Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-09-21
Struggling her shoulders with airy
amusement and scorn.

Struggling her shoulders with airy
amusement and scOrn.
Stanton surveyed the scene, the
darkness hiding; his expression.
''The Mercury is marking time Win
substitute, driver the Duplex 10 on
with a choked feed-pipe, and the stern
went through the fence" he summed GO
up. 1.-THE others are driving TO win
by endurance, playing for accidents 70
the faster cars. It is a dull period,
just now. Yet every car there IS going
fast enough to face destruction II any
thing goes wrong"
She turned to him again, and ne
knew her gaze swept him interroga-
lively, searchingly But his close-ht-
ting linen costume offered no means
Of identification, since he purposely
kept from the light the silver letters
running across his jersey.
my father is president OF q TIRE
company" she idly remarked. lis
tires are being used on some OF the
cars, the Mercury for one, beieVe'
and he wanted to watch their testing
under use. So after dinner engage
ment we could not escape, we motored
down her from the city. You see
have not viewed much OF the race. !
admit this does not look very perllous y,
and l am bit disappointed.
again her short crystal laugh, y snaii
hope better things. Of the famous
Stanton: want to admire him very
much. But am OBTAINING you, ana
you were leaving! Every thanks 1or
your patience"
Hardly leaving, since the twenty.
four hour race is not six hours old"
he corrected briefly. II am glad to
have been Of any use to you.
She returned his salute; than, upon
the cool impulse of one accustomed 10
doing as she chose, put her question
directly
All am Miss Carlisle; would
like to know who has been good enough
to aid me in my ignorance"
.My name is Stanton" he complied,
and went on.
From the shelter of the obscurity ne
looked back She had taken step
forward into the light and her ve1l
had slipped aside as she gazed after
him with an expression OF acute ana
eager interest. She could not have
been older than twenty-four or five,
with a finely cut, beautiful face
framed in waves of fair hair.
Floyd was sitting on camp-stool
outside the tent, chatting with
group of men, when Stanton re-
turned The rest had brought back
the mechanician's color and ANNA
ton: In fact, he looked ridiculously
young and irresponsible. But ne
sprang up readily at the drivers nod.
"Time?" he asked, his gray eyes like
burning steel.
eyes" Stanton confirmed. And TO
the nearest man: Bring in the car"
There was an obedient commotion.
Several men ran to flag the other
driver; Floyd caught up goggles and
cap, and knelt to tighten Logging
strap. AS Stanton made his own few
preparations, Mr.. Green hustled up to
him.
"We're leading he reminded super.
fluously. There isn't, really, any
need for extra fast work, Stanton.
Stanton snapped q buckle, saying
nothing
I telephoned to the Office and told
Rupert he needn't come. I told him
that YOU had new man."
"Well!"
Gle said, poor NUT
The driver Strengthened to his full
height, his firm dark face locking to
bronze infexibihty.
+ "You had better report his sympa.
thy to Floyd, whom it's meant for he
advised hardly. I'm not interested
If the company doesn't like the way
drive, let them get some one in my
place; but while do drive the car,
drive, and not Rupert or Floyd, or
any one else. I'll neither take risks
nor shirk them to order"
The assistant manager choked
speechless. He had no way of knowing
why Stanton flashed sullen glance
toward the row of automobiles before
the grandstand, or who was meant by
that "any one else" Meanwhile, he
was intractable, he was insubordinate
and he was obstinate-but he was
Stanton.
The Mercury rolled in, the two men
climbed from their seats, and there
was momentary delay for tank fl.
ling. Stanton took his place, expert
mentally speeding and retarding his
motor while he waited for the work.
men to finish.
stop a minute while I fix the car.
buretor," requested Floyd, from beside
the machine. 'It's colder late at night
like this. Wait, you've dropped your
glove"
Stanton siIenced the engine. Some
thing in the fresh voice, the boyish
grace OF the slight figure, the ready
courtesy Of the act, stirred him with q
strange sensation and pricking shame
at his own brutality. Poor NUT" q
whisper repeated to his inner ear
While Floyd offered the gauntlet. the
other dropped hand upon his
shoulder.
care you riding with me because you
want the money badly enough tc
chance anything" Stanton demanded
|harshly, cor because you are willing tc
trust my driving?"
Taken by surprise, open astonish
ment crossed the younger mans face
but his eyes did not finch from the
ones behind the goggles.
II think you're the best driver or
the track came the steady answer
mn --~vR