The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-06-28


I'm sorry" pant.a y. x. ., .nn. a.
quick as | could.''
"What are you looria- exr'tcl
about?" she SAID. 'eye,lg him suspi-
ciously.
"Oh-just seeing you." blurted Billy
That isn't true. I've never seen you
look excited before You've found out
something. What is it?"
Billy paused.
"It's true. have found out some
thing" he said quietly, "but there's
more to do. and I haven't quite all the
cards in my hands. It's the most amaz.
ing stunt yet. I'll tell you about 1t
the moment I've got it set"
Aimee looked at him wistfully.
Il don't think you ought to have any
secrets from your partner" she said.
Il always tell you everything"
"Give me till tonight" pleaded Billy.
II hate to talk about it now. It's ugly,
BY tonight we shall have either won or
iost-but Wen winl VIII you trust
mer
Aimee seated herself ON the turf be-
meath the sweetbriars.
"All right then" she said happily.
Let's forget our troubles for bit.
Sit down-yOu look so tall, towering
up there, that I can hardly see you
and I'll tell my news. It's much more
interesting than yours Do you know
that Alexander has got himself en-
gagged to my dear fat George, and
they're idiotically hnppy?"
Has her" cried Billy, dropping be-
side her. Good for him! She's real
trump of a girl, that. And the parsons
as white as they make them-he's q
fne fellow"
Yes. George will exactly suit him.
shouldn't have, bit"
Your exclaimed Billy.
Exactly. Aunt Erytheas idea is
that Alexander's marrying me. You're
not very bright today, Billy. They'll
have funny tangle to stralghten out,
when the crash comes"
Gee! They will. Well have to help
them somehow"
"Of course we shall. But I wonder
how well do it. And that's not all
the Vicomte has suddenly become be-
trothed, as he calls it, to Alexander's
sister-Cold Lambe."
She'll tone him down." said Billy
mot bit. He'll tone her up" re-
piled Aimee confidently, land jolly
good thing, too. So there they all are.
.oughtn't to have mentioned it to you,
Billy know how 1t depresses you.
It's horrible-all this sentiment"
Billy stared before him gloomily, and
was silent.
isn't it!' insisted Aimee.
"Sickeningr' said Billy, bitterly.
Aimee glanced at him and, looking
away, stirred the grass with the point
of his shoe. There was long pause.
what was it you were saying
about things?" said Aimee.
Il told you," replied Billy, that be-
fore tomorrow 1t will either be com
plete crash-or all clear"
Aimee nodded.
II see. That means, in the first case,
that I'll be xploded-broken-do
for"
mol" said Billy, sharply.
1T does, though. But in the second,
If things go better-I shall just be
back at Scroope, in sort of mild dis
grace-stood in the corner. That's
nothing much. I'm used to 1t. And
there you arei Well, the curtains soon
going to ring down. Our partner
ship"
Billy turned to her quickly.
'Is finished" continued Aimee quiet
ly, looking out across the park. II
shan't be able to ride the Sphinx for
you, Billy. I'm sorry about that. 1t
would have been fun"
Billy caught his breath.
You mean," he said slowly, "that !
shan't see you again?"
II mean that. How can you? Our
little holiday is over, Billy"
His fingers closed on the turf on
either side of him, and dug deep.
II understand. It's up to me. To-
morrow-we don't even know each
other"
He let go the turf. and caught her
ands
"Aimeel"
"Billyl"
Before either Of them knew how 1t
happened, he had her In his arms.
II can't let you gol" said Billy Wild
ly. You're the darling of the world.
The loveliest. brightest thing that ever
breathed. Aimee-do you think-you
could try and love me7"
Love you" said Aimee, trembling.
"Who could help loving you, Billy"
He held her tight and kissed her.
II was SO frightened" said Aimee,
in a stified voice.
"Frightened-!" He held her tighter.
"That you'd be frightened"
Mel"
of being sentimental" painted
Aimee
Billy felt stunned.
"If you knew what I've been
through" he said a little hoarsely,
'-this past week-trying not to let you
see II I"