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

A Sold by all Dealers
And should he play the game to which
she invited him, or decline It? Was
1t worth while? He was weary to ex-
haustion. but still he remained gazing
at the box OF laurel.
"Ypu can't stand Stanton" Mr..
Green was warning Floyd, by way of
farewell
And the mechanician was laughing.
CHAPTER Nv.
Stanton and Floyd did not meet
again for a fortnight Their ways Of
life did not run parallel except when
q race was due or taking place. The
Mercury car had gone back to the fac
tory for thorough overhauling, after
the twenty-four-hour grind, and it
would have as soon occurred to Stan
ton to seek out his machine as his me-
chanician. Some drivers grow sem
attached to their cars,
watching them fondly and jealonsly;
he did not, consistently and temper
amentally practical in outlook on the
minor facts of life.
1t was in the railroad depot, the
morning he started for Massachusetts,.
that Stanton saw his mechanician for
the first time since the Beach victory.
Floyd was seated on one of the wait
ing-room benches, reading a magazine;
in his gray suit and long overcoat, his
head with its clustering bronze curls
bent over his book, he looked like a
particularly delicate and pretty boy OF
eighteen, perhaps even trifle effemi-
nate. Remembering that cry from the
midst of the perilous struggle with the
Duplex: "Cut him closer: he's weak
ening! Cut him closet" Stanton's lip
curved in amazed appreciation as he
crossed to the absorbed reader.
Good morning" he remarked.
Floyd glanced up, then rose with
an exclamation and held out his hand,
his ready color rising like a girls I'M
der his fine, clear skin.
tGood morning; I didn't see you
coming" he responded.
"No, you were reading. You are go
ing"
ITO Lowell. The car is aboard, you
know"
II did not know" corrected Stanton
with indifference. He was studying
the other curiously, striving to analyze
his singular attractiveness and to find
the reason why he, Stanton, should
feel pleasure at the prospect OF having
this companion at his side; he, who
had never formed friendships as most
men did.
Floyd laughed, his gray eyes mis-
chievous.
"Well, know. We've been work
ing all the week at the machine, and
we've got her ticking like a watch.
You don't bother about that suppose
you don't have to, It's up to us. But
if you will take her out on the track
tomorrow, I'll tune her up to the last
notch"
Suddenly Stanton put his finger on
the thing he sought one thing that
made this mechanician different; and
voiced his thought before considering
wisdom.
You're different class, Floyd" he
stated abruptly. You're no workman,
nor descendant of workmen."
Floyd stared, startled at the brusk
then melted into straight
direct smile as he met the keen gaze.
Neither are you," he countered.
Nor 1t wouldn't be of any Importance
II we were, but we are not. I'm not
asking you why you are working with
your hands instead of your head, and I
suppose you are not asking me. Who
caresy"
mo one," dryly agreed Stanton.
'But can tell you that am doing
this to make money, and make it
quick. and I would much prefer break
Ing my neck to living in the ruck Of
poverty. They are calling our train;
you had better come"
"I'm supposed to keep in touch with
Mr.. Green" Floyd observed, gather
Ing up his magazine with cheerful
He is worrying about
me most OF the time, for fear I'll lose
my nerve and desert"
Which was not precisely what was
the assistant manager OF the
Mercury company. and perhaps STAN
ton OF the rough temper knew 1t.
II fancy your nerve will hold out, II
your patience Does" was his reply.
Patience IL supposed to be WON
ans art" doubted Floyd. But I'll try
to acquire It."
Stanton laughed briefly.
II wouldn't give much for your
chance of success, In that case. II
ever find woman who will ride with
me as you do, will-marry her"
ooh. no, you will moi" contradicted
the other, searching his pockets for a
missing glove. You will marry a
Fluffy Ruffles who will faint II you
exceed the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. speed
limit. And then you will quit racing
and be spoiled for the Mercury Com
pany, aud all its rival manufacturers
will e&0Gt for iOy. n yourp man m ar.