The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08

Harry Bowling took in the scene disclosed through the half-opened door from between narrowed lids. Robert others, was sitting beside Hester on the sofa and talking confidently into her ear. The worst of it was that she seemed to like 1t. Hardy still wore his racing togs in which he had won the motorcycle race that made him champion of America. He was telling Hester of the contest and she was listening enthusiastically. Harry repeated hfs ring at the door and Hester hurried out.
 Come in Harry. Bob was Just tell ing me about the race. Wasn't it just grand?"
 As Harry walked into the parlor an ugly expression passed over Hardy s face, With a perceptible sheer in his voice he addressed Bowling:
 What was the matter today, Bowl ing?"
 How do you mean?" asked Harry.
 q noticed you didn't ride in the free for-all Did you lose your nerve?" Harry caught the sheer and winced. He flushed a vivid pink and began a stammering reply. The race was a sore spot for him as he had hoped to win. The prize of 5000 would have | aided materially in the com pletion of
 the new motor that he was building. My machine went wrong and I did not care to risk fall." he answered. Didn't you ride, Harry?" questioned Hester in surprise. 1T was just crazy to go, but papa had to go out of town and wanted me to go with him.
 nearly cried my eyes out" sne con- cluded frankly.
 "One of the mechanics told me he
 examined your machine and there was nothing the matter with it." observed Hardy. q looked it over myself and could find nothing wrong. We'll, don't blame you. It was a nasty race with | all those fool amateurs in it.' Hester looked curiously at Harry and as she saw his white face and tremb- | ling hands an incredulous expression came into her eyes. Surely he could not have been afraid. But one does not turn white and tremble for noth- | ing. contemptuous expression came over her face and she turned away from Harry in visible disdain. He sat down feeling miserable and | uncomfortable listening to Hardy fin- | ish the account of the great race. Du- | mas was the only rider that could pos sibly claim that championship and by defeating him Hardy had secured his | title beyond question.
 | Harry made futile attempts to break ] into the conversation but Hester seem Fed bent on making it dialogue in- stead of a triolog. Hardy perceived her intentions and aided her in every | manner possible. When her back was turned he grinned triumphantly across at his rival.
 | Finally Hardy rose and observed mean- ingly that 1t was late and that he must | go. Hester accompanied him to the front
 door and Harry listened uncomfortably
 to their murmured farewell. | When Hester returned to the room she
 regarded him scoldly. His attempts at
 conversation met only monosyllabic ,an-
 swers. A
 whats the matter, Hester? Have l
 done anything to offend you?" he burst
 out at last
 Why didn't you ride in the race to- | day?" she demanded. looking him straight
 in the face, her eyes flashing scorn. | At that, Harry's temper, which had been
 
 bonds. His face was whiter than it had been yet. His eyes flashed in way that Hester had never seen before. "So that's 1t " he cried. You listen to the false insinuations of a man whom you know is unfrendly to me. You | calmly take his word in the matter and condemn me without chance to say any | thing-to explain. I think I had better go." | He seized his hat and rushed out with out further words.
 | As Harry opened the gate. which, was | only a few feet from the door,, a dark | form rose out of the gloom and Hardy greeted him with a curt:
 q want to see you F 1 Harry clinched his fists and made as if to pass, but Hardy reached out and drew him back. fts T said wanted to see you. I've got something to say"
 Without speaking Harry assumed a list ening attitude and Hardy began his as- founding speech.
 You and I have been coming 50 see Hester for some time,' he said slowly T know she likes me better. but she does not wish to throw you over because you two have been playmates from childhood. I'll make you a fair proposition. The car
 nival people have been trying to get me | to race during the fair Now one or the other of us must lose Two weeks from l today I'll ride you five miles, bar no ma chimes. If you win I agree to get out and give you clear field. If win you do the same. How about it?" Hot words rose to Harry's lips, but he
 choked them back and forced himself to | answer calmly. Tt seems to me that Hester deserves some consideration at our hands. It
 would not be gentlemanly to drag her into thing like that
 Hardy's sneering laugh rang out. Trying to get out of it, eh? didn't think you had the nerve. never could
 see what Hester cared about in a nerve- less chap like you. Now if anyone l He was interrupted by the appearance of Hester from among the vines. She had been an interested, but unintentional
 listener to the above dialogue. Coming out to close the shutters she had heard
 her name mentioned by the men and had | listened to the end.
 Aren't you ashamed of yourselves?
 How could you do it. This is not the primeva1 DeriOd Oh how COuld vOu.''