The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1910-08-04


yearly virgins in thousands?" he
asked abruptly, then waiting for no
reply he ran on: 1.-THE most of life is
in the fable-only we mortals refuse
to understand. So our yearly sacri-
fees mount up almost to millions
and some heartaches for every one
of the victims, involuntary victims
mostly-there's the real pity of it.
How much money is there tonight
betwixt you and starvation?"
"You have no right to ask-to
speak to me so," Natalie cried, ma
king to rise, though she trembled
violently.
Winboro smiled grimly. II could
guess" he said. Severe respectable
ity is costly-and you have laid up
let me see-possibly two dollars
weekly"
Whether or no 1 have, / shall not
tax-anybody's charity" Natalie said
rising, her head very high, her eyes
lambert.
Winboro also rose. mo; you would
starve as becomes a gentlewoman,"
he SAID. But you shall not-l will
see to that-whether or no you like
it. I'm your fairy godfather"
They went home in silence, Win
boro torn by conflicting impulses.
He was indeed aging-he had next to
no money. and but dim prospects in a
most uncertain profession. The same
delicate tastes that so hampered Ma
talie were also among his inherit
ances. They had hampered him too
made him sQueamish and flnical in
many ways-especially over things
that other men held good business.
The girl beside him deserved infinite
ly more of Fate than he could promise
any woman. He must dragon her,
if needs be, back to the shelter and
comfort of this half-confessed John
and pray that she might live happy
ever after.
Yet-at her door, he kissed her,
lightly upon the cheek, rushing away
without word. He hardly slept that
night, but dawn brought heavy slum-
Der. A light tap reused him from it
around II o'clock, and Natalie's voice
called:
Come in! Quick! l want to show
you something"
Half an hour later he stood staring
open-eyed at cake, unmistakable coun-
try wedding cake, rich and sweet, and
light as a feather, iced half an inch
thick, in generous slices, in wedges,
in half-loafs. Tarts likewise. and
small fancifully ornamented cakes.
Natalie beamed above the array, flour
fishing in her right hand wedding
cards
"John's," she explained succinctly.
ooh, I'm so glad. The best fellow in
the world-but nothing else. If he
had had thimbleful of personality,
could never have said NO. All of
them were so anxious to have us
marry each other-indeed, Aunt Mary
said she had raised me on purpose, so
her best things would have the right
care. But now-she's quite recon-
ciled, and John happy as the day Is
long"
"He was probably caught in the re-
bound" Winboro interrupted.
Natalie laughed softly. Il don't
know" she said. What I do know
is-Aunt Mary wanted to send for me,
but the bride forbade. You ought to
see the apologies; I mustn't be hurt,
but must come home and stay always
If I choose-and it's such shame to
send me so little, but there was no
bigger box candy-and ever so much
more"
"No wonder you are consoled,"
Winboro said, possessing himself, un.
invited, of a specially tempting slice
of cake.
Natalie shook her head at him,
saying, This puts off the starving by
at least week-and maybe l shall
find work again-but it must be
rough on you, you had such a fine
scheme of philanthropy all ready to
put in execution
mo, it only makes possible the exc
cution of a finer scheme Winboro
said composedly. "Only this time the
beneficiary is myself
'lnQeeQ! lell me dUOuI IL, IVA
talie said, crunchjng a tart as she
spoke.
Winboro drew a deep breath. "The
wedding feast is spread, the bride
groom ready" he said. Don't you
think you might be persuaded to act
as bride?"
Natalie's answer is immaterial.
Suffice it, that within week the
May family at Hazlehill farm were
astonished and delighted to receive
the wedding cards of Mr. and Mrs.
Peter Winboro.
Now It's Repeated.
with my customary slowness it has
taken me all this time to learn the