The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-04-12
scroope had been liberal on her de

parture.
What row there'll be-" chuckled
| Aimee, "if George doesn't play upi
don't care. / gave them my uIti-
matum. They can't hang me. I've
been very patient with them ALL One
must make stand sometime or other
Who does my life belong to-" demand
ed Aimee. never purist in gram
mar, "if not to me?"
A faint sound was borne upon the
breeze, noise that attuned itself Gu
riously to Aimee's thoughts 1t was
like the buzz of homing bee She
looked up. and saw motorcycle
speeding along the road with a smear
Of following dust behind it like the
tall of comet. Aimee recognized the
Flying Sphinx, and became aware of
laughing face looking up at hers.
and set of very white teeth.
why. IT'S Billy!" she cried spon
taneously.
/. Hello. old chap!" cried the cyclist.
Billy was bare-headed. his fair hair
sticking up at the crown in little
tuft that blew about In the wind.
where were you making for?' he
said.
"The unemployment bureaul" re-
torted Aimee flippantly.
Billy's face expressed concern.
81 suppose you're guying me. Yon
don't mean you've lost your job?"
"Job." Aimee bubbled with amuse,
ment. "Well, ] had a job all ready
Cor me this morning. But it's washed
out. I've lost It. And now I'm adrlft.
Billy was perplexed. He had been
wholly unable 10 place Aimee. He
wondered If she we're a governess. A
question was on his lips, but he
checked himself for fear of giving OF.
fense.
Lost itT' he exclaimed. II guess
it's just as we'll You look a heap
happier! What job d'you think of
chasing"
IL don't know"
Billy looked at her eagerly. A sud
den flash came into his eyes. as one
who conceives a superb idea.
"Sayl Let me find you onel I've
brain-wavei"
what do you meanT
go shares with mel"
"Shares?' echoed Aimee. She was
conscious of curious little thrill
"Share what?'
"See here!" said Billy, cycling her
keenly. when we were doing fifty.
five on the Sphinx, you never wilted-
never turned hairl'
"Of course not. 1t was gorgeous
He came nearer intensely earnest.
"Know anything about motor en-
ginesY' he said quickly.
I've often taken down the old bus
at home. on a wet day, and reas
sembled it."
Where was thatT
"At the place where 1 had job,
said Aimee.
Great !" he cried. You're the thing
I've been looking for all these months
Now, listen to the brain-wave. Tn
over here to sell the Sphinx. There's
big deal on in London. But what
1 wants a quiet spot where can
develop some Of the gadgets with nc
crooks around to steal 'em. Get me7
"Yes, 60 on" said Aimee, catching
/
I'm heading now for little town
called Stanhoe. thirty miles south OF
here. Stanhoe's quiet as the tomb
I've struck It before. There's an old
mill b'lieve 1 can get hold Of. and
fit up as garage and workshop-"
Yes, seew said Aimee eagerly.
"Come on into 1t with income te
StanhOei" said Billy explosively
you'll catch on to the Flying SPHINX
in minute. an then popularixe hel
AZ a lady's mount The finest mount
for girl ever put on the market
There isn't one yet. You can do it
You've got the nerve-an' the grit
I'll teach you to tend an drive her
VIII you comeT
| "Will q duck swimi cried Aimee
"Of course I'll comet"
"FinelEpartnerr cried Billy, fling
ing out big brown hand.
Aimee took 1t. and received shake
that bruised her fingers.
Take your perch. old chapi" sale
Billy, straddling the Sphinx. "On fol
StanhOel'
They whirred down the long slope
with the westering sun broad on theil
right above the fir-trees. 1t was 6
roughish ride on the carrier. There
was no pillion-seat; Billy was evi
IDENTIFY not accustomed to carry pas
sengers.
| Say" said Billy. over his shoulder
"I didn't catch your name, did II"
"Aimee-Snooks," replied the pas
senger on the spur of the moment, as
well as she could for the wind whis
Ting in her teeth.
"SnOOksl !"
Aimee laughed. 1t was very like
Scroope. and quiet as musical.
Near enoughv' she gasped "Bu,
old chaD' will do Js thar American o