Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-03

Isle Is not good TOT your racing.
Some people are naturally unluckly
Influences. perhaps"
Stanton shook his head, unbeguiled
by the pleasantly.
Il understand what Floyd believes,
but it Is impossible. absurd. Besides,
it is to her interest for me to win; the
Mercury uses her fathers tires"
yes" agreed Jessfca impersonally.
When he left her. In the family
lighted hall before the door OF her
apartment, she drew OF her glove with
swift movement.
"My father used to say that one only
offered covered Ito an enemy,
she said half playful, half serious.
Good night
There was tinkling crash, before
her wide silver bracelet, shaken loose
by her rapid gesture OF the previous
moment.
MAY l put it on?" he asked.
But she held out her hand for the
trinket; in the dim light he could have
imagined that she had become sudden
ly agitated and hurried.
mo, it is too heavy she declined.
Good night. have enjoyed this even
ing very much.
In his own hotel apartment. when
he drew off his gloves, Stanton was
puzzled to find his right fingers slight
ly stained with crimson. Slowly mem
DRY brought back the fact, unnoticed
at the time, that Jessica's bracelet
had been warn and damp to the touch
when he picked itup. It had cut her
arm, then in falling, he deduced. And
she had not spoken of the hurt or
cried out! Stanton laughed in approx
ing admiration, she had her brothers
pluck. He hated whining people.
Only he wished that her eyes were
not so exactly like Floyds; it con-
fused him.
CHAPTER VIII.
Floyd returned Stanton's call after
a fashion of his own, some days later.
There Is a gentleman down stairs
to see you, SIR the bell boy brought
information to the latter, one after.
noon HE won't come up because he.
says he can't leave his automobile, but
he'd be glad If you'd come down, sir"
Stanton looked at the card preser ID
and rose with alacrity
His mechanician was In the hall,
gazing across the wide windows at
low-swung, long-bonneted, dullgray
motor car that stood by the curb
stone; car stripped as bare of every
superfluous belonging as ia pugilist en-
tering the ring. At the hiss OF the
descending elevator he turned to meet
Stanton with his smile ofsun-shot cor
diality.
Il was afraid to let your machine
out of my sight, he exclaimed. "She
is going on to Indiana, tonight, and
the chief wanted you to see her first.
There wasn't time to get you out to
the factory, after fixing her steering
business the way you wanted, SO they
sent her down for you to look over.
The chief sent word for you to try her
out anywhere you liked and he would
pay the cost If you got in trouble, but
to get her shipped west tonight unless
she had to 60 back to the factory, for
there were rumors of strike among
the train men and we might not be
able to get her through in time for
the race"
who drove her down here?" Stan
ton -emanded, casting a jealous glance
out the window, but accepting the
facts mere amiably than could have
been expected.
.The chief. until he left me at the
avenue corner, just now. He said
never mind"
"Oh. go ahead"
well he said he had Eeen racing
driver himself and knew how you
would feel about having your car
yanked thirty miles across country
roads by another driver; and, er-that
he guessed that he was the only man
in the shops who'd care to tell you he
had done it,
I'll get scme driving things sug-
gested Stanton, and went back to the
evelator.
When he joined Floyd beside the big
car, he stood for moment busted
We. tie clasp of his gauntlet, before
attempting to start.
Miss Floyd told you of my call the
other day." he queried.
Eyes, OF course. | was sorry to be
away;;-I had never thought Of your
hunting me W.
You did not object to my taking her
out? There was no way of asking
YOU"
This from the self willed Stanton.
Floyd's eyes glinted with an apprecia-
ton at. once humorous and touched.
Object? Why? You could take
care of her. he countered.
Fix the spark babe Stanton, and
went front to crank his motor.
We'll not get half block without
drawing every mounted policeman for
ten miles, Floyd called, above the
rear of the exhausts I'VE ought to
have made ready by putting on few
dozen mufflers'
What time must she be shipped ?"
We must have her at the Mercury
office by six o'clock unless you say
she has to go back to the factory.
st is after four, now. No time to
try the Lcng Island course, and there
is motor cycle race on the Beach
track. Get Into your seat; we'll take
Pelham Parkway"
Pelham Parkway! Why"
Have you anything better to pro-
pOse?"
Its first offense.' Floyd resigned
himself. They can't do worse than
fine you''
Stapfon shruooed his chOulderS and