The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-04-04
THE JOY Of LlOlNG

~
sion was enough to unnerye the stout
est heart.
"And this" in a voice like the clash
ing of a motors gear-box, 'in the face
of my express warningi 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 them
to me. Or, better still-do not make
them at IL"
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 p~resuming," she said, In
a strangled voice, ito dictate , o me p
Mr.. William Spencer bowed.
81 hope-my lady-that it will not
be necessary. What l do presume is
to defend Observation-Disclosures any
reproaches whatever. This is her
afternoon off,"
Aimee looked at them both-espe-
cially at Lady Erythea. And for 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 1t was all an extremely interest
ing game got up for his amusement
pursued her out Of sight round the
bushes, giving tongue e~xcitedly.
Billy kept his eyes fixed on the In.
truder.
IF you require an explanation. Lady
Erythea," he said quietly, 81 guess ]
can give you n very briefly. | have
just asked Miss Shocks tt marry me-
Lady Erythea was mentally stag
gered. you have asked her--to
marry you?" she said. staring at Billy
"And she has done me the great
honor to consent"
Billy's grim expression relaxed into
a very charming smile.
Il feel sur your ladyship will not
throw any obstacles in the way of this
humble romance" he said gently. ave
shall be very happy to have our EN-
ployer's approval
His employer gazed at him dumbly
The announcement came as a shock
And it was difficult even for Lady
Erythea to resist Billy's smile. AS
we'll attempt to resist a 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
a~usterity.
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.
81 haven't much experience. my
lady," he said, but l think it's q
British custom, too-sometimes."
With wv such recent examples al
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 a new aspect or
the case. 1t is, l suppose, within youi
discretion to engage yourself to a
young woman if you wish to do so
The situation in which l 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."
81 was very careful to choose 9
place just outside the park boundary
my lady," said Billy gravely. land
was obliged to max use of the small
amount of free time at my disposal
Lady Erythea drew G long breath.
~ am making unprecedented allow.
ances for you. Spencer" she said
.'since l cannot forget how far l am
indebted TO you for the recovery OF
my emeralds. If l was under a mis-
apprehension as to your conduct just
now, it was natural. 1 will say nc
more. But | gather from this event
that you will be leaving my service in
any case, so l will merely give you a
weeks notice-if you are willing to
stay so long"
''Yes, l guess l shall be quitting
rather soon," said Billy, ''but I'll be
very glad to serve your ladyship in
the meantime, and l hope I'll give sat
isfaction. But, may l take it that you
won't put it across-that you will not
say anything to-Amy?'
81 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"