The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1907-01-17

I've been working since and much hap
pier" After little pause You dance
like thistle Mr.. Farnsworth"
you've made me forget my feet;
that's all never danced with any
ease before in my life"
You aren't telling the truth" she
accused softly
MAY | come to see you tomorrow
morning." he asked. And when are
you going home tonight? Yonder she's
beckoning." indicating pulling Mrs.
Glider, who was shaking her fan at
them.
Farnsworth never realized the true
meaning of stage fright until he sat
later beside the debutante daughter OF
his hostess, waiting for Spicy Belle to
come on. \ stage had been erected at
the far end of the immense music
room But when she did come as cool
as when she sat beside him in the little
green room. his courage returned. She
twauged her banjo and tuned it as IN
concerncdly as if she were alone The
music now WAS very different from
that she had played to him 1t was so
ciety love songs and quaint plantation
melodies, odd dances and an occasional
negro drge. The bored society people
We're murmuring something about her
talent Farnsworth heard. as in a
dream. the girl beside him babbling of
the immense sums that had been offer
ed Miss Browning to 30 on the vaude-
vile stage That thought brought sud
den and great CONSERVATION to his
heart
Really, | can't say" his hostess
drawled when he finally managed to
place her daughter with another and
handsomer man." as he explained In
leaving her-"I can't say where Miss
Browning is. No don't know her ad-
dress even. have so many poor girls
on my list. l try to help the most de
serving
Farnsworth was gone. He had caught
a glimpse of a tiny pink foot under
long gray cloak, the wearer being fol
lowed by an ancient negress and the
two slipping out of side door.
"Wait for mer' he called.
Spicy Belle laughed
81 forgot to say he fell in with her
step. ooh, | say. tell the old person
back there" motioning to the dnenna,
mot to listen. It's this way We've
been pretty frank with each other this
evening. haven't we? You see, I've
been away from civilization so long it's
rather awkward for me TO try to learn
the roundabout way people in the po
lite world make love. I'm not going to
tell you about my love tonight as the
girl drew back frightened at his nten-
sity. you know have feeling that
this is the last reception that either Of
us will ever attend"
Spicy Belle laughed
you've got no more business with
them than | have" He Indicated the
brilliantly lighted house in the rear
You were made for the big places,
the silent places. the warm nights
heavy with the fragrance of flowers
that these people with all their yellow
gold, can't buy. You We're born to sing
love songs under the tropc stars. Wait
minute. Yes. you can. Send her on
to the house If yon don't want her to
hear what | am saying to you. Listen
then YOU may go. I'll have to cut back
there and show up to say good night
I'm going back to South America to
morrow, and you're going with me
to he my own fair bride, Sou hear?
It's too cramped in the United States
for fellow that's outgrown eivliza-
ton You can't get your breath.
can't. Spicy Belle, Spicy Belle. That's
tropical name. Wait a minute, then
I'll let you 20. No, I'm not going to
listen! You'd kiss me if | told you to,
Spicy Belle, but I'm not going to to-
night I'll be here early in the morn
ing. and morning means the early
hours of the day, you understand that,
Spicy Belle? Wen talk over the final
arrangements then. Are you going of
your own free will or are you going to
force me to take YOU la SabneY
"Why shouldn't | GO" came from
the folds of the long cloak in which
Spicy Belle had hidden her face. IL
| love YOU