Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-09-07

Il. Z, 1911
! fore, uncle and niece were left oppo-
site each other, the crumpled news
paper where Lestranges name showed
in heavy type still lying on the fioor
between them.
The effect OF Bailey's final sentence
had been to leave Emily dizzied by ap-
prehension. But when Mr.. Ffrench
rose and passed out, she aroused 10
look up at him eagerly.
Uncle" she faltered.
Disregarding or unseeing her out
stretched hand, he went on and LETT
her there alone. And then Emily
dared rescue the newspaper.
"A substitute" she whispered. "a
substitute" and laid her wet cheek
against the pictured driver.
No one lunched at the Ffrench
home that day, except the servants.
Near three o'clock In the afternoon Mr..
French came back to the pavilion
where Emily still sat-
GO change your gown" he com
manded in his usual tone. Eve will
start now. have sent for Bailey and
ordered Anderson to bring the auto
mobile
Start she wondered, bewild Tered.
He met her gaze with stately re-
pellence of comment.
For the Beach. / understand this
race lasts twenty-four hours. Have
YOU any objection
Objection to being near David!
Emily sprang to her feet.
CHAPTER VIII.
Six o'clock was the hour set for the
start Of the Beach race. And 1t was
Just seventeen minutes past Ave when
Dick French, hanging In a frenzy OF
anxiety over the paddock fence circl-
ing the inside of the mile oval, uttered
something resembling a howl and
rushed to the gate to signal his re-
creant driver. From the opposite side
OF the tract Lestrange waved gay re-
turn, making his way through the Of
ficials and friends who pressed around
him to shake hands or slap his should
er caressingly, jesting and questioning
calling directions and advice. A brass
band played noisily in the grand-stand,
where the crowd heaved and surged;
the racing machines were roaring in
their camps.
whats the matter? Where were
your" cried Dick, when at last LIE.
strange crossed the course to the
central field. "The cars are going out
now for the preliminary run. Rupert's
nearly crazy, snarling at everybody,
no
ready to start instead of YOU"
t"Well, he can get unready," smiled
Lestrange. Keep cool, French; I've
got half an hour and I could start
now. I'm ready"
He was ready; clad in the close-fit-
ting khaki costume whose immaculate
daintiness gave no hint of the GER
tainty that before the first six hours
ended it would be wreck of yellow
dust and oil. AS he paused in running
an appraising glance down the street
like row of tents, the white-clothed
driver Of spotless white car shot out
on his way to the track, but halted OPP
posite the latest arrival to stretch
down cordial hand.
II hoped a trolIy-car had bitten
you,' he shouted. 'The rest of us would
have more show If you got lost on the
way, Darling"
The boyish driver at the next tent
looked up as they passed, and came
over grinning to give his clasp.
Get move on; what you been dom
all day, dear child? They've been
ginin' your manager sal volatile to
hold him still" He nodded at the
agitated Dick in ironic commisera-
ton
go get out your car, Darling; I
want to beat you" chaffed the next in
line.
"'Strike up the band, here comes a
driver" sang another, with an en-
trancing French accent.
Laughing, retorting, shaking hands
with each comrade rival, Lestrange
went down the row to his own tent.
At his approach swarm Of mechanics
from the factory stood back from the
long, low, gray car, the driver who was
to relieve him during the night and day
ordeal slipped down from the seat and
unmasked.
Hes here" announced Dick super
fluously. "RUpert-where's Rupert ?
bOu Icll LAC hS oSAAS AAS"' ~
strange"
But Rupert was already emerging
from the tent with Lestrang's gauntlets
and cap, his expression a study In the
sardonic
at hurts me fierce to think how you
must have hurried" he observed. did
you walk both ways, or only all three
I'm no Eve, but I'd give snake an
apple to know where you've been all
day."
"Would you?" querred Lestrange pro
vokingly, clasping the goggles before
his eyes. "Well, I've spent the last
two hours on the Coney Island beach,
about three squares from here. watch
ing the Riddles play in the sand.
didn't feel like driving just then, It
was mighty soothing, too"
Rupert stared at him, q dry unwill.
ing smile slowly crinkling his dark
face.
Maybe, Darling" he drawled, and
turned to make his own preparations.
Fascinated and useless, Dick looked
on at the methodical furry of the next
fou, moments. 1,ntf1 TeStrange was In