Putnam patriot., 1911-12-08

sine ana then toward the man who was to enter there with her. And the driver of the gray machine saw it.
 We have done very little," he re- turned. May put you in your ear?"
 The chauffeur was gathering his tools, speechlessly outraged, and mak- ing ready to start Seated among the rugs and cushions, under the light of the luxurious ear. the girl deliberately drew off her glove and held out her small uncovered hand to the driver of the gray machine.
 Thank you, she said again, meet ing his eyes with her own, whose darkness contrasted oddly with the blonde curls clustered under her hood.
 You are not afraid to drive into the city alone" he asked.
 Alone! Why, my cousin-'
 Your cousin is going to stay with me"
 She flung back her head; amaze ment, question, relief struggled over her sensitive face, and finally melted into irrepressible mirth under the fine amusement of his regard.
 You are cleyer-and kind, to do that! No, I am not afraid
 He closed the door.
 Take your mistress home" he bade the chauffeur. Crank for him. Ru- pert"
 Why, why-e stammered the limou- sine's other passenger, turning as the motor started.
 No one needed him.
 "By-by, don't break any records" ," Rupert called after the chauffeur. Hold yourself in, do. If you shed any more tires, telegraph for me, and if Pm within days run I'll come put them on for you and save you time"
 Silence closed in again, as the red tail light vanished around a bend. The gray cars driver nodded curtly to the stupefed youth in the middle of the road.
 Unless you want to stay here all night, you'd better get in the ma chine," he suggested. My names Lestrange-I suppose yours is Ffreneh ?'
 Dick French. But, see here, you mean well, but I'm going with my cousin. I'd like a drive with you, but I'm busy"
 You're not fit to go with your cousin"
 Not"
 Fit" completed Lestrange def nitely. Can you hang on somewhere Rupert?"
 q can," Rupert assured, with an in- fection of his own. Get your friend aboard"
 Lestrange was already in his seat, waiting.
 whats that for?" asked the dazed guest. as. on taking his place. strap was slipped around his waist secur- ing him to the seat.
 "So vou won't fall out" soothed the erinning Rupert. You ain't well, you know Not that I'd care if you did, but somebody might blame Darling.
 The ear leaped forward, gathering sneed to an extent that was reveia- tion in motoring to Ffreneh. The keen air. the giddy rush through the dork were a sobering tonic. After while he spoke to the man beside hiln' nervously embarrassed by sltuation he was beginning to appreciate
 This is a racing car
 Tt was"
 Isn't it now?
 of I were going to race it day after tomorrow. I wouldn't be risking IL over country road tonight A rae inc machine is petted like race hofss until it is wanted.
 And then?"
 rT+ takes it's chances. If you are con ,aoted with the Trenches who manu- ,aeture the Mercury car, you shoulu' Enow something of automobile racihs ,.onrself noticed your limousine was of that make" T ayes that is my uncle's company T. ,.s aoa race once at Coney Island. 4 car turned over and killed its oIlsel and made nasty muss. l-i oiuh fancy it.. a4o.o efving .ha oar swerying lurch which was .- .i.' ,nstantlv corrected-with a secohu nS ,.Srcb@bv it's pilot. The effect was ,n+ ,-l Nt- trananilizing; the shock swept the ,os. nos confusion from Ffreneh's praih; 'ass where are you taking me he Y sWbe-e do you want to goy "ns ra se+ YOU Cown at the next sliiase 1,aht .oms seI s to: you can stay there to-nlghs at,i or o, you can get trolley to the .,d el..; oi The question remained unansWeseu. coraraI times French glanced ralns SvF s'fsdentIy. at his companions eisal, a,n srm profle, and looked away a without speaking sir today,
 aI vent out to get my cousin to.aas' si,s
 nv host gave me couple of hisnr M haus sau he volunteered al lass Sas' San't know what you thought-, . 0OI. Lestrange twisted his car aF0uha . belated farm wagon