Gilpin observer., 1920-07-29
Wedding Cake
BY RALPH HAMILTON
=.
copyright. 1920. Western Newspaper Union

Sixty nau bowed his Silvered head to
the decree of adverse fortune. It
helped the bearing of his burdens to
have wife who contributed some
thing to the sparse family income by
baking cakes for special occasions, re-
ceptions, christenings. weddings. for
she was perfect cook and Alice,
aged eighteen, was dainty, artistic
assistant.
Robert Page had lost business and
fortune overnight in great conflagra-
ton. After he had liquidated his
debts there was left few hundred
dollars and the house where Alice
had been born.
aged Mrs. Page. ut will keep us
from being dull"
"And idle" smiled Alice. "Tve
thought it all out. father, dear. For
year at least we won't try any am
bilious flights. The doctor says you
need and must have absolute rest"
But how will we live2"
"Oh! have arranged for that" de-
ciared Alice buoyantly. "If you will
help me with the sweet peas. the
roses and the asters, l will guarantee
to sell every one of them at a profit.
Mr.. Randolph, who owns the news
stand next to the postofiice, agrees to
give me window to display the flow
ers in their season, and his boy will
attend to customers for small COM
mission"
"Well, 1t won't hurt my pride to
carry the baskets down to the store"
spoke Mr.. Page courageously.
/ II have planned also to turn my
culinary skill to some real advantage"
spoke his wife. "The Ladies' Ex-
change can get me ORDERS"
Thus lightly and pleasantly mother
and daughter heartened the husband
and father.
Two miles down the river were some
large mills, and somehow in the work
ing community the perfection of Mrs.
Pages famous cakes gained several
customers, and the humble folk from
overseas became settled element in
the baking proposition. There was
a welding nearly every Saturday night
among the mill workers, and 1t got
Ito be so that a nuptial feast without
a fancy wedding cake was rarity.
Alice had made an arrangement with
a confectioner's supply house in the
city which sent her cake ornaments
on order. Thus, some romantic swain
from fair Italian shores could have
his wedding cake surmounted by
'frosting piece showing sugared castle
turrets, or shepherdesses, or dancing
fairies, but the most popular ornament
was a royal canopy over an altar. at
which in satin sheen knelt the white
yelled bride, her affianced beside her
in immaculate dress suit.
There was one of the mill workers.
dark eyed, swarthy man of about
thirty, who acted as translator and
agent for his fellow countrymen, and
several times he had come to the
Page home bringing the order for
some special occasion. Alice distrust-
ed and disliked the fellow, who at
tempted no familiarity because he
dared not, but whose piercing glance
viewed her with an admiration he
could not represS.
Dallas Blake, who was the only
youn. man Alice allowed to call more
than once n week, was present on one
of these occasions. and he openly re-
sentcd the presence of man he in
tnit!vely diScerned was greatly at
tracted by Alice's beauty.
The man, Raphael, appeared late
one afternoon in great fluster. The
hour of wedding for which the
cake had been ordered he claimed.
was TO be two hours earlier than ar
ranged. He had taxi at the door.
Would Miss Page bring the cake and
the ornaments and, as usual with her.
attach the same on the table where
no Jar would disturb or inlure them?
Unsuspec'ingly Alice agreed. Dusk
& came on while they were going in the
direction of the mills. II was fully
DIRK when the machine turned into
an obscure lane. circled into an old
barn and. throwing n scarf over the
face Of Alice, her companion Rnphae.
u, tore her from the machine and
carried her into house beyond A
Hlut'uS olu nag ETeeleu MN us ne
brought the atIrighied Alice into her
presence.
"rhe cake shall celebrate our we'd
ding. yours and mine" declared Rn-
phaeli. "Ah! | have loved you long.
20 for friends and priest. Mur,a.
If she reslsts-the drug. She shall
be mine This dnyw
un hoet.pnJ from, ln ,,lnra Ay ba
came out at the barn exit he was sur
prised 10 view there strange auiomo-
bile. From II sprang Dallas Blake.
"You scoundrell" he shouted. ~
got Just n glimpse of you and Miss
Page as you flashed along the street.
! What have you done with herr
The swift CLEAN OF stiletto an
,swprpd but before the fniIrdprOIIs