The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-03-09
A Virginian Page for Each Member Of the Family
A WEDDING FEAST
M MARTHA MecuLLocH-w,LLrAms

|, TO understand SO our yearly sacri-
and some heartaches for every one
Of the victims involuntary victims
!, mostiy--there's the real pity OF IL.
How much money Is there tonight
\ betwixt you and starvation
4 You have no right to ask--to
!, speak TO me so," Natalie cried, at
!, tempting to rise. though she trem-
bled violently.
4 Winboro smiled gr'mly. Il could
guess he said. Severe respectable
ity is costly--and you have fine
taste in eating You have laid up
let me see--possibiy two dollars
+ weekly
4 Whether or no have, / shall not
/ tax-any0ody's charity" Natalie said
/ rising. her head very high. her eyes
! AMBIENT.
Winboro also rose. no: you would
staTye as becomes gentiewoman."
B ne said. But you shall not--I Will
see 10 tfat--"hether or no you like
IL I'm your fairy godfather"
Fney went home In silence. Win
( boro torn by conflicting impulses. He
was indeed aging--he had next TO
no money. and but dim prospects N
a most uncertain profession. The
same delicate tastes that NO hammered
D
ances They had hampered him too
made him squeamish aud rficsl In
many ways--espectally over things
that other men held good Business.
! The girl beside him deserved inf1nite-
. ~ more VI Fate than he could promise
any woman. He must drag her. III
peed were. back to the shelter and
comfort Of this haif-eonfessed John
/ and pray that she might live happyl
ever after.
fet--at her door, ne kissed her.
lightly upon the cheek, rushing awavI
without word. He hardly slept thnt
night, but dawn brought heavy Stun
Der A light tap reused him from II
around II o'clock, and Natalie's voice
called.
Come In! Quick! want to show
you something"
HaH an hour later he stood staring
open eyed at cake ,snmrstaks;,Iei
country wedding cake. rich and sweet
anu hight as feather, iced half an
men thick. in generous slices. In
wedges, In half-loafs Tart likewise ~,
and small fancifufly ornamented
CAKES Natalie heamed above the ar
ray. nourtshing in her right hand
wedding cards
Johns" she explained guccinctlv
On. m SO glad The best fellow in
the world--but nothing else. II he
hao mad s. thimbleful Of personality.
could never have said No All ~
them were so anxious to have ne
marry each other--tndeed, Aunt MARY
n'itd she had raised me on purpose al
her BEST things would have the rirht
care But now--she's quite. recon
ciied. and John happy as the dav is
long ~
He was probably caught in the re.
bound. Winhoro interrupted,
Natalie ianPbaA enf+i,.
know she said. What / do know
,s-Aunt Mary wanted to send for me
nut the bride forbade You ouRht
10 see the apologies: mustn't he
hhrt' hut must come hofne and Etav
always IL ! ehoose----ssnd it's s,,eb a
shame TO send me so little, but there /
was no bigger box hapdy-and ever
SO much more
No wonder you are consoled.
, said possessing himself, un-
invited, of specially tempting slice
of cake '''NN
Natalie shook her head at him saw
ing, This puts off the starving Nv
az least "A weelS-and maybe shall
ma work- aaain-bat- 4; must he
r"ugh on you. YOU had such a fine
scheme of philanthropy all ready 10
put In execution
No, 1t only makes possible the ex-
'Vutioh OF a inner scheme" Winboro
l , eefhpesedip. Only this time the
beneficiary is myself"
ihoeed Tell me about it," Ma
tame said. crunching a tart as sha
spoke. w"
Winboro drew a deep breath. sThe 4
wedding feast is spread, the bride Z
groom ready" he said. Don't Won
mink you might be persuaded To act
as bride go " a''
-Natalie's answer Is immateria,
.o"ait;e tt. that within a week the NAV
fanny at Hazlehill farm were aston
'siiru ana delighted to receive the
Wtnhoro. "'9i I