The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-04-12

Adam. II may De lnal the air of the
Colorado foothills favors its growth
His possession of 1t called for no COM
ment from Aimee. Her mind was of
the same color.
1t did not enter into their heads for
moment that anybody could put a
dubious construction on their asso-
ciation with each other. Had such an
idea dawned, they might possibly have
turned and parted company ON the spot.
Aimee left Billy suddenly and ad-
dressed an inquiry to an elderly man
| who stood beside farmers cart. In
moment she rejoined him.
Mrs Summing, 2 Ivy cottage. let's
lodgings" announced Aimee trium-
| phantly. You don't mind lodgings.
do you? Better than hotel-more
| freedom"
Freedom for miner said Billy.
Lets try It'll"
Ivy cottage proved to be a pretty
little Jacobean building fronting on
green lane just outside Stanhoe. An
| apple-cheeked woman, who was pick
ing weeds out Of the path, announced
herself as Mrs. Summing, and Billy at
once stated his needs. Offering to pay
In advance.
"Why. yes. SIR" she said, smiling,
with a civil bob to Aimee. 1--WE a
nice sitting room and I'LL bedroom
Mrs. Dale, next door, has another.
II you can do with thatY Mrs. Dale
appeared. and confirmed the offer.
| Both Of them looked at the pair with
smiling interest and wonder.
"Greatl" said Billy. you take the
room here, old chap, and I'll take the
other. Wen share the parlor."
Aimee accompanied Mrs. Summing
indoors; the little parlor was clean
and cozy. the bedroom, upstairs at the
back. tiny but clean.
Aimee made her toilet, descended
to the parlor and ordered a meal.
Mrs. Summing acquiesced in every
thing.
Hes a wunnerful pleasant gentle
man, Mr.. Spencer" she remarked, and
then, hesitating and reddening. she
looked at Aimee. IL suppose, miss"
she said with much embarrassment,
'it's all rightT
Aimee stared.
'An right? How?" she said. "Ev-
erything's all right. Very much sol"
The woman's eyes betokened belief
and relief.
"Bless your pretty face, who'd think
anything else7" she said. you'll ex-
cuse my askin', miss. You see, Lady
Erythea is my landlord, and she owns
all Stanhoe."
Aimee felt galvanic shock.
"Whom did you say" she asked
dazedly.
Lady Erythea Lambe Of Jervaulx
abbey. the big place half mile south
the cross roads. She fare wunnerful
strict, she do. It's as much as my
tenancy's worth to have any goings-on
here. That's ALL"
The woman left the room. Aimee
stared round her blankly, then col
lapsed into a chair She flung her
arms across the table, buried her head
in them, and broke into paroxysms
Of impish laughter.
"Oh. my Christian aunti" she
sobbed. my Georgiel My Ale1an-
deri"
Her shoulders were still shaking
wildly when Billy came in.
"Say. what's wrongY' he exclaimed
In alarm. as Aimee raised a tear
stained face. ''Crying-eh7 No,
laughingi That's goodl That's the
cure for sentimenti But what's the
Joker
-Just something l thought Of, that's
ALL" said Aimee, wiping her eyes.
THAT'S all right" said Billy imper-
turbably. Guess / amt inQuisitive.
But folks mostly tell me their troubles
sooner or later"
II suppose they do" said Aimee. re-
garding him thoughtfully.
Mrs. Summing brought an abundant
meal; chiefly eggs and tea. Aimee
found 1t the merriest feast she had
ever sat down to. Finally, she ac-
cOmpanied Billy to Mrs. Dale's door,
and, returning. retired to her own
room. She was about to let down her
hair, but desisted, and instead sat on
the bed for some time, thinking. She
heard Mrs. Summing retire, and pres
emily silence reigned throughout the
house.
A curious sense of loneliness crept
over Aimee's spirit. She remained
sitting for nearly half an hour. Pres
emily she blew out the candle, and
leaned out of the open window. The
window of Billy's room at the other
end of the building was in darkness.
1t had not taken Billy long to retire.
Aimee stayed awhile ut the window.
She returned to the bed, and reflect
ed again. In that reverie vision