The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-09
The EVENING STORY
A Wedding Feast.
(By Martha McCullouch- wiIlims.)

room front. Winboro in the bigger
chamber adjoining. Since their first
meeting he had given the girl a re-
spectful salutation at each encounter.
She had answered with nod. a smile
and murmured word: nothing more.
But somehow his days had been the
brighter for them. 1t had hardly gone
beyond that. Once he had ventured to
lay a magazine at her door; once, also.
she had sewed up deity an untimely
and annoying rent for him. He had got
it carelessly just as he was starting
out, and already late. so the kindness
had been as real as it was trivial.
He had meant to return it in the
shape of a matinee ticket. But he had
found out that Miss Peytcn- was at
work every day-their encounterings
had been as she came in from the shop,
and he went out to dine before the
theater. The shop was a bedizened
place On the avenue-Peter did not
know it--Where fine hand-sewn custom
lingerie was made. But wages were not
at all Drcportionate to prices, so when
the slack season came and there was
work only for the regulars, Natalie, new
to the city last autumn found herself
IGle, with no friends. faint prospects and
q scant hoard of money
Winboro had somehow sensed the sit
Acknowledged, perhaps, by hearing her
move about her room in daylight. Her
face, too, had subtly terrified look,
though she held herself straighter than
shes game-as game as she's good.
he told himself upon a certain bright
Sunday afternoon. Hanged if don't
chuck the Blenten crush. and take her
for a walk-and to dinner afterward."
Youth loves company the same as
misery. Natalie. young and miserable,
went without demur, though she had
been bred to the strictest social OBJ
Servanees. Neither did she balk at the
Suggestion OF dinner.
Its a rfsk-I am truly frightfully
hungry she warned him, with a smile
that was piteou.-ly brave.
1t was memory of the smile that
mboldened him, as they sat over their
coffee in a quiet place, yer still far
from cheap, to say, lightly touching her
free hand: why don't you get out of
all this? You don't in the least belong"
How do you know l could get out
of it?' Natalie parted.
Winboro smiled softly and fiicked the
ash from his cigar. Finding him silent
the girl went on: Il haven't run away
from adoring parents-only from a
stepuncle and-well, Aunt Maryland
john
|'I see,'' Winboro interrupted. John
now, tell me all about him."
Il can't. There's nothing to tell-if
there were" Natalie cried. stopping
short with a vivid blush that made
Winboro smile again and shake his
head.
you'll never in the world make an
actress he said. l"Those eyes of yours
can tell only the truth. John is hasty
.foolishly hasty. He wants to marry
you out of hand. When you want to
find the great adventure.
How do you known" Natalie again
demanded.
winboro looked straight into her
eyes. his own kindling. II have been
young-now I anl-aging, if not DID,"
he said. ''Still, I have not forgotten
he deliciousness of-folly. In your
.ase-f wonder is It Only folly or SOME
Dig hulking fellow six. feet high. a reg
liar football hero? .-....s
"I-I-hate you. Take me home, At
,nce!'' Natalie said imperiously.
Winboro looked at her, his breath
coming quicker. I'm sorry for john"
lie said. so sorry you must listen to a
little more.'
"Wenr' Natalie breathed rather than
said, settling back to place. Winboro's
ace darkened.
you know about the Minotaur-the
abled monster that devoured yearly
'uptly. then waiting for no reply he ran
IN: 1.-The most of life is in the fable
only We nortals refuse to understand. |
50 our yearly sacrifices mount up al
most to millions-and some heartaches
or every one of the victims, involuu- |
airy victims mostly-there's the real
,ity of it. How much money is there |
onight betwixt you and starvation?"
You have no right to ask-to
peak to me so,'' Natalie cried. MAX
ng to rise, though she trembled VIC
emily.
Winboro smiled grimly. 81 could
uess,'' he said. Severe respectable
" is costly-and you have fine taste
4 eating. You have laid up-let me
ee-possibly two dollars weekly
Whether or no I have, 1 shall not
ax-anybody's charity Natalie said,
Ising, her head very high, her eyes,
lmbent.
Winboro also rose. mo: you would
-arve as becomes a gentlewoman,., he
aid. "But you shall mott will see to
or no you like it. I'm
our fairy godfather
They went home in silence Win
orc torn by conflicting impulses. He
as indeed aging-he had next to no
honey. and but dim prospects in
lost uncertain profession. The same
elicate tastes that so hampered Ma
lie were also among his inheritances.
hey had hampered him too-made
i'm squeamish and f1nical in many
over things that other 1
en- held good business. The girl be-
de him deserved infinitely more of {
tie than he could promise any Wom-
l. He must dragon her, If need
ere, back to the shelter ana comfort
this ha1f-confessed ~Johf-and pray
at she might live happy ever after.
Yet-at her door. he kissed her,
Chilly upon the cheek. rushing away /
ithout a word. He hardly slept that j
glt- but dawn brought heavy slun1- /
n. A light tap reused him from it j
ound IL o'clock. and Natalie's voice
lied:
"Come in! Quick I want to show
III something"
Half an hour later he stood staring
at cake, unmistakable coun- I
Y wedding cake, rich and sweet and
,ht as a feather, iced half an inch s
lex. in generous slices, in wedges. in
If loaves. Tarts likewise, and small g
ncifulIy ornamented cakes Natalie
AIMED above the array, fIourishing in II
r right hand wedding cards.
Johns" she explained succinctiy.
VI, I'm so glad. The best fellow in +.
e world---but nothing else. If he Al
d had a thirnbleful of personality .,