The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-07-05

""t 40 presume is
10 ueiend -Snooks-against anv
reproaches whatever. This Is har
afternoon off," "er
aimee looked at them both-esna.
cially at LADY Erythea. And fo, nn".
the sand" on which she had co of,a,,
oeen complimented, deserted her. Al
NEE turned suddenly and fed
Ihe terrier, under the impression
that 1t was all an extremely jnterest.
ing game got up for his amusemen,
pursued her out of sight round tho
bushes, giving tongue excitedIv
Billy kept his eyes fixed on tho t.
trnder. '"e III
III you require an explanation. Ladv
Erythea,' he said quietly, 81 guess I
can give you one very briefly. / have
just asked Miss Snooks to marry me :"
Lazy Erythea was mentally stag
gered. You have asked her-to
marry your" she said, staring at Billy
AND she has done me the great
honor to consent"
bihys grim expression relaxed into
very charming smile,
i feel sure your ladyship will moi
throw any obstacles in the way of this
humble romance" he said gently. 1--WE
snail be very happy to have our EN-
pioyer's approval"
Ills employer gazed at him dumbly.
Inc announcement came as a 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
ned that Lady Erythea almost felt an
impulse to apologize to her chauffeur.
She made an effort to recover her
austerity.
You have asked this girl to marry
you-after an acquaintance of four
daysf' she said acidly. "Is that-an
American customT
Billy's smile intensified.
Il haven't much experience, my
lady," he said. but 1 think it's II
British custom, too-sOmetimes."
With two such recent examples AT
hand, her ladyship felt unable to con
tradict him. She looked at him stead
lily, 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 new aspect on
the case. 1t Is, I suppose, within your
discretion to engage yourself to q
young woman If you wish to do so
The situation in which I found you
led me to suspect mere irresponsible
philandering- 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 a
place just outside the park boundary,
my lady," said Billy gravely, land /
was obliged to make use of the small
amount of free time at my disposal -
Lady Erythea drew long breath.
II am making unprecedented allow
ances for you, Spencer" she said,
"since I cannot forget how far l am
Indebted to you for the recovery of
my emeralds. If 1 was under a mis-
apprehension as to your conduct just
now. 1t was natural. I will say no
more. But I gather from this event
that you will be leaving my service In
any case, so I will merely give you a
weeks notice-if you are willing to
stay so long"
Eyes, I guess I shall be quitting
rather soon," said Billy, "but I'll be
very glad to serve your ladyship in
the meantime, and hope I'll give sat
isfaction. But, may l take It that you
won't put 1t across-that you will not
say anything to-AmyY'
II have nothing more to say in the
matter whatever" replied her lady
ship abruptly. But you must under
stand that the conduct of both of you
will have to be rigidly circumspect
and correct"
Billy twinkled.
1--WE shall be careful to give your
ladyship no grounds for complaint"
he said.
Lady Erythea had vague impress
sion that Billy was laughing at her. 1t
was stranger still that she did not
seem to feel any resentment.
You may go!" she said, with ges-
ture of dismissal.
Billy saluted and walked away.
She watched his tall figure till 1t had
aul lh