The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-06-07

fiaice-inlghty different. But tbot,s
no excuse. I wish I'd broken nv nao,.
Derore l did such fool thing Ana
mere we are in the soup. / don't mo,.
ter. And you don't matter either
parson. All that matters is Miss
Scroope. Get meY'
Come here" said Alexander
de took Billy by the arm. led him
10 the window, and turned him SO that
tne sun shone full on his face. Mr..
Lambe looked at Billy for some mo-
ments In silence, with a peculiar in
tentness.
MT. Spencer" said Alexander. re-
Teasing him, Il will see you presently.
1 snail have something to say to Won.
Tor the moment, leave me with my
cousin. And-go quicklyl"
Billy nodded. He turned to Aimee
with smile.
Don't you worry" he said quietly.
the PADRES white"
Billy disappeared with extreme sud
oehness through the window. Alexan-
DER came slowly up to Aimee.
ihat young man." he said, "has the
neart Of a child. 1t is a good thing
to have. And rare, at his age. That
does not alter the fact that your stu
alton Is dangerous, and even terrible.
MY decision is final," he said earnestly
inere is but one thing to do. The
plain, honest course. Aunt Erythea
must be told Immediately. Then Won
will be safe"
And l repeat it's impossible" re-
turned Aimee quickly. Cant you see?
You understand. And George under.
stands. But there is one who will
never understand. My father. He
doesn't belong to our time. He'll con
slider only one thing-that his daugh.
Ter mas been disgraced before all the
county. Her name a by-word anon:
the rabble. That's how he'll take IT
1t VIII simply be Dads finish"
Aimee shifted miserably.
Il never thought about 1t. But
George told me what it would mean
to my father. And she's right. You
don't know Dad"
Alexander had turned rather white
lie walked to the door and back, in
some agitation.
1t is some years since ] have seen
your father. But ! knew him very
well. And l believe you are right.
This would be a heavy blow to him.
Butt has got to be faced"
"And 1 will not let Dad face it p
Inn hAtl
myself. But I'm not going to have
him made miserable-for all the par
sons In the countryl"
You have no choice. You do not
suppose for moment this thing can
be concealed and overcomei"
Aimee turned to him with supreme
confidence.
"Of course I do. Billy will see IT
through |" she said triumphantly.
Alexander gasped.
Il cannot countenance deceit. The
whole thing is known to me-my po-
sition is impossible" he said. 81
should be abetting lie"
there's no need for you % do any
thing at all. Nobody wanted you to
butt In, Alexander. The secret is
mine. NOT yours. Go to Aunt Erythea
II you musti" said Aimee bitterly.
"Oh. I'm not complaining-I can see
that you must. Only you'll do 1t with.
out my sanction. Go to her, and tell
her all you know about me-"
Alexander groaned. For awhile he
was silent. The perspiration stood
out on his forehead. The anguish in
his face was SO plain that even Aimee
felt compunction.
Alexander sighed aloud.
Il shall keep silence" he said. ut
IL impossible for me to betray wom-
ans secret without her consent-or to
utter one word that may affect her
reputation. But what will come Of
IT."
"Ah!" said Aimee eagerly, "you
need know nothing at all. Whatever
happens, I'll keep you out Of It."
"On the contrary! l implore you,
whateyer difficulty arises to come to