The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1907-02-27
Spicy Belle
BY
CAMPBELL MACLEOD
COPYRIGHT, 1906, by NJ. N. Cunningham
Copyright, 1906. bu M. NJ. Cunningham

reception was III IuII DldSL, DuI T aims
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. A
debutante who lisped had reduced him
to a state of cold perspiration. He had
started recklessly down the hall. a
door had stood invitingly open. He
had walked in hoping 1t gave on
porch. 1t had proved quite the most
attractive spot he had seen since he
had left the jungles of South America
a month ago and had found himself IA
nous as the author of a book on "Un-
known Amazon Lands"
This room was green and cool. A
bank of palms concealed piano. Be
hind the piano was an open window.
Here he could indulge in cigarette.
Good! As he scratched the match
faint exclamation of surprise from the
far corner drew his attention In that
direction. A young girl was observ-
Ing him with calm amusement.
II beg your pardon" he began, throw
Ing away the cigarette. 81 didn't mean
to intrude."
Don't mind me-" she begged. "Were
you running away"
"I'm afraid so," guiltily and glanc-
Ing furtively at her.
She was very young person, almost
n child. Her dress was faint pink, and
she idly thrummed the banjo in her
lap. He realized that she was exceed
lIngly 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?'
"Pm not one of the guests" cheer
fully. I'm an entertainer. The time
appointed for my stunt" holding up
the banjo, "hasn't arrived yet"
II see," refiectively. But what are
you doing here aloneT
ut was cool and unoccupied, and
slipped in, maybe for the same reason
that you did,"
IF 1 won't disturb your practicing.
may stayF' he surprised himself by
asking. my name is Farnsworth."
"Oh." she gasped, pointing to the
door, tits your reception, given for
you. OF course you can't stayi" again
pointing to the door.
But l mean to stay" very deter
minedly. II didn't catch your name"
The girl laughed deliciously,
"Spicy Belle Browning. What are
you laughing at? Though people gen
orally do laugh"
sit Is rather a startling name," he
admitted. az don't think l ever heard
1t before"
my old nanny named me. My
mother died when l 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
to the strains of the distant music.
Let me see. you've been away, haven't
your" Her finger tapped her forehead
in an effort to remember. "What was
it you didT
Nothing of any consequence" he re-
turned lightly. "Sing to me, won't
your"
The girl caressed the banjo with low
ing fingers. .--.
"You'd like the old songs" she an
nounced suddenly. ST 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 a dream too soon.
"Be my own fair BRIDE" the soft voice
trailed-and stopped suddenly.
Mrs. GilderV' she gasped. ''They
don't know where l am! Maybe it's
my turn!"
'rI'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
be began his apologies and turned with
trife more consideration to the girl
who stood at his elbow. Farpsworth
was more interested apparently In find
Ing out when this young persons turn
came than he had been in all the bril-
liant conversation fred at him during
the earlier part of the evening.
shell have time to dance with me
one time before she goes on, won't
she" he begged.
Until they reached the ballroom door
he forgot that he hadn't danced in ten
years. -
This is a beastly thing to thrust on !
gou," 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 liSped?"
Spicy Belle laughed.
II mean young ladies-er-what do
mean-who are In society as-er-er-
= professlonP'
TITS not half as hard as trying to!
talk to young men who are in society
ls-er-profession," she Knocked.
They had started to dance.
you've been in yourselfF" he ask
ed. you can appreciate my misery"
EYES," quietly, 81 was 'in' two years
ago myself. Then the money went
I've been working since and much hap
pier" After little pause, "You dance
like a thistle, Mr.. Farnsworth.'
you've made me forget my feet;
that's all. 1 never danced with any
ease before in my life"
"You aren't telling the TRUTH she
accused softly.
May 1 come to see you tomorrow
morning?' he asked. "And when are
you going home tonight? Yonder she's
reckoning" indicating putting 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
an rsfr k..,LI