Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-09-23

music or the DAQd CEaSueu OUT AuHO-
tonously; the crowd swayed, murmur-
ing, applauding. exclaiming. rgus-eyed
and Kaleidoscope in color and motion.
At sunset, when the Mercury made
q trip into camp for supplies, neither
of It's men left their seats. The BEAM
ing Mr.. Green came to shower con-
CALCULATIONS upon stanton, and with
him the head OF the Mercury company,
himself former driver whose quiet
appreciation had an experts value.
Stanton was leaning across the wheel,
chatting with them, when his employer
broke the thread Of speech.
What is the matter with your
mechanician, Stanton?" he queried.
Seanton turned, suddenly conscious
Of light weight against his shoulder.
With his movement, Floyd also started
erect, their chances crossing.
Nothing" the driver briefly an
swered to the others question. Tired
perhaps; he has been working. AS you
We're saying"
But the glimpsed picture stayed
with Stanton: the fatigued young face
against his arm, the drowsy, heavy
lidded eyes flashing keenly awake, the
involuntary expression of angry shame
at the moments weakness. And he
would sooner have tied Floyd in his
seat, after that, than have added the
fine insult OF offering to relieve him.
Ready" some one called; the
workmen scattered in every direction,
and the Mercury was off once more.
"Car comin,," warned the mechani-
clan, as they shot from the paddock
entrance on to the track. Duplex
ahead
Floyd was quite himself again,
watchfully pusiuessike, nonchlanlly
Color and glow faded from the sky;
once more the search-lights fiared out
around the track and transformed It
to silver ribbon, running between
walls Of ebony darkness except where
the lampgemmed stands arose. Al
ready newspapers were being cried an
nouncing Stanton's coming victory.
Driving evenly, steadily. refusing all
challenges to speed duels and attempt
ing none Of his deadly tactics of the
night before, Stanton piloted his car
to the inevitable result. At nine
o'clock the flag dropped, and amid q
hubbub Of enthusiasm the Mercury
crossed the line, winner.
Later, when the triumphant tumult
in the Mercury camp had somewhat
subsidized, Stanton walked over to
where Floyd was leaning against a
column of unused tires.
you've had twenty-four hours OF
me-" he said abruptly. How did 1t
strike YOU"
Floyd raised his candid gray eyes
to the others face and In spite OF ex-
haustion smiled with glinting frank
ness and humor.
III you want me to tell you" he
began.
II have asked you"
at struck me rather hard. But
I'd like you to>like me as we'll as do
you
81 need a mechanician to race with
me for the rest of the season., Stan
ton gave brief information. DO you
want the position?"
Floyd Strengthened; even In the I'M
certain light the color could be seen
to rise over his face.
You'd take me; you?"
Eyes"
-.You know-ot. can tune up
motor. understand my work, but for
road racing you know | can't crank
your car or change tire without help.
Stanton smiled grimly.
81 guess T am big enough to crank
my own car" he quoted at him. You
have your nerve, can't have whin-
Ming gutter to drive with me. | make
you the offer; take or leave It, But
remember, | am likely to break your
neck
"I'il chance that" answered Floyd,
drawing q quick breath, and held out
his slender hand It'll come"
The pact was made. In after time,
Stanton came to wonder at It's bald
simplicity.
The assistant manager overlook
Floyd. a little later, when that young
mechanician, at least specifically
cleaner and wrapped in long dust
coat, was leaving the training camp.
"See here. Floyd; you are going to
race with Stanton right along he
says"
eyes. sir
Mr.. Green agitated his foreboding
head
''You won't get along with him." he
asserted darby mo one does. He.
he is-youll see. But you won't leave
us on the edge of race, will you? We
are entered at Massachusetts, Tor week
after next; you'll turn up on time. no
matter what he does In between1 e
Surely, sir. would not leave any
one without notice. Of course"
PLENTY of notice, Floyd. For you
can't stand Stanton.
Stanton at that moment was in the
tent, contemplating with cynical specu-
lation florists box Of fragrant green
leaves lying on chair. There was no
card with these, but they were sprays
OF laurel. In fancy he saw the mes
sage that had accompanied the or
chids, the delicately engraved letters:
Valerie Atherton Carlisle. Did she
take him for matinee idol, he scohed:
or, what did she want? Something.
she wanted something OF him. What?
Only amusement. probably. He had
not grown to manhood In New York
City without learning that men and
women In a certain set alleged their