The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1907-01-03
Spicy Belle
BY
CAMPBELL MACLEOD
Copyright, 1896, bu N. N. Cunningham
CAMPBELL MACLEOD

lady in question was putting her way
through the crowded parlors in search
OF him.
1t 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. A
debutante who lisped had reduced him
to state Of cold persplratiOn. He had
started recklessly down the hall. A
door had stood invltingly open. He
had walked In, hoping it gave on a
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 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 a
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. II didn't mean
to intrude."
Don't mind me-" she begged. "Were
you running away"
I'm afraid So" guiltily and glanc-
ing furtlvely at her.
She was very young person, almost
a 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-
manded. "You aren't afraid of them,
are you"
"I'm not one of the guests" cheer
fully. Pm an entertainer, The time
appointed for my stunt" holding up
the banjo, "hasn't arrived yet"
81 see," refectively. But what are
you doing here aloneY
ut was cool and unOccupied, and l
slipped in, maybe for the same reason
that you did"
"If l won't disturb your practicing,
may stay?" he surprised himself by
asking. "AIy name is Farnsworth."
"Oh," she gasped, pointing to the
door, ''it's your reception, given for
you. OF course you can't stay" again
pointing to the door.
But l mean to 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"
ut is rather startling name" he
admitted. II don't think 1 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
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
1t you didT'
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. a don't sing them
for many"
She began in a 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
tralled-and stopped suddenly.
Mrs Gllderw 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 tritie 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 him during
the earlier part of the evening.
She'll 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 beastly thing to thrust on
you," he said. 81 have not danced since
since you were an infant. You un-
derStand, 1t 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. =,
Il mean yoang hdies-er-what do l
mean-who are In society as-er-er-
a profession"
ITS not half as hard as trying to
talk to young men who are In society
as-er-professlon," she mocked
They had started to dance.
you've been in yourself% he ask
ed. "You can appreciate my misery"
YES" quietly. II was In two years
ago myself. Then the money went