Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1922-11-09
CHAPTER Hl-contlnusd.

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That's what comes 10 a horse that
wanders from his stable-lot out on the
frozen pond" said Shottle as Drace
came up to laugh at him.
You've made a rip In the skirt of
the bali SUR enough" Drace replied,
taking hfmZbTthe= arnd.ZA And then
suddenly he hHited. for he caught
sight of a girl coming toward him. A
momen before. there had been nu-
merous young women In the room. but
now there was only one-the barbaric
rose maid. the girl who had touched
his heart with a torch.
With her walked a tall. handsome
and well-dressed young man. Her hand
rested upon his arm, and she seemed
TO listen with pleasure to his evident
~ ardent wooing. She looked at
Drace. one glance. and then turned
her eyes back to her cavalier and
passed on And a flame OF jealousy
was added to the turmoil that already
held possession OF him.
who Is she. Shottlefn demanded
Drace.
II don't know. but I'll find out.
Lord. but she Is a fletcher"
He moved OF. lodging the dancers
here and there, while Drace sat alone
In n window. waiting.
The orchestra struck up the supper
march. and Shottle. stalking his prey,
saw the lady who had so excited
Braces interest seated with her cava.
lier in an aicove and supping daintily.
Possessing himself Of a plate and a
goodiy portion OF chicken. Shottle re-
turned and brazenly seated himself
near them, listening With all his ears.
"Nadlne," the cavalier was saying.
"you wrong me In thinking / seek TO
influence you through my friendship
with your father. II is true he owes
me much; and II is true that II | were
TO become a member OF his family !
would forget that. But I want to make
you care for M for myself. IT,"
FLUSH. Mr.. Boyce." said the girl.
'sThere are people near-this is no
place TO discuss such things"
The young man lowered his voice.
and Shottle could hear no more. He
calmly finished his chicken and her
sought out Drnce. whom he found pac-
ing up and down impntiently.
"Well7" demanded Drace.
'Hls name" announced Shottle, sis
Boyce. Frederick Royce, probably
or maybe John. 1t would be John, I'd
think"
"Hang his namel" exclaimed Drace.
.DId o find out hersir'
Nadine" replied Shottle with a
triumphant air.
"Nadine," repeated Drace, and ca
ressed the name with his lips. but
what's her last name?"
Brown probably, or maybe Jones.
Or 1t might even be Smith"
Drace scowled his wrath at such
fippancy. "Look here. Lib" he said.
sTrn give you twenty-five dollars TO
find out her full name and where she
lives. I'll give you a hundred II you'll.
find somebody who'll Introduce me to
her"
Its a bet" said Shottle. but I
must warn you you're late. Boyce
wants her TO marry him. and he's got
a hold on her father. But she stood
him of"
"H'm-she stood him Off? My offer
stands, Lib. She couldn't possibly
throw herself away on a lowlooking
fellow like that"
Shottle asked for the twenty-five In
advance. was denied and took himself
OF. grumbling. He found Boyce and
the girl called Nadine Just leaving the
little a~lcove, and stopped them. bow
ing low. "Sir." be said. addressing
Boyce, II have been directed to In
form this lady that she has been
awarded a prize as the best Walter
10 the room. II you viii be so good
as to give me her name and address
in order that II may be delivered to
herr"
Boyce regarded Shottle suspiciousIy.
'sWeil !" he exclaimed. II didn't know
they did that sort of thing here. What
II the prize and who lis giving III"
@The prize" replied Shottle blandly,
ais a-turkey. II Ia given by the
By q leading butcher Of, the town"
Boyce laughed. and the girl added
~ silver msrrimsnt I'm surs I'm
1nttoreA" - aid sThs nAms b