The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-05-19

on the front, sides and back of his car
in white figures two feet high. The first
morning he had the racer out for prac-
tice he was content to take things easy
around the thirty-mile course, which on
the day of the race had to be circled ten
times; but the second morning he lei
her out on rhe last round, with Hender-
son keeping time. 'Thirty-three min
utes," Jack announced as the cal
flashed past the grand stand on the fin
ish- That's going somer'
Some" agreed Morgan, "but mani
when she really goes!"
It was the day of the race. While
Inc heaven was still lighted only b. the
stars the roads leading to the course
were processioned by thousands OF
giare-eyed touring cars, and the New
York trains were adding tens of thou
sands to those who had spent the night
in houses, barns, tents and the open
fields along the way When the first
trace of dawn, faint, gray mistiness
in the east, came at half-past four, the
course, wonted thus early to be with
out soul save perhaps for a market
gardener or two jogging sleepily town
ward, was crowded like a great city
artery at the hour OF home-gOing
Five O'Clock found Morgan and the
nineteen other racing machines in q
waiting line before the grand stand. A
sense of solitariness crept upon Nor
gan. Each cars manufacturer stood
beside his machine talking to its driver
and giving him encouraging pats on the
back. and friends were coming up to
shake the drivers hand and wish him
victory, and here and there handker-
chiefs We're being waved from the
grand stand. Morgan gave a quick
h44r7 cory crl1 Of ~
plane of humanity, then returned his
eyes to their former straight-ahead
gaze; he had expected no friend, and
he had seen no friend.
we don't seem to be exactly the IA
vOrite, do we, Jack?" Morgan said, dry
~.
Il guess there amt many in this
bunch bettin' even money we'll win"
mo. about a million to one is the
odds" MOrgan's left hand came from
the wheel and gripped Jacks arm.
But We've got to win, anyhow" he
said fierceIy. Understand"
Wen win-if she only sticks togeth-
er," Jack assured him. grinliy; "for. oh,
Lord, she's got speed to give away
There was a stir among the group Of
officials at the head of the line of ma
chimes: half-past 5, the hour for start
ing. was but three minutes off. Clear
the course! rang out an order. 1t was
taken up by hundreds of voices and
moved down the track in a great billow
of sound. and the crowd which had
blackened the road parted, leaving be
tween a brown ribbon of oiled earth.
The next minute the engine of car No
1 began booming and splitting from
both sides Of its bonnet darts of blue
fame. The starters counted off the
seconds, and at Cor the car lunged
forward. A great cheer rose from the
grand stand, and kept pace with the
car as it whizzed between the lines OF
bordering thousands.
The first fifteen cars, cheer-followed
had gone flying at minute intervals to-
ward the flushing east, when Jack sud-
dcnly seized Morgan's arm. Some
body wants you" he said, and nodded
toward a box in the grand stand.
In the Eox, one in the lowest tier
Morgan saw a girl in long tan coat
She smiled, and. a gloved hand beck
oned to him. Instantly he was out OF
the csr and beneath the box. touching
his begoggled leathern skullcap that
vas tied beneath his chin
She leaned down over the railing till
her head was on level with his. in or
der that her voice might be heard above
the terrific fusillade No. IS had Just be-
gun. so you were not going to speak
to a friend?" she demanded.
"A friend ?" he said, dizzily. touch
ing his cap to her aunt and uncle in the
rear of the box. II didn't know YOU
were here. And 1 didn't know you
were my friend"
Not your friend ?" Her eyebrows
arched with surprise. Though 1 sup
pose 1 shouldn't be, after the way you
have treated me-"
1.-THE way I've treated you,'' gasped
Morgan, as No. Is roared away.
Yes" Her face became severe
Think of how you served me on the
telephone. l held the receiver till my
arm ached, calling to you, waiting for
you to say something more-but you'd
cut me off. And then you haven't come
near me for three months
He could only stammer and stare.
A dazzling smile drove the severity
from her face. But see how | have
forgiven you. I've stayed up all night
and come here Just to see you win.''
You want me to VIM" he cried.
YES" she said, and her face grew
very steady and she held out little
gloved hand. He showed his srirny
palm and shook his head. She leaned
further over ard the little hand slipped
into the palm. He gripped it tightly.
The hand withdrew. fell upon his
shoulder, and gave him a light push.
"You must go; your mechanic is get
ting frantic"
Morgan touched his cap and sprane
to his seat just as No. II shot across
the tape Jack" he said, between his
teeth, I'm bet a million to one we
winr'
AS No. IS rolled up 10 the tape the
grand stand burst into cheering and
clapping of hands No Is was easily
the favorite. 1t was made by famous
firm. and had won several smaller
races during the summer and had a
good showing in France in the Gordon
Bennett cup race. Its driver, Pearson,
was skillful and reckless; and though
he habitualIy disregarded the rights Of
other drivers. this affected him little
with the public, which sees only results