The Winslow mail., 1923-03-16


Billy slowly Il don't know what"
''Of course, you never thought twice
about it. And no more did II" said
Aimee. 81 didn't care! And 1 don't
care now! or l wouldn't if it wasn't
for Dad. But people-it's all this mis-
cradle sentiment - that's what's
wrong"
"Yes| said Billy dizzily. 'Well-"
"And now-why, the police are look
ing for a man and woman on a motor
| cycle, and they'll find out we were
at Ivy cottage They'll get my de-
scription. And even when they find
out who really am
Billy drew in his breath sharply.
George told me it was my finish
even before this silly burglary hap
pened," continued Aimee gloomily.
"Georgie knows about these sort of
things. 1t isn't the burglary that mat
ters. 1 could get over that. It's this
this other thing"
| Billy was silent.
'The idea is" continued Aimee, with
| the same remarkable calm, "that I've
! lost my character; like a housemaid
that's been stealing or a groom
caught selling the corn. Only I
haven't been caught-yet.
'But-if Dad knewI You don't
know my father, Billy. 1 couldn't ex-
plain him to you. Dad is just about
the dearest thing that ever lived-in
his way. But he belongs to a time
about two hundred years back. Mother
would understand; but not Dad. It's
his creed that girl mustn't be even
suspected. 1t was only tonight Geor-
| gina told me this thing wouId-well,
| it would break his heart. And know
him; I see she's right. If you and
T."
stop" said Billy hoarsely. 'Don't
say any more. 1--we got to think
this thing out"
Aimee found that he had suddenly
| left her. Presently she became aware
of the outlines of his big figure, stand
| ing motionless just outside the cave
| He was there quite a long time. All
NEE sat where she was, twisting her
handkerchief between her fingers She
felt very much calmer. The trouble
and the stress were now with Billy.
He came back, and stood over her.
"I'm coyote" he said quietly
"What l need is a quirt laid across
me. I've been fool"
"Not a bit!" said Aimee quickly.
"How should you know?"
1T was my business to know !!
There isn't any excuse. But-things
are so different, where l come from
And l don't know anything about
women. We think lot of women,
down my way, but we don't talk about
them-much. Partner, this thing I've
let you in for through my foolish
ness-it's broken me all up."
Because I'm Lord Scroope's daugh-
ter?"
"No!" said Billy shortly. "Be the
same If you were his housemaid. But
it's up to me to see you clear-you
and him, too. And I'll do it."
His voice was so confident that
Aimee's trouble fell away from her,
| q
prickly husk.
"What are we to do then, Billy?"
'It seems to me-" said Billy gently,
that the simplest way is the best
way. Let's you an me go to the old
man. No use talkin' about it here.
I'll put it straight for you, partner" ."
'Nop'
81 hope / can make him see sense
even if he's two hundred years old,
as you say. It's all my fault. 1t isn't
yours-not one scrap Of it. l won't
say much-but come right along with
me to your father now-an' leave the
talking to me-"
Aimee rose.
"Never I won't have it, Billy p
she said desperately. 81 don't know
l don't know what you might say. If
it comes out I'm done for anyhow !;
I'm going to take the chance that 1t
won't! There must be way to stop
it-there must be some way.
"It's my trouble-minel And
won't have 1t given away"
Billy drew a quick breath and
Strengthened himself.
Right" he said. "Those are the
orders. 1 accept them. 1 s'pose a
man can't give away girls secret,
If she wants it kept. 1 know that
much"
"Why, Of course" said Aimee SIM
ply. "But will you please understand,
Billy, that I'm not going to drag YOU
into this. The best thing you can do
is to get away out Of it all. l shall
manage all right. don't want to"
"Cut that out" said Billy very qui-
city. 1T don't 60" There was a
pause. 81 did think, for a while, 1t
might be best-for you. But that's
wrong. I've got to be right on hand,
for I'll be wanted. Now hold on while
tell you what we've got to do"
"Yes?" said Aimee eagerly.
Billy stretched out a long arm,