The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1910-09-09
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A Wedding Feast
By Martha McC Gull och-Wiliams
Copyright. 1910, by Associated Literary Press

eyes, his own kindling. II have been
young-now am-aging, if not old"
he said. "Still, I have not forgotten
the deliciousness of-folly. In your
case-I wonder is it only folly, or
some big hulking fellow six feet
high, regular football hero?"
I-I-hate you Take me home!
At once!" Natalie said imperiously.
Winboro looked at her. his breath
coming quicker. I'm CORY for
john" he said. $50 sorry you must
listen to little more"
WELL" Natalie breathed rather
than said, settling back to place.
Winboro's face darkened.
"You know about the Minotaur-
the tabled monster that devoured
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. Il could
guess" he said. Severe respectable
ity is costly-and you have laid up
let me see-possibly two dollars
weekly"
whether or no I have, l 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 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.
Yet-at her door, he kissed her,
lightly upon the cheek, rushing away
without a word He hardly slept that
night, but dawn brought heavy slum'
Der. A light tap reused him from it
around IL o'clock, and Natalie's voice
called:
Come in! Quick! 1 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, -four
ishing in her right hand wedding
cards
"John's," she explained succinctly
"Oh. I'm so glad. The best fellow in
the world-but nothing else. If he
had had a thimbleful of personality
l 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, sc
her best things would have the right
care. But now-she's quite recon
| clled, and John happy as the day is
long"
HE was probably caught in the re-
bound" Winboro interrupted.
Natalie laughed softly. II don't
know" she said. What I do know
| is-Aunt Mary wanted to send for me
| but the bride forbade. You ought tC
see the apologies; I mustn't be hurt
but must come home and stay always
| if 1 choose-and it's such a shame tC
send me so little, but there was nc
! bigger box candy-and ever so much
more"
"No wonder you are consoled,
Winboro said, possessing himself, I'M
invited, of specially tempting slice
of cake.
Natalie shook her head at him
saying, This puts off the starving by
at least a week-and maybe l shall
find work again-but it must be
rough on you, you had such fine
scheme of philanthropy all ready tc
put in execution
mo. it only makes possible the exc
cution of a finer scheme" Winborc
said composedly. "Only this time the
beneficiary is myself"
Indeed? Tell me about it." Ma
talie said, crunching a tart as she
spoke.
Winboro drew deep breath. THE
wedding feast Is spread, the bride
groom ready" he said. Don't you
| think you might be persuaded to act
as b2ide?"
Natalie's answer is immaterial
Suffice it, that within a week the
May family at Hazlehill farm were
astonished and delighted to receive
| the wedding cards of Mr.. and Mrs
Peter Winboro.