Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-09-21

tional second too late. and his closest
rival shot past him. roaring down the
white path. 1t was too much: Floyd
and Miss Carlisle sank out Of memory
together, ms Stanton reached for
throttle and spark. The Mercury
snarled and leaped like startled cat.
The dull period was over.
The Mercury car was slightly the
faster, but the Duplex held the inside
line, and the difference between the
drivers was not In skill SO much as In
daredeviltry. Slower machines kept
conservatively out OF the way as, the
dangerous rivals fought out their
speed battle. Three times Stanton
hunted the Duplex around the track,
gaining on each lap, until the last cir
cult was made with the cars side by
side, flaming team. The spectators,
scanty at this hour before dawn, rose
applauding and cheering, as the two
passed again, still clinging together.
But gradually 1t became evident
that Stanton, who held the outside, was
steadily crowding the Duplex toward
the paddock fence. Nor could the Du-
pick defend itself from the Vancouver
which must ultimately force it to fall
behind at one of the turns or accept
destruction by collision. The machines
were so close that swerve on the
part of either, the blowout of tire or
q catch in the ruts. cut in the track at
certain points, meant ungentle death.
Mercilessly, gradually, Stanton pressed
his perilous advantage. And at the
crucial moment he heard low. ex-.
ultant laugh.
"Cut him closer!" urged his me-
chanician's eager, excited accents at
his ear. well get him in this turn
he's weakenin'-Cu him closet"
The comrade triumph came to Stan
ton as an unaccustomed cordial. They
were passing the grand stand. Just
ahead lay the worst curve.
It was partly reputation which won.
II the Duplex had held firm, the Mer-
curry must in self-preservation have
yielded room But the driver knew
Stanton, guessed him capable Of
wrecking both by obstinate persistence
lin attack, and dared not meet the
tissue. There came the gnnlike reports
of shut-off motor, the Duplex slack
ened its furious pace, and Stanton
hurtled past him on the turn itself,
lurching across the ruts, and led the
way down the track.
The witnesses in stands and pad
dock went frantic. Floyd pumped oil.
Stanton snatched glance at the
miniature watch strapped on his wrist,
over his glove, and slightly reduced
speed. The Vancouver had been sue
cessful, but the driver knew that it
might have called down upon him the
judges just censure and have sent MIN
from the track, disqualified.
The number of laps steadily grew on
the bulletin register. A faint, dull
light overspread the sky, the forerun-
ner of the early summer dawn. At
four O'Clock the Mercury Unexpectedly
blew out tire, realing across to the
fence line from the shock and the jar
of sharply applied brakes. Stanton
said something, and sent his car limp,
ing cautiously around to the camp
where it's repairers stood ready.
Floyd slid out OF his hard, narrow
seat rather stiffly. The cold grayness
Istreaks of grimy dust and oil wherever
the masks had failed to protect the
Twas bright enough now, to- show the
mems faces, and the effects Of fatigue
and strain of watching Stanton
looked for the Inevitable pitcher OF
water, but found himself confronted
Instead with grinning, admiringly
awed messenger boy who held out a
cluster of heavy purple flowers.
"What?" marveled the disguised
driver. What idiotic trick"
"For Mr.. Stanton, sir" deferentially
insisted the boy; who would have adj
dressed the president as "bo," and
gibed at the car.
Stanton caught the blossoms rough
| ly, anticipating practical joke from
some fun-loving fellow-competitor, and
saw a white card dangling by bit
OF ribbon.
THANK you,' he read in careless
penciling. Il have no laurel wreaths
here, so send the victor Of the hour my
corsage bouquet"
She had had the imprudence, or the
cool disregard of comment. to use one
! of her own cards. Valerie Anterior
Carlisle, the name was engraved across
the heavy pasteboard.
She had thought that wild duel with
the Duplex WAS Ill cANlUlIiOA 6lVOA III
her, that at her wanton whim he had
ieopardized four lives, one his own
With strong exclamation of con
tempt Stanton moved to fling the flow,
ers aside to the path before the Mer
cury's wheels, then checked himself
remembering appearances. The or
chids curled Imply around his warm
fingers; suddenly the magnificent ar
rogance Of this girl struck him with
angry humor, and he laughed shortly
Throw them In the tent, Blake
he requested, tossing the bouquet tc
lone Of the men. They'll wither fast
enough
! The new tire was on. AS Stanton
turned to his machine, after tearing the
card to Unreliable fragments, he saw
Floyd watching him with curious in
ltentness.
| A raw, wet mist had commenced tc
troll in from the nearby ocean. The
promise of dawn was recalled, a .dul
obscurity closed over the motordrome
leaving even the search-lighted patti
dim. The cars rushed on steadily.
| The night had been singularly free
from accidents. Only one machine had