The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1923-02-23
CHAPTER XII
A Gamblers Chance.

A Gamblers Chance.
Billy stared straight before him
When at last he found his voice, i
had so dazed tone that Aimee hardl!
recognized it. He laid a hand on he
shoulder.
'This things got me guessing" sale
Billy slowly. IL don't know what
"Of course, you never thought twice
about it. And no more did II" saiC
Aimee. 81 didn't care! And 1 don'i
care now! Of 1 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 dizziIy. 'Well-'
"And now-why, the police are look
ing for man and woman on a motor
cycle and they'll find out we were
at Ivy cottage. They'll get my de-
scrtption. And even when they find
out who 1 really ann
Billy drew in his breath sharply.
"Gecrgie told me it was my finish
| even before this Silly burglary hap
pened," continued Aimee gIoomily.
"Georgfe knows about these sort of
things. 1t isn't the burglary that mat
ters could get over that. It's this
this other thing"
Billy was silent.
+The idea is" continued Aimee, with
the same remarkable calm, shat Eve
lost my character; like hOusemaid
that's been stealing, or groom
caught selling the corn. Only
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 Hved-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 a girl mustn't be even
suspected. 1t was only tonight Geor-
gina told me this thing wo1id-well,
1t would break his heart. And l know
him; see she's right. If you and
II
"Stop!" said Billy hoarsely- Don't
say any more. 1--we got to think
this thing out"
Aimee fsdnd that he had suddenly
left her. Presently she became aware
of the outlines Of his big figure stand
Ing motlonless just outside the cave
He was there quite 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 quirt laid across
me. I've been a fool"
"Not a Bit" said Aimee quickly
''How should you llnow?"
SIT was my business to know!
There isn't any excuse. But-things
are so different, where come from
And 1 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-ft's broken me all up"
Because I'm Lord Scroope's daugh-
terY
mol" said Billy shortly. "Be the
same II you were his hausemaid. But
It's up to me to see you clear-you
and him, too. And Tie do it."
His voice was so confident that
Aimee's trouble fell away from her,
as a sun-ripened chestnut sheds its
prickly husk.
what are we to do then, RtllyT
ut seems to me-" said Billy gently,
that the simplest way Il the best
way. Lets you an me go to the old
man. No use tslkin' about 1t here.
I'll put it straight for you, partner"
moi"
II hope can make him see sense
even II he's two hundred years old,
as you say. It's all my fault. 1t isn't
one scrap Of 1t. won't
say much-but come right along with
me to your father now-an' leave the
talking to me-"
Aimee rose.
"Neverl 1 won't have 1t, Billy"
she said desperately. 81 don't know
1 don't know what you might say. II
1t comes out I'm done for anyhow;
I'm going to take the chance that 1t
won't! There must be a way to stop
It-there must be some way.
ITS my trouble-mine! And l
won't have 1t given away"
Billy drew quick breath and
Strengthened himself.
"Right!" he said. Those are the |
orders. 1 accept them. 1 .s'pose q