The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-04-28

menced. Then Stanton had his first
exhibition of what Floyd called tun-
ing up his motor.
Got her all the way up?" shouted
I the mechanician. when they let out
on the first straight stretch.
Stanton nodded, fully occupied;
the speedometer was indicating eigh-
ty-four miles an hour
Stop her-she needs fixing"
1t was Floyds hour of empire
Stanton brought his car to halt In
an appropriate situation. and the
mechanician sprang out to inyesti-
gate the unhooded power-p plant.
Now we'll try. She is good for
ninety an hour" he painted, return
ing.
Stanton accordingly restarted.
They spent the morning SO: speed
ing furiously. stopping for Floyd I'd
fuss with one thing or another,
watching the speedometer. Floyd
listened TO the engine as TO a speak.
ing voice. translating its plant uner-
ringly and going to remedy the cause.
AS the assistant manager had said
he was a gasolene freak. a clairvoy-
ant magician of delicate touches and
manipulation.
At twelve O'Clock the Mercury
came to its camp and stopped.
How is she doinge" inquired Mr.
Green. You made that last circuit
record breaker. can tell you"
Up to ninety-two miles an hour.
Stanton reported with brevity 1T
never did so we'll before. Get out,
Floyd"
ITO Massachusetts? But so are
We, At least, we had everything
arranged to motor out to our coun-
try place. until twenty minutes ago
our chauffeur was taken violently III.
Now | suppose we must go by
train she broke the sentence. her
large brown eyes sweeping FLOYD
with deliberate question and scru-
tiny.
Miss Carlisle, Mr.. Floyd. whom
you saw beside me for many hours
at the Beach motordrome," Stanton
made the presentation.
Her face cleared swiftly, he could
have said ii was relief which shot
across her expression.
Your mechaniciane Is it posi-
BILE? You also are going to Lowell.
Mr. Floyd"
Yes. since my next work Is
there" Floyd replied. unsmilins and
laconic. 1t was evident he and
Miss Carlisle disliked each other at
sight
She turned from him indifferently.
Mr.. Stanton, l am going to make
you a selfish invitation. Our place
is about seventy-five miles frsm New
York; will you not try our new
motor car and give me the honor of
being driven there by you? You
could go on to Lowell with us to-
morrow morning. or. IL you insisted,
finish the journey by train after din
ner."
Amazed, Stanton hooked at her
Once again he mentally asked him
self what she could want of him.
Thank you; have arranged to
take this train," he declined.
Decidedly"
Decidedly, Miss Carlisle"
She bent her head. patting her
small tan shoe on the platform. she
was even more handsome than his
night glimpse of her had shown,
with an ivory-tinted. cultivated beau
ty whose one defect was GOODNESS.
''Of course. can not urge you,"
she slowly rejoined. But stroll
back to the depot with me. pray; /
had something to say"
my train" he began.
lis my train also. since you will
not take me in the motor-car. We
have time enough: inquired OF the
conductor, moment ago"
Floyd bowed and stepped aboard
the train. leaving the two to walk.
back together, followed by the maid.
II wanted to ask you OF the race"
Miss Carlisle said, when they were
quite at the end OF the long platform.
The speech remained unilnished.
There was a shouted order, the cough
OF the locomotive mingled with the
ring and jangle Of tightening COUP
lings, and the Lowell express pulled
out Of the shed. Stanton wheeled
with an ejaculation. but halted with
out attempting useless pursuit.
How very unfortunate!' MUIR
INJURED Miss Carlisle. putting aside
her tan silk wells. How very stupid
Of the CONDUCTOR"
Stanton turned from the depart.
Ing train to the tranquility regrstful
girl, his straight dark brows knit.
ting. FOR the instant he could have
been certain that she had done this
nationally and by prearranged plan.
But Ut once reason reclaimed him;
hs recalled her breeding. her fathers
high position and wealth; her conn
possd vorldlinsse, and riAiculsd him
eelA y;
I Aave 4sle - ltl -