The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1912-09-06


Played Billiards With Three Of Hls
Fellow Drivers.
standingly, as the young mechanician
went straight to his driver.
stanton" he began, with his eager
confidence.
Stanton looked full in his eyes, and
turned his back upon him.
The sudden silence that hushed the
witnesses was more impressive than
any outcry, the stiffness spoke. Foyd's
outstretched hand fell by his side and
he slowly paled, all the laughter wiped
from his face.
'T am ready for work" he gravely
reported, after brief pause. when
you want me, send for me, please"
Very we'll" came the chilling reply
1t was an hour before the actual
start. There was sufficient to be done
to keep every one occupied, especially
after the trucks loaded with tires
came to the camp. Mr.. Green, still
purple with indignation, contrived to
retain Floyd with him and away from
Stanton.
There wouldn't be any racing from
here, If it wasn't for you," he de-
clared once.
I'm awfully bright" Floyd agreed,
but he did not smile.
The machines were preparing to go
to their stations for the start, Stan
ton was in his seat at the wheel, when
Floyd came over, and leaning against
the car, looked up into the drivers
face
what have done?' he asked SIM
ply.
Both men were still unmasked, their
privacy of speech was secured by the
uproar around them. Stanton looked
grimly back.
Lied to me. You were not kept
away from New York by work with
Green, or any other work, for the last
two weeks"
A tinge Of scarlet streaked F1oyd's
pallor, he bent his head.
Eyes, / lied to you," he admitted.
Stanton's gauntleted hand closed on
his wheel.
There was no need Your time was
your own, Floyd; l claimed no control
to be rid of me for while, suppose,
but the reason doesn't matter. Last
night I thought a good many wild
things about you, and your sister, but
this morning I've got my grip again.
No doubt you had all you could stand
of me, I'm not precisely lovable and
/ would have understood II you had
just told me so. But I will have no
friend I can't trust all the way. Get
in-we will finish this race, and part"
Floyd raised his head and gave to
the stern scrutiny his candid gray
eyes. +.
Stanton, trust me all the way now"
he appealed "Can you do that? Can
you take my word that your friendship
is the only thing in the world I want?
If l deceived you, II was so l could be
here to race with you to-day. l will
tell you afterward, can't now"
you mean"
Floyd held out his hand.
1--WE got everything badly mixed up,
but it's clean to offer you, Stanton"
AS swiftly impulsive as his condem.
nation was Stanton's movement as he
bent to give the clasp.
"All right" he said CURLY. Get In;
| I ought to have given you chance"
And as the other obeyed: 81 didn't
mean to meet you as l did. an hour
ago, anyhow; it slipped me-"
They're signaling" warned Mr..
Green, hurrying over.'"Are you ready?
Both of your"
From his place beside Stanton,
| Floyd turned face of incarnate sun
shine to the assistant manager, "a face
80 changed in its color and glow and
warmth that all who saw drew breath
in sheer wonder.
Were ready" his Hitting tones as
sured. Don't worry"
Stanton laughed with him, fastening
on the mask, and sent the Mercury
rolling forward. The world was right
once more, and life sane.
It was an exquisite morning; wind
less, cool, with happy little effects o.
snowy cloud against copaitpiue
sky. The October air was summer
distilled cordial, an ethereal intoxi
cant. The racers had no time to no
tice It, yet the effect was there. The
speed made on the first laps was rec
ord-breaking.
The brown or gray streak of road
ahead, the deadly turns, the PREACHER
GUS smooth hill down which 1t was SO
easy to make speed and still more
easy to meet disaster-for the first
hour Stanton had no attention to spare
from these. Moreover, the spectators
were massed over the course In many
places, recoiling just enough to leave
a lane for each cars passage, and SO
imposing another anxiety upon the
drivers who knew the swerve Of a foot
must bring death to some one.
Car behind" F1oyd's clear accents
gave the familiar cautions. from time
to time. Hes. tryin' to get US before !