The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1923-04-06
CHAPTER XXI
Not GUILTY.

The guilty pair arose to their fest
Aimee, from rosy red, had turned ex
9emely pale. There was every ex
cuse for 1t. Lady Erythea's expires
sion was enough to unnerve the stout
est heart.
"Apd this" in a voice like the clash
ing Of motors gear-hox, I'm the face
Of my express warning! You are dis
charged, She took a step towards
Aimee. "And as for you"
Billy interposed his large figure be
tween them.
Madam" he said, IF you have any
comments to make, please make then
ID me. Or, better still-do not make
them at 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, ito dictate to mer
Mr.. William Spencer bowed.
VI hope-my lady-that It will not
be necessary. What I do presume Is
TO defend Observation-Disclosures any
reproaches whatever. This IL her
afternoon off,"
Aimee looked at them both-espe-
cially at Lady Erythea. And fol- once
the sand" on which she had so often
been complimented, deserted her. Al
NEE turned suddenly and fed.
The terrier, under the impression
that It 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 fi1ed on the in
truQer.
= II you require an explanation, Lady
Drythea," he said quietly, Il guess l
can give you one very briefly. ! have
just asked Miss snooks to ms ...s me-
l.. Lady EExthss. was mentally stag
-. "You have asked her-to
marry your" she said, staring at Billy.
"And she has done me the great
honor to consent"
Billy's grim expression relaxed Into
q very charming smile.
II 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-
ployer's approval
His employer gazed at him dumbly.
The announcement came as q shock.
And It was difficult even for Lady
Erythea to resist Billys smile. AS
well attempt to resist sunbeam. She
melted imperceptibly. Her faculties
were bemused. Billy, despite the
smile, looked so extraordinarily digni-
fed 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
days?" she said acidly. rs that-an
American custom?"
Billy's smile intensified.
II haven't much experience, my
lady," he said, "but think It's a
British custom, too-sometimes"
With two such recent examples at
hand, her ladyshlp 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 dlsarming about Billy.
"What you tell me, Spencer" she
said at last, places new aspect on
the case. 1t is, suppose, within your
discretion to engage yourself to a
young woman If you wish to do So
The situation in which I found you
led me to suspect mere irresponsible
philandering-a thing most stringent
ly forbidden within the precincts OF
Jervaulx. Admitting the seriousness
of your Intentions" she continued
with returning Indignation, II am still
unable to consider your behavior dec
orous."
II 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.
~ am making unprecedented allow
ances for you, Spencer" she said,
."since I cannot forget how far / am
Indebted to you for the recovery OF
my emeralds. II was under mis-
as to your conduct Just
now, It was natural. will say no
more. But I gather from this event
that you will he leaving my service In
any case, so | will merely give you q
weeks notice-if you are willing to
stay so long"
Eyes, guess shall be quitting
rather soon," said Billy. but III De
very glad to serve your ladyship IN
the meantime, and hope I'll give sat
isfaction. But. may take 1t that you
won't out II across that you will not