Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-09-12
CHAPTER Ix-Concluded.)

ambulance came up and a surgeon
precipitated himself toward Le-
strange.
Stand back the surgeon COM
manded generally. "Are you trying to
smother him? Stand back"
But it was he who halted before a
gesture from Lestrange, who leaned
on Dick and comrade from the camp.
GO over there, to Rupert"
'You first"
mo"
There was nothing to do except
yield. Struggling his shoulders, the
surgeon paused the necessary moment.
A moment only; there was scatter
ing of the hushed workers, metallic
crash.
From the space the car had covered
a small figure uncoiled, lizardlike, and
staggered, unsteadily erect.
Where's Darling Lestrange?" was
hurled yiciously across the silence.
Gee, you're a slow bunch of work
ers! Where's Lestrange?"
The tumult that broke loose swept
all to confusion. And after all it was
Lestrange who was put in the sur
geon's care, while Rupert rode back to
the camp on the drivers seat of the
ambulance.
Tell Emily I'll come over to her
as soon as I'm fit to look at was the
message Lestrange gave Dick. And
when you go back to the factory, have
your steering-knuckles strengthened
Dick exceeded his commission by
the speech entire: re-
peating the first part to Emily with all
affectionate solicitude, and flinging the
second cuttingly at his uncle and
Bailey.
"The doctors say he ought to be in
bed, but he won't CO." he concluded.
mo, you can't see him until they get
through patching him up at the hospl-
tai tent; they put every one out except
Rupert. He hasn't a scratch, after.
having ninety Mercury on top OF
him. You're to come over to our
camp, Emily, and wait for Lestrange.
I suppose everybody had better come
It was curious and an eleVatlng
thing to see Dlckie assume command
of his family, but no one demurred.
An official, recognizing in him LIE
strange's manager, cleared way for
the party through the noisy press OF
departing people and automobiles. The
very track was blocked by a crowd too
great for control.
The sunset had long faded, night had
settled over the motordrome and the
electric lamps had been lit In the tents,
before there came stir and murmur
in the Mercury camp.
Don't skid, the grounds wet" eau
toned a voice outside the door.
STEADY"
Emily started up, Dick sprang to
open the canvas, and Lestrange crossed
the threshold Lestrange, colorless. his
right arm in a sling, his left wound
with linen from wrist to elbow, and
bearing heavy purple bruise above
his temple, but with the brightness OF
victory flashing above all WEAKNESS
like a dancing fame.
Sweetheart" he laughed, as Emily
ran to meet him, needless OF all things
except that he stood within touch once
more. "My dear, told them not to
frishten you. Why, Emily
For as he put his one available arm
about her, she hid her wet eyes on his
shoulder.
81 am so happy" she explained
ut is only that"
"You should not have been here at
all, my dear. But 1t its good to see
you. Who brought you Bailey
catching sight OF the man beside Dick.
"Good, wanted some one to help me;
Rupert and l have got to find hotel
and we're not very active
Emily would have slipped away from
the clasp, scarlet with returning recol-
lection, but Lestrange detained her
to meet his shining eyes.
1.-The race is over he reminded. for
her ears alone I'm going to keep you,
If you'll stay"
He turned to take limping step, Of
fering his hand cordially to the
speechless Bailey. and faced for the
first time the other man present.
II think said Ethan French, that
there need be no question of hotels.
We have not understood each other,
but you have the right to French
woods hospitality. If you can travel,
we will go there
\ "No." answered David Ffrench, as
quietly. Never. You owe me moth
Ing, SIT. IL Lave WOlhCu III JOui AeS
tory, / took the workman's wages for
It: if have won honors for your car,
1 also won the prize-money given to
the driver. I never meant SO to estab-
lish any claim upon Ffrenchwood or.
you. | believe we stand even. Dick
has taken my place, happily; Emily
and will go on our own road.
They looked at each other, the like
ness between them most apparent, in
the similar determination Of mood
which wiped laughter and warmth from
the younger mans face. However
coldly phrased and dictatorially spoken
1t was an apology which Mr.. Ffrench
had offered and which had been de-
clined. But-he had watched Lestrange
all day; he did not lift the gauntlet.
"You are perfectly free" he con-
coded, (which gives you the opportun-
ity OF being generous"
His son moved, flushing through his
pallor.
; II wish you would not put it that
way, SIR" he objected.
There is no other way. I have
been wrong and I have no control
over you: will you come home 2"