The San Francisco call., 1905-02-22
TO THE VICTOR BELONGS
THE SPOILS.
BY HUBERT MCLEAN JOHNSTON.
BY HUBERT McBEAN JOHNSTON.

wasn't a bit nervous at the hare
Drained pace.
TOO fast. Phyllis" questioned.
Just little" she replied.
l pulled the lever open another
notch. and we could actually feel the
machine take a fresh Jump forward.
Phyllis clutched my arm.
ON! she cried, with terrified lit
tie scream. Il meant to go slower"
Cant do it," 1 replied, grimly.
There's too much at stake on this
race"
Phyllis looked at me from the tail
of her eve.
If we have a spill we'll be half
Killed., she pouted.
I'D have demonstrated my good
ialth. anyhow" 1 retorted. You'd
know I'd done my best
The runabout hit a stone that lay
at the side of the road. and I'm GER
tain the front wheel travelled fifty feet
before 1t hit the dust again.
OH! gasped Phyllis again. DO
be careful, Jack, or we'll be killed.
The machine was already going it's
limit or l would have opened it some
more. 1 made the pretense of putting
on more speed. l was having my
revenge.
I'm being careful" 1 said as well
as l could for the wind. but I've
simply got to make it. Do you see Joe
behind us?''
Phyllis could not see him.
There are no auto tracks ahead"
observed; "if he's anywhere he must
be back of u.s."
l sized up the track ahead and turn
ed to look back. There was an auto
behind usi
Phyllis" l murmured reproach-
fully. you said you couldn't see any
That's not joe said Phyllis with
conviction.
How do you know" 1 asked. Its
yellow car. and his is the only vel
low touring car around here
Il don't care persisted Phyllis;
ITS not Joe Haddon, so there"
Well take no chances 1 said,
maliciously. 1T may be; you weren't
even able to see an auto when YOU
looked the first time'
DO you think I'm deliberately ly-
ing to help Joe?" asked Phyllis,
icily.
NO" 1 answered. "but the issue is
too important to trust to such poor
eyesight.'
You goose!" said Phyllis, irrever-
emily.
The puff-puff of the big machine
was close behind us now. and would
have given worlds to have looked
around and to see who was in 1t; but
the risk was too great. Another mile
and we would be at the hall. So long
as l kept the middle of the path the
big car could not pass us. 1 deter
mined to keep it.
Get over" shouted a hoarse voice
behind US. That's not fair play"
ALPS fair in war. and =" said IL
low and left the sentence unfinished.
Phyllis heard it. and I felt her small
gloved hand rest ever so lightly on
my arm.
go it," she urged.
AS we swung through the hall
gates and ran I'D the broad avenue
the touring car passed us. 1t con-
tained only Dawcy Grahami
l slowed down.
Phyllis I said, did you know
all the time it was Dawcy?''
Phyllis nodded.
And where's Joe?" I demanded.
Il don't know" replied "Phyllis.
II told him No last night"
And what made Dawcy follow us?"
I persisted, still unsatisfied.
Il thought it would add a little to
the excitement of the chase" said
Phyllis, nesting into the hollow of
my arm. ''if he were to borrow the
machine and come, too. Don't you
think it did %
But it didn't matter what I thought.
IF you hadn't been perfectly blind.
you'd have guessed it last night" said
she.
Copyright, 1905, by Herbert Nc,
Bean Johnston.)