1892-06-09
TWO WEDDINGS.
The Story Of a Wise and Of a Fool
ish Maiden.

Dinner at the HOLSTERS had been
over for half an hour. The head of the
house had gone to his work, and the
younger children to school. But still the
table with its dingy red cloth and ar
ray OF unwashed dishes stood un-
touched in the shabby little dining
room, while Mrs. HOLSTER and her
daughter Margie sat over their coffee
in earnest conversation. Mrs. Hollis
ter,s furrowed face, misshapen hands
and dark calico wrapper formed a singu-
lar contrast to the smooth, peach bios
som skin, soft white fingers and deli
cate blue cashmere morning gown of
Miss Margie. The girls eyes were red
with weeping, and her voice harsh and
petulant as, with an exclamation of
contempt, she tossed small roll of
bank notes on the table. Her mother
looked tired and anxious as she said in
soothing tone:
Come, Margie, try to be content.
Father can't do any better by you Just
now. You know he said when he went
out that he would be glad to give you
the grandest wedding that ever was, if
he couldr'
Margie remembered the words, but
not the awkwardly tender touch of the
big toil-worn hand on her brown hair.
Her mothers remarks only caused q
fresh burst of tears.
whats hundred and fifty dollars!''
she sobbed.
I'D have thought it fortune when 1
got married." replied her mother, but
that Of course was twenty wears ago"
she fastened to add, as Margies lip
curled with a coming sarcasm. 1T
isn't every girl that has hundred and
fifty dollars to do just as she pleases
with.''
''Eut please to do so many things. ~
said Margie. II must have a wedding
If never have anything more as long
as live! A real stylish church we'd
ding like Mary Elton's, with flowers,
and music, and presents, and a white
satin dress-so there!'
But Mr.. Elton is rich man, dearie.
and owns several houses, while your
father hasn't quite paid off the mort
gage"
''Now, mother, please don't speak of
that tiresome old incubus again. 1t
has been held over my head even since
l can remember. Now, if Celia would
only be reasonable and consent to a
double wedding it would lessen the ex-
pense and give us each fine send-off.
She has only hundred and fifty dol
lars that she saved from teaching last
year. The rest of her salary, as you
know. went toward Rob's college bills. ~
There she comes now across the gar
den" exclaimed Mrs. HOLSTER, a CLEAN
OF hope lighting her faded eyes.
Somehow everybody always bright
ened little at the sight of Celia Reed.
She moved in an atmosphere of sunny
helpfulness and peace. Practical, SEN
sible, self-cOntained, cheerful, she was
as wholesome and bracing as the north
wind, as genuine as pure gold, as reli-
able as granite. She came to a side
door that opened into the diniug-roo
and knocked lightly.
Come in!' called out Margie, still
sitting with both elbows on the table.
Celia entered, radiant with health and
a good conscience. and set down dish
covered by a snowy napkin.
1--WE had very fair luck with that new
rule for buns" she said, land want you
to try them. But what is the matter
with Margie, Aunt Caroline? A bride
elect ought to look happy and hopeful.
Come, little cousin" she continued,
going to Margie and laying a hand on
her shoulder, has Mr.. Norris de.
serted""
40 is all right, Celia; but pa has just
given me my allowance for trousseau,
and I'm just wondering what he thinks
l can do with one hundred and fifty dol
lars!''
"Why, Margie, you know that l will
not have penny more than that, and l
am sure that it will do very nicely.
Father has had such hard winter and
spring, and with Doctors bills and all,
that shall not ask him to help me-"
Nov, sit down, Celia, dear, and lis
ten to me-" said Margie. This we'd
ding is the greatest event of my life,
and want a real snowy affair, some
thin to remember and talk about al
ways. If you will join me, we can
manage it beautifully. There need be
no reception, you know, and we can
put nearly all the money into the pub
lie ceremony"
But don't think as you do, Margie.
Every body that knows of us is aware
that our families are in very moderate
circumstances, and that we marry young
men with their fortunes yet unmade. A
wedding such as you suggest would
make disagreeable comment. Besides,
we could not afford to perfect all the
little details, and failure would be very
ridiculous.'
Margie looked sulky and determined,
but Celia went on, bravely: NELSON
and have decided to be married very
quietly in mothers parlor, with just
our nearest relations present. There
will be no cards and we wish no pres
ents. We will>go right to the cottage
ION Cedar creek, take dinner in our own
home and attend your wedding in the
evening""
What. no trip" asked Margie.
mo trip" replied Celia, laughing.
::'Nelson cannot be away from the Office
but two or three days. Why should we
rush to the city and spend money in no.
tel hiIs and carriage hire and do with
out the lovely great Turkish chair we
s~vill order instead from Dalton's?''
We'll, must say that your plans
strike me as very dull" declared
Margie, scornfully, as she twirled her
Rhinestone engagement ring.
II think Celia is in the right" said
Mrs. HOLSTER.
20! Cola is always right!' snapped
Margie. ''But even Celia can't do much
with hundred and Fifty dollars" =.
II shall have enough" said Celia,
cheerfully, rising to GO; Though l
really wish that We had summer and