Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1912-05-31
making success Of II. But Riyerdale


Mrs. Deacon Prices adopted son and
probable heir to all the Price money
and broad acres, nevertheless he was
an unknown waif from the orphan
asylum and not quite on level with
the rest of them who had been born
In the houses they lived in and expect
ed to die in.
To taunt Billy Phenomenon with a
tenderness for Florine Gray was like
touching an open wound.
AS he walked toward home Billy
Phenomenon turned over in his mind
the possibility of his asking Florine
Gray to go to the party the next night
He had never invited girl to go any
where in his life, and it was a custom
in Riverdale social circles for young
men to escort their girl friends and
sweethearts to all the merry makings In
the neighborhood, and 1t was very
rare occurrence that girl cared to go
without masculine escort. 1t was an
open acknowledgment Of being with.
out admirers.
OF course Florine Gray would never
be in that predlcament save of her own
choosing, for she was the acknowl-
edged belle Of Riverdale and could
have had her pick among a dozen of
the most eligible young men. As a
matter Of fact every youth gathered
about the village stove that night had
asked Florine If he might escort her
to the party-that Is, every one save
Billy Phenomenon. And Florine had
sweetly and graciously refused every
one without explanation. and the cha
grined youths found solace in the
thought that Florine was stuck up
and proud. Even her cousin. Sandy
Peters, had made half joking attempt
to invite Florine, but he retired in
confusion at the first shake Of her sun.
ny head.
Sandy, boy" Florine had smiled
"if you take me to the party who will
take Oracle Blake? 1 suppose Jacob
Leonard won't mind that"
Il should say not" exploded Sandy.
you're right, Florine. l guess I bet
ter take Oracle, and you can go with
whoever you want to. l might as
well go and ask her, ehY'
Eyes, do" urged Florine. and he
went.
Billy Phenomenon knew nothing
about all this, but he was thinking Sc
riously of asking Florine to go. Per-
haps she had refused all the other fell
lows for the reason that she was hop
hn oit u oil ~ y
shown her so much attention last sum-
mer might come down to Riverdale.
He had heard through devious chan
nels that had had Its source with the
girl In the postoffice that the city chap
had sent several picture postal cards
to Florine after his departure.
IF she's waiting for that fellow to
ask her and he don't maybe she'll be
sorry she didn't accept one of the
boys" pondered Billy Phenomenon as
he dreamed along the road toward
home. ut will be too bad If she has
to stay home after ALL" His heart
beat unsteadlly as he thought about
Florlne Gray and realized the utter
hopelessness of his love for her.
He was passing the Gray place now.
and his steps Jagged, as they always
did. The house set back under the
tall. bare locust trees. and a soft light
was dlffused through the drawn vel
low shades. 1t was growing dark
now, and he could see something
white leaning against the private
hedge that surrounded the orchard.
1t must be Florine Gray. She wore a
white sweater coat and a white cap.
Florine did not hear him coming
She was leaning against one Of the
slender young trees inside the hedge.
and she was sobbing softly. quietly.
Billy Phenomenon stood frozen in his
tracks. Florine Gray. the lovely. fortu-
nate girl, belle of Riverdale, crying
for what? He could think of only one
answer. The city chap had neglected
to invite her to the party. For an in
slant he longed to annihilate the city
chap as he had yearned to do in the
summer time. In his minds eye the
air was full Of immaculate neckties,
polished tan shoes and snowy panama
hats. He forgot his shyness; he for
got that he hardly knew Florine save
in his dreams; he forgot everything ex-
cept that he loved her and she was in
trouble.
He leaned over the hedge "Florine!'
he called gently.
"Oh! cried Florine sharply and turn
ed about, but he could not see her face
In the darkness. who Is It? What
do you want" Her voice quavered.
"It's me-Billy Phenomenon. I-er-I
was going to ask you If you'd go to the
party with me tomorrow night" STAN
mered Billy excitedly.
Florine swayed toward him and
the hedge with little white,
cold hands. "Why-why-Billy, what
made You ask me?" she questioned ea-
gerly.
Because wanted you to 60 with
me. I'd be proud to-of course you
don't know how feel about it." Billy
was talking rapidly now. His hands
were covering Florines little cold ones,
and, wonder Of wonders, she had not
them. Their young faces
were close together and he could feel
the quick intake Of her breath. II new