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

+ CHAPTER vIu.-Continued
A telegraph messenger boy had come
up to Dick.
Richard Ffrench - he verified.
"Sign, please" ,.sar
The message was from New York.
All coming down." Dick read.
Limousine making delay. Wire me
st. Royal of race. Bailey"
Far from pleased, young Ffrench
hurriedly wrote the desired answer and
gave it to the boy to be sent. But
he thrust the yellow envelope into his
pocket before turning to the tent
where Lestrange was drinking cheap
black coffee while an impatient young
surgeon lowered near.
The hours rest was characteristic.
ally spent Washed, bandaged and
refreshed, Lestrange dropped on cot
in the back OF the tent and pushed a
roll of motor garments beneath his
head for a pillow. There he intermit-
tently spoke to his companion of what
ever the moment suggested; listening
to every sound of the race and inter
spersing acute comment, starting up
whenever the voice of his own machine
limited that the driver was disobeying
Instructions or the shrill klaxon gave
warning of trouble. But through 1t
all Dick gathered much of the family
story.
"My mother was Californian" Lee
strange once said, coming back from
tour of inspection. "She was
twenty times as much alive as any
French that ever existed, I've been
told. fancy she passed that quality
on to me-you know she died when |
was born-for nearly drove the
family mad. They expected the worst
of me, and I gave the best worst had.
But, he turned to Dick the clear can
dor of his smile, ut was rather decent
worst, honestly believe. The most
outrageous thing ever did was to lead
a set Of seniors in hosting a COW into
the Deans library, one night, and so
get myself expelled from college"
"A cow" the other echoed.
"a fat COW, and it mooed,' he
stuffed the pillow into more COM
Portable position. ''Is that our car
running in? No, it's just passing. II
Frank doesn't wreck my machine, I'll
get this race. And then, the same week
my chum and roommate ran away with
Doraflora girl of some variety show
and married her. was romatic my
self at twenty-one, SO helped him
through with it. He was wealthy and
she was pretty; it seemed to fit. 4 be-
lieve they've stayed married ever
since, by the way. But somehow the
reporters got affairs mixed and pub
lished me as the bridegroom. Have
you got a cigar? smoke about three
times year, and this is one OF them.
Yes, there was a fine scene when |
went home that night, Broadway
melodrama I lost my temper easier
then by the time my father and uncle
gave me time to speak, was too
angry to defend myself and set them
right. I supposed they would learn
the truth by the next day, anyhow.
And left home for good in dinner
coat and raglan, with something under
ten dollars in odd change. What's
that"
.That" was the harsh alarm of the
official klaxon, coupled with a cry of
countless voices. The ambulance gong
CIaukcu dS ACoIA dA6O sprung W AAAo
feet and reached the door.
(Which carr" he called.
Rupert answered first:
mot ours. Number Fights burning
up after smash on the far turn"
"Jack's car" identified Lestrange,
and stood for an instant. GO flag
Frank: I'll take the machine again my
self. It's one o'clock, and I've got to
win this race s
Several men ran across to the track
in compliance. Lestrange turned to
make ready, but paused beside the
awed Dick to look over the infield to-
ward the flaming blotch against the
dark sky.
"He was in to change a tire ten
minutes ago. observed Rupert. beside
them. "'Tell Lestrange I'm dom time
catchin' him. he yelled to me. Here's
hoping his broncho machine pitched
him clear from the fireworks
When the Mercury car swung in,
few moments later, Lestrange fingered
for last word to Dick.
"I'm engaged to Emily" he said
erayely. 81 don't know what she will
hear of me; if anything happens, I've
told YOU the truth I'm old enough TO
see It now. And tried to square
things