Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-01-21


in, say. two hours, If you have nothing
, to do for yourself"
The secretary lowered, spoke: Miss
Hunting, you've only so minutes now
to rest"
Need I bring a reply? I'm sure he'll
be anxious to do whatever you sug-
>. gest." said Felicia.
$50 faithful as that? Still. I'd like
a word from him. And perhaps you'd
like a glimpse behind the wings. III
scribble pass for you. Perhaps you
could slip into a box"
! The secretary saw that a taxi waited
for Felicia and her roses.
In his sitting room. Harrison Swift
said. You wonderful girl How did
she look? What else did she say7"
she gave me those roses. Do you
want some?"
"One. If you don't mind"
! Then he read Ellis Hunting's note
His eyes became inscrutable. He said
nm afraid Ellis does not forget
| Nor forgive"
He tore it up
"She asked me to bring your reply
! to her dressing room. She can see me
between the first and the second acts"
He asked, what would a stodgy old
man buy for midnight supper for an
old sweetheart, an old friend. an old
enemy, famous actress, and a tired
woman?"
Felicia wondered. odd how out of
town men believe that a girl in a shop
on Fifth avenue knows everything.
She suggested, "A blue and silver
tree. Champagne. Caviar. Flowers"
He was doubtful on the champagne.
Ellis was reported TO be a Spartan
artistic.
You come along and help me-" he
pleaded: And-"Girl! You've had no
dinnerl"
They had dinner. Felicia thought,
Phil will not come at all" The knowl-
edge Law like a cold bullet in her
heart. Men tire, in four years. Some
times In four days.
In taxi. she and this gray-haired
man went up Fifth avenue, through
the. glittering Fifties, down naughty
Park avenue.
He bought flowers by the taxicabful.
Roses. Violets, cyclamen. A tree that
was ironic beautiful mimicry of Jack
Frost. Tinsel-Expensive trifles.
Il expect you thought stockings was
not much of gift for a woman who /
has everything?" he said to Felicia, /
who was listening to the chimes Of st. 4
Patrick's.
When she was 16, Ellis hated Isle
stockings"
Where was Phil? With his mother? /
Telling her that Felicia was a pretty +
girl? But he had no thought of mar I
rage for long time, If ever.
Plenty Of pretty girls in the world.
Only one mother. Even the Demargos
could pick and choose.
Felicia had had predecessors with
Phil. Marian had told her. Ada, CASH
Ter IN bakery who later married 7
someone else. Little Ann, who entered
a convent. Betty, who futilely sent a
birthday gift to Mrs. Hustled who re-
turned it. Betty had left New York
with another man. Would Marian in
a month or so tell some other girl
about the three-and Felicia?
Harrison Swift said in kindness,
MY dear, even If you have no family,
isn't there a boy friend somewhere
about?"
He is busy tonight"
Doing what?"
Being comfort to his mother, who
likes to have no strangers about on
"I see" There was change in the
mans voice. Felicia. who was as SEN
sitive perhaps as Ellis Hunting, the
genius, caught 1t.
Hard the voice, and more tired.
He said. II was intrusive. am sorry.
WIN 1t thrill you to see Ellis behind
The scenes?"
"Oh, it will"
The taxicab stopped at the side en-
rance Of the theater. He waited In
he taxi. Word had been left for Miss
Stanton to be admitted. And, for
little while, Felicia, forgot her ache |
md Phil. {
Ellis Hunting in her dressing room {
vas getting out of the pale blue satin S
5arment trimmed with swansdown
which she wore in the first act. Past '
%? How could that be?
"He expects you after your perform q
nee. He asked me to help him buy {
What would please you II don't know b
erv WE'LL" 4
Ellis Hunting laughed. Poor man. I
won't be hard to please"
Then, changing her makeup she
danced shrewdly at the girls respect =
I'll but sober face.
my dear, he and I are using you :
THANKFULLY. 1t Is because Of your =
harming docility, believe me. And I'll =
epay you Are you very sure this :
vening holds nothing gayer for you I
han errand running for two old SEN y
mental persons2"
Nothing: have been glad to-to 3
leet vou?"
Tell me more about the young man
Tho-who is good to his mother?"
Felicia's face burned. She explained Y
bout the body on the stretcher on
mother eve, about Mrs. Husted's sac Q
Ifices. She wished to be Just. =
Hearing, Ellis Hunting's mouth =
visited oddly. r
She said calmly, History repeats IT.
IF. Harrison's mother did not like =
le.P She gave the grimace which had q
elped her to fame. "If she had been :"
lore generous-oh, well, that is long
go. Would you believe that once / .
lrew myself into the river because p
ne managed TO keep him from coming q
, a picnic?"
Felicia's eyes were big. ~
Ellis Hunting laughed softly. The "
lmous Hunting laugh.
Two other bows and an old boatman ~
shed me out. Ny green dimity dress
as weed-snagRed and muddy Muddy
alter drfpped from my straight hair.
" rescuers laughed long and hard.