The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1923-07-05
Beauty and
the Feast
BY CLARiSSA MACKlE
,S by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate,

AS usual, Alicia was day dreaming,
although the hOur was six in the eve
ming and she was seated at Mrs. Dibb's
clearinghouse table. Alicia Wakeley
could transport herself TO other places,
other c!imes at %will-just now she had
forgotten the busy office where she was
a tireless worker, forgotten the little
home in the country, where her parents
lived peacefully and frugally, forgotten
the dubious tableeloth before her, the
%unsavOry food, the weak and discour-
aging tea.
Where was Alicia?
Alicia Wakeley was alighting from
her limousine in front of ii fashionable
hotel on the avenue; there were W.
men in front as the machine rolled
away to make room for another with
two servant in front. Alicia allowed
her rich sable cloak to slip a little from
her shoulders as she walked across the
strip Of rubber mating that led
straight into the fairyland Of the hotel.
GlimpsCs of crystal electroliers, which
the lights turned into fountains of
sparkling ~icicles, vistas of softly light
ed alleys where richly dressed women
moved to and fro with dark-clad men,
then the sound of an orchestra, string
ing soOthingly In the tear0om. Here in
the eXquiSiteneSs OF pale gray and
~rose-coIOred galls, rOse-shaded lamps.
and soft clash and tinkle of silver and
glass-here she would be led TO a seat.
- r.z.ll -. ,-.,l, HDfApA
her eyes in a silver pot. brewed TO per-
fectiOn-perhaps scenes. or toast or
waffles. Diamonds would flash upon
her hands. she would bow g~raciOnsly
to handsome men and socially promi-
nent women
"Prunes! | want more prunes" -
Alicia came out of her dream with
a start. Here was the boarding-hOuse
table and little Bobby Wren was wall
ing for q second helping of prunes,
Her own were untouched and Alicia
dreamily proffered them to Bobby, who
chuckled ~gluttonously as he acknowl-
edged them. His mother thanked her
profusely, and Alicia was wearing a
gracious smile when she slipped back
into her day dreaming, and went on
smiling graciously at gallant men and
lovely women. and the orchestra was
playing, playing, "Three O'clock in the
Morning
"Ch, Miss WakeleyI"
The pleasant voice was at her elbow,
lot in the phantom tea room of the
rar;4x h,,t 81 NIrc nihh'e tohln
"Good evening, Mr.. Langdon," she
said, coolly, for she did not want to
be reminded that she was nibbling staie
gingerbread cookies and drinking weak,
cheap tea.
Jim LargdOn looked at her humor-
ously. The monograph was playing
"Three O'clock in the Morning" the
boarders were leaving the table, posi-
tively casting regretful ~glances at the
dish of baked beans. the lone saucer
of prunes at Jim's plate, he two gin
ger cookies in the silver 'haSket."
Sarah was bringing in a plate of hot
biscuits.
"Ummmh :" murmured Jim, rs he
helped himself. IT'S a great night ont,
Miss Wakelpy: what are you going to
do? Don't tell me you have an en-
gagement."
"WplI-" hpsitated Alicia. thinking
OF the book she was reading; then.
something in his eyes as he watched
her. changed her mind.
"No. have nothing to do she con
fessed, Gayly.
evil you 60 to a movie showT
"Thank you-yes, n VIII go ana
get ready while yon are finishing your
oirner." she answered.
Tn In her own room Alicia sighed rs
she comhed her hair into . golden
mist and then coiled II deftly and
fastened II with amber pins. She
slirned into a pretty gray dress, and
presently descended the stairs with the
air Of n grand dame. hut To Jim. wait
ing below. she was m amazingly pretty
girl In a fur-trlmmad wrap with a
furry hat on her golden hair.
He was unusually quiet rs thov
crossed the city 70 ore of the 'ar~ar
pIctrre theaters. Alicia vas n"'et
too. hut she world Rave heon ashamed
70 have her cnmnan'on read the dis
contented thoughts that raced through
her mind-tha e'itterinC entrances 70
hotels. TIE waiting for luxurious mo-
TORS TO glide INST. the Windows Of shcns
sblaze with priceless flowers. MI
seemed tantal'z'nc to Alicia rs they
walked toward the humhler ar"nsa-
ment. Jim Lnnodon was Interesting IN
every wav. and he was IN love vith
Alicia. She knpw it-had known " as
truly as slie had known that some dav
re would ask her 70 marry him. and
that she would refuse. Was she not
expecting sor,e cre ont of that nhan-
tom world Of riches end nieasrre to
come and rescnp her from Mrs. Dibb's
end the office life?
On the vav home Jim co-fded In
her. "My T-nrle Miles ficd last week.
He was good enoush 10 remember me
left me q bit Of money and the dandi-
est little farm m Waco way"
SLOW nice for you-my people live
In Waco"
$50 ] shall he leaving the city next
week. went on lin. calmly.
at aavipc Now YORK. Giving nm vour