The Winslow mail., 1923-02-16

ing loving hand on the tank of the
motorcycle sell this"
"Weird-looking thing" said Aimee,
with interest, for the cycles engine
was of a remarkable shape. "Yours?"
"Mine" said the stranger joyously.
"Alone 1 did it. I hold the patent. It's
Sanakatowzer-the Flying Sphinx !"
Ripping name Can it fiy?"
Can it fly? 1t devours space like
the sunbeams lick up the mists of the
mornin'! And no more noise than a
baby's whisper.
Around the world in thirty winks
When once astride the Flying Sphinx!
Its got Sinbad's Carpet an the.
Seven-league Boots guessing" He
threw leg over the saddle. Like
spin up the road? Jump up behind !"
Aimee Immediately perched herself
on the carrier. There was a whirl-
wind charm about the stranger that
carried her away. The next moment
the Flying Sphinx did the same. The
wind whistled past Aimee's ears. To
keep her seat she was obliged to grab
Billy suddenly round the waist.
Don't mind if 1 hold you?" she
gasped.
"ShucksE' said Billy impatiently. 81
don't care how you hold me, s'long's
you don't hit the gritl"
They breasted the crest of the rise.
"Hang tight now!'' he cried. 'WeIl
let her out"
The Sphinx went forward with the
whirr of a shell. She peeled the road
way behind her like a running tape.
Aimee felt the roar of the wind rise
to scream. Billy leaned lightly for
ward towards the handle-bars, cool,
effortless, efficient.
Aimee was only conscious of being
whirled gloriously through space, when
the Sphinx, after two-mile loop, slid
back to the spot whence she had
started. Aimee sprang from the car
rier~
"Oh, thank you" she gasped. '"That
was too good to be true!"
The cyclist, without dismounting,
looked at her glowing face and frank
eyes.
81 wish there were more like you,"
he said, laughing. "Tell 'em-who-
ever they are-to can the sentiment.
Slong, an good luck to you!"
He raised his cap, and next moment
the Sphinx whirred him away in a
cloud of golden dust. Aimee followed
him with her eyes till he was round
the bend, then she turned back into
the park. 1t seemed to her that the
sunlight had become less vivid and the
sky paler.
Very slowly, Aimee made her way
back to the portals of Scroope Towers,
where the heavy family car, laden
with luggage, stood waiting. Georgina
was on the steps, abundantly wrapped
up, and Lord Scroope stood beside
her.
'tGrundle," he said to the chauffeur,
''you will drop Miss Berners at the
station and take Miss Aimee on to
Jervaulx, returning here direct"
The chauffeur, who was a middle
aged man with a singularly wooden.
expression, seemed to be making a
mental effort. He saluted staring
straight before him.
"Goodby, Georgina Bless you, my
child; bless you! Drive on, Grundle.
What are you waiting for?"
The car meandered out of Scroope
park and turned northward along the
main road. Georgina was in low spir-
it's. Aimee throughout had been seeth-
ing with an enormously increased
sense of mutiny, and, as they neared
the station, she exploded.
II can't stand it, Georgie!"
81 wish I were you!" said Georgina
mournfully.
"EhY'
81 wish I were Aimee Scroope and
on my way to Jervaulx abbey. That's
ALL"
Aimee started slightly. An extraOr-
dinary impish expression came into
her eyes. Georgina, who knew the
sign of old, looked at her nervously.
you are!" said Aimee, in voice
of unlooked-for decision.
"What on earth do you mean?"
Aimee gripped her by the arm, and
replied, in a low voice that bubbled
with excitement.
my dear, fat cousin, your full
name, as 1 remember, is Georgina
Amy Scroope Berners! Lop off the
superfiuous head and tail, and there
you are-Amy ScrOOpe. Near enough
for anyone. You are going to Jervaulx
instead of me Aunt Erythea has
never seen me, nor has Alexander
Lambe And neither Of them know
you from ADAM mean Eve! You'll
suit them down to the ground !''
Georgina looked at her with dawn
ing terror.
"It is a gorgeous arrangement" ex-
claimed Aimee, tightening her grip on
her cousins arm. "And nothing cas-
ier. Uncle Joseph will never miss