The Dolores star., 1923-06-01
CHAPTER IlI-Contirued


Say! Let me ind you one! I've
q braln-waye!"
what do you mean?"
go shares with me-"
"SharesT echoed Aimee. She was
conscious Of curious little thrill.
"Shsre whatY'
"See here" said Billy, eyeIng her
keeRly. when we were doing fifty
hve on the Sphinx, you never wilted-
never turned a hair! ~
"Of course no. 1t was gorgeous"
He came nearer. Intensely earnest
Know anything about motor en-
gines?" he said quickly.
I've often taken down the old bus
at home, on q wet day, and reas-
sembled It."
where was thaty'
AT the place where had a job,
said Aimee.
Great" he cried. You're the thing
I've been looking for all these months.
Now. listen to the brain-wave. I'm
over here 20 sell the Sphinx. There's
big deal on in London. But what
wants a quiet spot where I can
develop some Of the gadgets with no
crooks around to steal EN-. Get me?"
Yes. go on" said Aimee, catching
his enthusiasm.
''I'm heading now for little town
called Stanhoe, thirty miles south of
here. Sranhoe's quiet as the tomb.
I've struck it before. There's an old
mill blieye I can get hold Of, and
fit up as a garage and workshop"
Yes see" said Aimee eagerly.
Come on into it with me-come TO
Stanhoe !" said Billy explosively.
you'll catch on to the Flying Sphinx
IN minute, an then popularize her
as lady'S mount! The finest mount
for a girl ever put on the market
There isn't one get. You can do it!
You've got the nerve-an' the grit!
I'll teach you to tend an drive her.
VIII you Gomez
"Wil duck SWIM" cried Aimee.
"Of course I'll GOMEZ"
Fine partner :" cried Billy, fling
Ing out big brown hand.
Aimee took it, and received shake
that bruised her fingers.
Take your perch, old chap!" said
Billy, straddllng the Sphinx. "OT for
StanhOel"
They whIrred down the long slope
with the westering sun broad on their
right above the fr-trees. 1t was a
roughlsh ride on the carrier. There
was no pillion-seat; Billy was evil
IDENTIFY not accustomed to carry pas
sengers.
Say" said Billy, over his shoulder.
81 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 whls-
tling in her teeth.
"SnOOks :"
Aimee laughed. 1t was very like
scrOope, and quiet as musical.
Near enough" she gasped. But
'o!d chap will do, Is that American?"
American? Gee. no! It's the only
English | know. Let it 20 at that
Amy is too feminine for partnership.
And now we'll let her out. This" said
Billy ioyeusIy, as he opened the
throttle wide, SIS what the doctor
ordered"
The Flying Sphinx, freIghted with
the partners. rOared down the hill
and devoured the miles to Stanhoe.
On the outskirts Of the little mar
ket town of Stanhoe was a cyclists
rest-house. Here the two travellers
IaI I,I
lawn. Billy locked the amazing
motorcycle in shed, by the proprie-
tors leave, and the pair walked into
the town on foot
Two more utterly insOuciant and
care free young people never entered
an English village on an April day,
No jot of doubt, of fear, or hesitation
assailed them. Billy, intensely mas.
culine though he was, appeared to
be possessed Of virgin mind. Such
a thing, though uncommon, Is by nc
means noneyistent among the sons OF
Adam. 1t may be that the air of the
Colorado foothills favors its growth
His possession of 1t called for no com
nient from Aimee. Her mind was of
the same color.
1t did not enter into their heads for
moment that anybody could nut a
dubious construction on their asso.
citation with each other Had such an
idea dawned, they might possibly have
turned and parted company on the snot
Aimee left Billy suddenly and ad.
dressed an inquiry to nm elderly man
who stood beside farmers cart In
moment sba rejoined him.