The Dolores star., 1923-06-08
CHAPTER VII
The Way Of the Transaressor.

nc " dJ " Ni'I S''oS' ~SSS''
GeUrgina RwOke with start The
light from tiny electric torch daz-
zled her eyes; somebody was shaking
her violently.
"Wake up, old thing" whispered
Almees voice; -it's like trying to
rouse the dead. I'm anxious about
you. What did they say about that
little stunt on the Sydcrford roadY'
Georgina sat up with q gasp, and
clutched Aimee with both hands as
drowning person clutches llfe-buoy.
ITS you. is It !" she said fiercely.
I've got you, Aimee-make up your
mind to 1t! This dreadful business
Is finished. We're done for-espe-
cially your
"Ehi" exclaimed Aimee, little
startled. "What have you got the
breeze up about now?"
you'll know very soon! Who"
said GeorgIna sternly. still holding
her, was that Man that was with
you? Who was he?"
"Man?' said Aimee. -Oh, you mean
Billy. One of the best that ever
stepped! A clinking good sort"
"B-BlllyT echoed Georgina in n
shaking voice. Tell me. Tell me
all" she said. tightening her grip.
well. why not?" said Aimee, and
forthwith she related the Saga of
Billy. The tale, as 1t proceeded,
seemed to affect Georgina with creep
ing palsy. When 1t ended, she was
trembling violently. She made two
unsuccessful efforts to speak. She
reminded Aimee of q hen with some
thing stuck in its throat.
You are staying with this MANI
gasped Georgina. This Spencer-ln
Stanhoe? And he let you do 1t? The
mans a cadr'
Aimee sprang up, tearing herself
loose from her cousins hands.
How dare you say that! Cad? II
there's only one gentleman on this
earth, It's Bllly"
She glared at GeorgIna.
There's no beastly sentiment In
Billy, thank heaven. That's why we
became pals; because we want to get
away from 1t all. see nothing wrong
in it-nOr does he"
''Then he's fool" said GeorrIna
bitterly. "Oh, what can one say?" she
groaned. 81 know there :, nothing
wrong. That you are incapable Of
Of" she choked. And this man
From what you tell me, he is lust
such another as you. He Is not n
mamie Is childl Or he Is from
some place where things are-yerv
different from what they are with us.
But you are living In Eastshire-not
in the desert You know what East
shire Is. If ever this comes out-as
come out II must-your reputation
and your good name are gone-fin-
lshed!
THAT, I suppose. you do not care
for she said bitterly, rising and
facing Aimee. but one thing can tell
you and you may believe me, This
thing VIII kill your father!"
Aimee stared at her blankly.
Il know your father, better. per-
haps, than you do, Aimee. To Lord
Scroope, black is black and white
white. No one Is more proud, more
sensitive. That his daughter should
be living In an obscure lodging, under
an assumed name-wIth strange
man She picked up on the high rood
tell you, quite soberly and certainly
that 1t will break his heart"
There was long silence.
Suddenly Aimee sat down on the
bed and began to cry. She cried with
the abandon of child of ten. but
very piteously.
II never wanted to hurt Dadl" she
snufiied. II didn't think-I didn't
see-w
DO you understand at last7' said
Georgina grimly.
yves" gulped Aimee slowly. ~
believe do. Dadl l." she caupb,
Georgina by the arm. II must keer
that from him-I mustr