The Dolores star., 1923-07-27
CHAPTER XXI
Not Guilty.

The guilty pair arose 10 thelr leet.
Aimee. from rosy red, had turned eN-
tremely pale. There was every eN-
cuse for 1t. Lady Erythea's expires
sion was enough TO unnerye the stout
est heart
And this" in a voice like the clash
ing Of a motors gearbOx. "ln the face
of my express warning! You are dis
charged" She took a step towards
Aimee. "And as for YOU"
Billy lnterposed his large figure be-
tween them.
MADAM" he said, "lf You have any
comments to make, please make them
to me. or, better still-do not make
them nt all"
His voice was quiet and respectful.
But his chin was lifted remarkably
high, and his lips compressed danger
ously.
Lady Erythea struggled for breath,
Are you presuming," she said. in
a strangled voice. "to dictate to me"
Mr.. William Spencer bowed.
81 hope-my lady-that It will not
be necessary What l do presume is
to defend s-SnOoks-agaInst any
reproaches whatever. This Is her
afternoon or"
Aimee looked at them both-espe-
cially at Lady Erythea. And for once
the sand" on which she had so often
been compllmented, deserted her. Al
NEE turned suddenly and fed.
The terrier, under the impression
that 1t was all an extremely interest
ing game got up for his amusement.
pursued her out Of sight round the
bushes, giving tongue excItedly.
Billy kept his eyes fixed on the In
truder.
''1f you require an explanation, Lady
Erythea," he said quietly, ~ guess
can give you one very briefly. have
just asked Miss Snooks to marry me-"
Lady Erythea was mentally stag
gered. You have asked her-to
marry youF she said. staring at Billy.
"And she has done me the great
honor to consent"
Billy's grim expression relaxed into
d very charming smile.
Il feel sure your ladyship will not
throw any obstacles in the way Of this
humble romance" he said gently. I'VE
shall be very happy to have our en-
ployers approval"
His employer gaZed at him dumbly
The announcement came as d shock.
And 1t was difficult even for Lady
Erythea to resist Billy's smile. As
well attempt to resist a sunbeam. She
melted imperceptibly Her faculties
were bemused. Billy, despite the
smile, looked so extraordinarily digni-
fled that Lady Erythea almost felt an
impulse to apologize to her chauffeur
She made an effort to recover her
austerlty.
You have asked this girl to marry
you-after an acquaintance of four
daysT' she said acldly. rs that-an
American custOm?"
Biliy's smile intensified.
Il haven't much experience, my
lady, he said, but | think It's q
British custom, too-sometimes."
with two such recent examples a,
hand, her ladyship felt unable to con.
tradict him. She looked at him stead
iiy, wondering why she felt no resent.
ment. There was something so re,
markably disarming about Billy.
What you tell me, Spencer" she
SAID at last, places a new aspect on
the case. 1t is, suppose, within your
discretion to engage yourself to O
young woman If you wish to do so
Ihe situation in which l found YOU
Ied me to suspect mere irresponsible
pillandering-a thing most stringent
ly forbidden within the precincts OF
Jervaulx. Admitting the seriousness
Of your Intentions" she continued
with returning Indignation, 81 am still
unable to consider your behavior dec
| orOus."
Il was very careful to choose n
place Just outside the park boundary
my lady," said Billy gravely, land
was obliged to make use OF the smaI
amount of free time at my disposal
Lady Erythea drew long breath.
Il am making unprecedented allow
ances for you, Spencer" she said
since l cannot forget how far l nm
Indebted to you for the recovery ot
my emeralds. II was under a mis-
apprehension as to your conduct 1us,
now' 1t was natural. Will say NJ
more. But gather from this eyeni
that you will be leaving my service ir
any case. 80 will merely give you q
weeks notice-if you are willing te
stay so long"
Yes, l guess I shall be qulttins
rather soon," said Billy. but III b,
very glad to serve your ladyship IL
the meantime and 7 hrsr~ IN,