Putnam patriot., 1912-06-28
THE PUTNAM pArno. June ss r9Is

bulletin board. zso4red the Mercury five laps ahead Of its nearest rival. And then Floyd spoke again to his driver.
 "what?" Stanton questioned, above the noise of the motor.
 We've got to run in; I'm afraid of the rear inside shoe. It won't stand another skid like the last"
 Stanton's mouth shut in a hard line.
 T will not" he stated. Get back In your place. You can't tell"
 "I can"
 Stanton deigned no reply. sliding past one of the slower cars on the back stretch. To so in meant to lose the whole time gained. As they took the back turn. Floyd again leaned over.
 Coin to throw away the race an wreck your machine. for foolishness '" he inquired. That's just like you. Ralph Stanton. You'll risk . blowout an . smash to save i've minutes in . twenty four hour race. You caa drive, but you won't use common sense"
 Something snapped under Stanton's mask. Raging with silent fury, he slowed down his car and swung into the paddock gate as they came oppo- site it, laundering through to his own camp.
 Fix that tire" he commanded. as the swarm of mechanics surrounded them. and descended from his seat to confront the assistant manager. Have you got me another mechanician, yet? This one won't do."
 Why, mo-" MT. Green deprecated. "The driver who alternates with you wants to keep his mechanician: be- sides, the man isn't exactly ready to go with you. and he couldn't do both shifts, anyhow. I've telephoned to the company to find a man and rush him here What" ha looked toward the group around the car, where Floyd's bronze head shone in the cleo tric light as he directed proceedings, whats the matter with this one? Scared?"
 No" conceded Stanton. grudgingly just. "Insolent and interfering"
 Well, if that is all"
 Stanton turned his back upon the speaker, recklessly and blindly angry. past all reasoning.
 When. the brief operation com pleted, Floyd sprang up beside his driver for the start. Stanton surveyed him through his goggles.
 If you are nervous about my driv- ing and my sense. you had better get off now," was the grim warning. For I drive as see fit, and I'm going to make up these laps"
 Why are you wasting time here. them" countered the mechanician. practically.
 The Mercury hurled viciously down the line of training camps and burst out on the track like a blazing meteor. Stanton shifted into high gear on the curve, and began to drive--as he saw ht.
 The close-packed witnesses stood during most of the next hour. alter nately applauding and shouting dis may. climbing on seats and benches to see The other racers gave the Mer- cury room on the turns. after the Alan car tried to steal an inside sweep. and skidding. missed destruc- tion through and with Stanton by the narrow margin of a foot.
 There was neither opportunity nor wish for speech between the two who rode the verge of death on the Mer> cury. Floyd attended steadily to his duties: pumping oil, brushing the yell low trackdust from the pilots goggles to clear his vision for each turn. watching the tires and the other ma chimes. But he made no protest at the deadly methods of his companion.
 Near the end of the second hour. the scream of the klaxon sounded its significant warning of trouble.
 It's us-lamps out" called the me chanician, after a comprehensive re- view of their machine.
 Stanton shook his head impatiently, and kept on; deliberately passing the paddock gate instead of turning in. As they shot by the grand-stand for the second time, the klaxon sounded again. long and imperiously.
 Gro Be Continued)