The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1915-07-08
HIS LAST TEA FIGHT
by HOPE AlNsLee.

OT anything you ike To call them. I've
escorted you this whole winter from
one studio TO another I've imbibed
gallons OF sickly tea and eaten pounds
OF cake and tarts and Jam, and I've
listened TO would.be artists rave for
hours about their souls and their TEN.
peraments I'm sick Of It,"
Wont you go just this once-this
afternoon? ! promised you would be
there and ! believe youll really like
Caroline Becker. She has no tempera-
ment and of course find her rather
dull"
'lll CO. interrupted her brother
ANY person living In studio and
having tea and that you can find dull
must be an oddity."
George turned away. whistling. lie
had sincere hope that his sister
would develop some common sense
after she had Il season or two OF New
York studio life. She was young.
As they walked briskly down Cen
trail park west toward the studio build
ing in which Helen's dull" artist
friend lived, George Moore began to be
curious about his hostess to be.
lle was moro than curious when he
took her proffered hand and felt her
warm. strong grip as she welcomed
him and his sister to her studio. The
girl was beautiful in simple, sweet
way. She was like the girl he knew
In the West, not particle like the
girls his sister "adored" and who lived
In the studios he had been frequent
ing
Neither was this studio like the
others. It looked more like real
home than anything he had seen in
New York. There was no oriental
scent In the air; there were no dimly
lighted candle lamps. no smoking
table with ladies cigarettes" lying
on It.
This is so cheerful and homelike,
Miss Becker" he found himself say
Ing after he and his sister had admired
tho picture that had won the Academy
prize.
"Oh. 1t is, really?" asked Caroline,
earnestly.
ut Is, indeed" George repeated.
That's been one of my main OBJ
iects in the furnishing of II and in all
my little entertainments. I've tried
to have the home atmosphere--the
way mother does Mt home In Omaha
and, now don't laugh when show
you something" She ran behind a
screen and returned with stone
crock in her arms.
"The cookie crock" cried Helen.
Il can hardly believe my eyes, add.
cd George.
And real, homemade cookiesi" ex-
planned Caroline, removing the top of
the crock Mother sends them every
week and always have some"
Each of the guests took round
sugar-covered cookie and ate 1t as II
II were the best thing they had ever
tasted.
81 wouldn't exchange this cookie for
all the French tarts or pate-de-foie-
! gras tid.bits in all the studios In New
York. said George Moore more en-.
Enthusiastically than his sister had heard
him express himself since he had left
home.
"They are good" admitted Helen.
ITS just that-they remind me of
home" said Caroline.
As George reached for third cookie
his sister frowned upon him
George Moore! You laugh so loud
and eat so much. I'm ashamed OF
you," she admonished.
Don't be. please, Miss Moore, n
pleaded Caroline, putting friendly
hand on Helen's arm. ITS so good
to see and hear him It's like home
itself"
And after that the guests began to
arrive so that George and his sister
could not monopolize their hostess
Helen had TO drag her brother home
and as she usually had TO urge him to
remain even n polite length of time she
was more than amused
THAT is the first real girl I've met
at these tea fights. sis" he said as
they walked home.
"lesg" replied Helen. raising her
eyebrows, shes very pleasant"
Pleasant, | should think she was
she's peach She's a real genuine
girl and intend to see much of her
And hope that cookie crock will not
grow empty for intend TO make many
a raid on IT,"
Il thought this was your last tes
fight" " suggested his sister.
George laughed. "Ill forgive you
for taking me TO this one. sis honest
l will"
"For you saw the handwriting on
the wall Of Caroline Becker's studio
didn't your" she asked, teasingly.
He nodded. Il did; did youf"
And apparently the writing was
there, for the giri with the stone cookie
crock and the man who did not like
studio teas went 10 housekeeping in a
real home within twelve months from