The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1907-01-17
Spicy Belle
BY
CAMPBELL MACLEOD
L


reception, WIS nowhere III sight, The
lady in question WAS putting her way
through the crowded parlors in search
of him.
Ii was half past 10 o'clock and the
reception WAS in full blast, but Farms
worth had suddenly disappeared The
hostess was asking if anybody had
seen him
Half an hour earlier the lion of the
function had found himself alone. y
debutante who lsped had reduced him
to IA state of cold perspiratlon. lie had
started recklessly down the hall. \
door had stood invitingly open. lie
had walked in, hoping it gave on II
porch. 1t had proved quite the most
attractive spot he had seen since he
had left the iungles of South America
month ago and had found himself ia
nous as the author of book on I'm
known Amazon Lands"
This room was green aud cool. \
bank of palms concealed II piano. Re
hind the piano was an open window.
Here he could indulge in a cigarette.
Good As he scratched the match Il
faint exclamation of surprise from the
far corner drew his attention in that
direction. y young girl was obsery-
ing him with calm amusement.
II beg your pardon he began throw
Ing away the cigarette. Il didn't mean
re, iia2ttssgseasae.."
Don't mind me-" she begged. Were
you running away"
I'm afraid So guilty and glanc-
ing furtively at her
She was a very young person, almost
Il child. Her dress was faint pink, and
she idly thrummed the banjo in her
lap. He realized that she was exceed
ingly good to look upon,
won't You sit DOWN. she invited,
motioning to the seat beside her.
"Why are you hiding here%' he de
handed You aren't afraid of them.
are YOU
I'm not one Of the guests cheer
fully I'm an entertainer. The time
appointed for my stunt" holding up
the banjo "hasu't arrived yet
81 see retlecfiyely. but what are
you doing here alone:"
at was cool and unoccupied, and
slipped i'll. maybe for the same reason
that you did
IF | wont disturb your practicng
may | stay he surprised himself by
asking. My name is Farnsworth.'
oh she gasped pointing to the
door. its your reception, given for
you. OF course you can't stay" again
pointing to The door
But mean 10 stay very deter
minedly. Il didn't catch your name"
The girl laughed deliciously.
spicy Belle Browning What are
you laughing at; Though people gen
orally do laugh"
1T is rather startling uame," he
admitted. Il don't think | ever heard
1t before
MY old nanny named me. My
mother died when | was born. The
Spicy part was after the pinks in the
garden. And we had an Old COW nam
ed Belle maybe that's where that part
came from. Grandmother was too
heartbroken TO care what they called
me"
She was tapping her pink shod foot
10 the strains Of the distant music.
Let me see. you've been away, haven t
YOU Her finger tapped her forehead
in an effort To remember. What was
it you did,
Nothing OF any consequence, he re
turned lightly Sing to me, won't
you
The girl caressed the banjo with low
ing fingers.
You'd like the old songs" she an
nounced suddenly. Il don't sing them
for many"
She began in voice like red roses
too low to escape the walls of the tiny
room. singing something about Juanita
and waking from Il dream too soon
BE my own fair bride" the soft voice
trailed-and stopped suddenly
Mrs. Glider" she gasped, They
don't know where | am. Maybe it's
my turn!"
"I'll help you find her" He rose
and together they made their way
down the long crowded hall. Mrs
Glider fairly gobbled up the disappear
ing hero. She listened vaguely when
he began his apologies and turned with
a tride more consideration to the girl
who stood at his elbow. Farnsworth
was more interested apparently in find
ing out when this young persons turn
came than he had been in all the bril-
liant conversation fired at hin: during
the earlier part of the evening.
She'll have time to dance with me
one time before she goes on. won't
sheY he begged
Until they reached the ballroom door
be forgot that he hadn't danced in ten
years
This is "A beastly thing to thrust on
you" he said II have not danced since
since you were an infant You un-
derstand. it was my only chance to get
you away from her. Did you ever try
to talk small conversation to young
ladies who lispedF'
Spicy Belle laughed
II mean young ladies-er-what do
mean-who are in society as-er-er-
a profession"
Its not half us hard as trying to
talk to young men who are in society
as--er- profession she Knocked
They had started to dance
ssYoutva bpan i'm Yourqalfy" no aeK-