The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1921-12-15

broad ad-shouIdered figure bent down ~
Kiss Alice very reverently, but she
pushed him OF. "Time for that later"
she said. Something has gone wrong
In the pantry. The refreshments
haven't come. There's not enough
butter on the sandwiches. Mother is
In stew. She says you're genius,
so go to It and prove you can get the
needfuls for tea inside of ten min
utes."
The door closed silently. Alice ap-
peared calm and unrufIied In the re-
ception room and refused to answer
any OF the signaled inquiries from
her distraught stepmother. She sim
ply urged the guests who had sug-
gestcd leaving TO walt a few minutes
for ten. II had been n little delayed,
she said. Then the bell rang ever 20
lightly and Alice sped down the hall
again. Immediately she returned
with an enormous tray-a lacquered
reed tray that had not come from the
hotel kitchen. II contained a spirit
lamp with hot water ready TO be re-
lighted. silver dish OF chopped Ice
and shaved butter. inimitable light
biscuits, dishes of Jam, aud neatly
piled sandwiches of a dozen different
mixtures.
Five minutes later, when tea drink
Ing was In full swing and there were
expresst ms OF praise from The guests
at the delicious refreshments, Morton
Gray strobe Quietly into the room.
Mrs. Penley Bradley first eyed him
with disapproval. she had not ex-
pected him, but ns her longtime bust.
ness associate she could not fail ~
greet him cordially. lie took his
chair, his tall. broad form balancing
rather grotesquely on small gilt
chair of the apartment hotel variety,
in the group of guests over which
Mrs. Bradley presided. Presently
Alice stood beside her stepmother.
II am going to tell you something,
before all OF your guests" Alice be-
gan, at first tlmldly and then with
more courage. Morton Gray and
are engaged. We thought Il would be
nice little surprise to announce II
now at your party. You and Morton
are such old friends, l know you will
be delighted"
And Mrs. Bradley really was. She
forgot all about Roger. Tom and
Harry, looking rather Insignificant
and inefficient In the proximity OF the
presence Of Morton. Then she rose
from her chair and before Morton
could rise from his chair she planted
kiss on his cheek by way Of mother,
ly congratulation.
Then Penley Bradley himself MP
peared and the guests delayed depart
ure until longer. for Mr. Bradley had
brought still more del cacies that suf-
feed for an informal supper.
II was after Morton had departed
and Alice had gone TO bed that Mrs.
Bradley thought to inquire ns to the
miraculous appearance U' Morton and
the tea equipment. 'lt was n simple
matter" said Mr.. Bradley. laughing.
"The thing was all cooked up. We
knew what sort Of service you'd get
at this hotel. got In touch with Nor
ton and we ordered the things from
the club chef this morning. Morton
went over In taxi to get them. and I
telephoned the steward here to stop
operations on the tea order here. I
wanted your little tea party to be n
success"
Mrs. Bradley's eyes filed with tears.
"Penley," she said husklly. NOW that
II Is all settled for Alice. IL think
I'll give up this sort OF life and the
job at Burton's. I'd like to settle
down In the suburbs somewhere
with plenty of room for your books
and pipes and things. You see.
thought that Alice would have bet
ter chance In The city. knew she
loved Morton, bot | never tholght he
cared for her. Thets why goi Roger
and Tom and that Bainbridge lndiv,d-
ual here this afternoon"