Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1908-09-17

e strained voice why this-this awfu
! speed, prince?"
\ curious laugh responded. Are yo
really afraid?" he saked
In the glare of the motor lamps. Gus
sic met the reckless eyes smiling at her
with a swift answering excitement whicl
she did not attempt to analyze.
"Of course l am not afraid" she said
hardly knowing what she meant, "witt
you!"
There was pause, and then, "That is
what | hoped you would say he tot
her thickly.
AS the speed quickened again, Gussie
closed her eyes, not caring for the mo.
ment what happened or where they were
going. An irresponsible mood was upon
her. the echo of her companions.
Once before he had reused the spirit
OF romance and adventure dormant in her
for a few brief minutes, long enough to
make her forget his chauffeur's leather
coat.
The Prince del Pine had awakened an
other feeling.
Nhlle she sat struggling, yielding to it,
the man who had inspired it sat grasping
the steering wheel, every fiber of his mind
bent on reaching Washington before his
pursuers.
1t was the deciding race of his life |.
desperate trial of skill, with the pro-
fessional chauffeur and his 3OO-yard start
pltted against Souravieff's superior mo-
tor run by an amateur
The machine versus the mechanician
\ contest between matter, with its per-
tected possibilities, and the infinite re-
sources of mans mind guided by that
NTH sense that necessity lends.
At the start the odds seemed equal, but
with every minute the issue was more GER
tain.
At Cleveland Park the pursuing motor
was not two hundred yards behind.
As Sarto whirled past the Zoo station
Souravieff's lights glared at him across
twice that distance.
And as he turned into the comparative
dusk of the Adams Mills road they had
entirely disappeared.
At last, through her half conscious |
ness, Gussie felt that the fierce sweep |
Of the motor had dwindled to a mild |
gliding motion.
Opening her eyes, dupont Circle al
'eady?' she cried in astonishment, look
ng around. where's the other automo-
oile?'
Her companion shrugged his shoulders.
A mile and half out of town, l should
magine," he speculated easily, left be-
lind long ago. You see, we won the
ace"
His hat was off, and in the white
link of the electric lights the handsome
ace shone out positively brilliant with
riumph and daring.
Gusse looked up at him with genuine
dmiration. Success in every phase ap-
'ealed to her resistibly-had always
one so.
Il knew yoI would win that race -
he said. in a voice that trembled little
You naturally come out ahead !"
Then, startled by the CLINT in his eyes.
he dropped her own to the deft hands
the levers
For a moment neither spoke. Sarto be-
ng-to tell the truth-absorbed in his
wn situation, doubtful enough, in spite
f his momentary advantage.
Distanced as he had been, Souravieff
rould reach the Grafton sooner or later
nd Sarto must be there and gone before
e arrived. Every minute counted
hanging speeds, he pulled himself to-
ether determnedly at the sound of Gus
les voice.
Speaking of races she was saying
suggests chauffeurs Do YOU
now, | have another grievance against
nat man of yours| She raised her eve
rows in delicate, humorous protest.
What will you say when | tell you that. {
} cap his other misdemeanors, Sarto had Z
le audacity to fall in love with me?" 3
Tilting her shoulders, she glanced side
Use at the man beside her.
He was staring blankly ahead of him.
18th a fierce intensity that saw, instead
the long tree arcade through which q
ley were passing. its linden roof shinged v
18th stars, a French highway bounding (
vamp. woman sitting by the roadside. 2
I'D a dim, motionless figure watching her.
As he did not speak, Gussie went on,
ith a faint, half-mocking laugh, Fancy
y own chauffeur doing me the honor to d
'ofess his undying passion for me- I'm J
.ine such a thing ~ d
Imagine ~ calculated a queer hoarse t,
ice. "Mache. | can imagine nothing V
SO ~ :,
Gussie's cheeks flushed slowly. "The "
effrontery of his daring-'' =,
Daring - echoed the same unnatural "
nes. Daring to be human Cospetto. I"
hat could you expect! As we'll blame a
asant on the Campagne for catching o
g malaria - if
A loud, jangling laugh =,
Gussie reused herself with a determined !,
ort. You do not realize the impro- =
iety," she protested family; "a man ~
his class ~ III
She heard him grating his teeth
Yes. that is it. 1t is the livery of Of
ur victims that makes all the difference =
tn you. The chauffeur had no chance" =,
He was moOdily silent a moment and
IN, turning on her with swiftness that ~
de Gussie start, What of Roderigo he
PinoT he demanded harshly, search
: her face. What chance has he2"
Surely, never was there a stormier.
re fantastic wooing Gussie shivered so
n sheer excitement of the thing. her IN
obbing pulses keeping pace with his.
At last, moving her lips with difficulty, 81,
ont you know?" she managed to artic- 80
te. III
'Ah ~ calculated Sarto.