Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-10

around. Gay. blithe, triumphant, Floyd
accepted the general congratulations.
eyes, got Them" he laughed,
answering first one and then another.
mo, I'm not tired. I slept both ways
in the train. did have breakfast.
thanks, in Jamaica. I've got my racing
clothes on, Mr.. Green; dressed at
the hotel before coming here, Where
is Santon? Oh" as the group separ-
ated ito show the man standing beside
the Mercury car.
The men made way, smiling under
standingly, as the young mechanicfan
went straight to his driver.
Stanton" he began, with his eager
confidence.
Stanton looked full in his eyes, and
turned his back on him.
The sudden silence that hushed the
witnesses was more impressive than
any cutlery, the stiffness spoke. Floyd's
outstretched hand fell by his side and
he slowly paled, all the laughter wiped
from his face.
II am ready for work." he gravely
reported, after brief pause when
you want me, send for me, please"
very WE'LL" came the chilling reply.
It was an hour before the actual
start There was sufficient to be done
to keep every one occupied, especially
after the trucks loaded with tires
came to the camp Mr.. Green, still
purple with indignation, contrived to
retain Floyd with him and away from
Stanton.
There wouldn't be any racing from
here, If it wasn't for you" he declared,
once.
"Pm awfully bright" Floyd agreed.
but he did not smile.
The machines were preparing to so
to their stations for the start, Stan
ton was in his seat at the wheel, when
Floyd came over, and leaning against
the car, looked up into the drivers
face.
"What have DONE" lie asked
simply.
Both men were still unnlasked, their
privacy of speech was secured by the
uproar around them. Stanton looked
grimly back.
"Lied to me. You were not kept
away from New York by work with
Green, or any other work, for the last
two weeks"
A tinge of scarlet streaked FIoyd's
pallor, he bent his head.
eyes, l lied to you," he admitted.
Stanton's gauntleted hand closed on
his wheel.
"There was no need. Your time was
your own, Floyd: claimed no control
over you. don't know why you did IT,
to be rid of me for while, suppose,
but the reason doesn't matter. Last
night I thought a good many WHO
things about you, and your sister, but
this morning I've got my grip again.
No doubt you had all you could stand
| of me. I'm not precisely lovable and
| would have understood if you had
lust told me SO. But I will have no
friend can't trust all the way. Get
in-we will finish this race, and part,
Floyd raised his head and gave to
| the stern scrutiny his candid gray
eyes. ).
stanton. trust me all the way now,
he appealed. Can You do that? Can
you take my word that your friendship
| is the only thing in the world want
| If I deceived you, it was SO could
|be here to race with you today. ! will
tell you afterward, can't now"
"YOu mean
Floyd held out his hand.
GIVE got everything badly mixed
up, but it's clean to offer you, Stan
ton"
| AS swiftly impulsive as his condem
nation was Stanton's movement as he
lbent to give the clasp.
| Cali right" he said CURLY. Get In;
I ought to have given you a chance
| And as the other obeyed L didn't
mean to meet you as did an hour
ago. anyhow; it slipped me"
They're signaling" warned Mr..
Green, hurrying over. care you ready?
Both Of you?"
From his place beside Stanton,
Floyd turned a face OF incarnate sun
shine to the assistant manager, face
SO changed in it's color and glow and
warmth that all who saw drew breath
in sheer wonder.
| We're ready" his lifting tones as
sured. Don't worry"
Stanton laughed with him, fastening
on the mask, and sent the Mercury
rolling forward. The world was rlgn'
cnce more, and life sane.
| ! III was an 6xQulSiL0 HlOI II AAu
/ less, cool, with happy little effects OF
snowy cloud against a cobalt-blue sky
The October air was summer-dis
titled cordial. an ethereal intoxicant'
The racers had no time to notice ".
| vet the effect was there The speed
made on the first laps was record
breaking.
The brown or gray streak OF. road
ahead, the deadly turns, the treacher-
GUS smooth hills down which it was SO
easy to make speed and still more easy
to meet disaster - for the first
hour Stanton had no attention
4 to spare from these. More
over. the spectators were massed
over the course in many places. recoil
ling just enough to leave lane for
each cars passage, and so imposing an
other anxiety upon the drivers who
knew the swerve of a foot must bring
death to some one.
| Gar behind" Floyd's clear accents
gave the familiar cautions, from time
/ to time. Hes tryin' to get us before
the turn. The Atalanta's ahead IN the
(dust."