The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1912-10-10

animated preparation. twenty r,,r' OK
later, when Floyd EMERGED from .
dense press OF arriving spectator. 80 us
gained the Enclosure. The ass,.t~
manager almost received him IN NJ
arms, the rest OF the force clust.r.s
around. Gay. blithe. triumpbant
here. If It wasn't for you" be DE-.
clared. once.
I'm awfully bright" Floyd agreed.
but he did not smile.
The machines were preparing to On
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 donef" he asked sim j..
ply.
Both mon were still unmasked. their
privacy OF speech was secured by the
uproar around them Stanton looked
grfmly 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"
tinge Of scarlet streaked FIoyd's
pallor. he bent his head.
Yes, 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
over you. don't know why you did 1t,
to be rid OF me for a while. suppose,
but the reason doesn't matter. Last
night I thought 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
l would have understood II you had
Just told me so. But l will have no
friend | can't trust all tho 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 want?
II deceived you, 1t was SO could be
mere to race with you to-day. I will
tell you afterward. can't now"
You mean"
I've 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:
ought to have given you a chance"
and as the other obeyed: IT didn't
mean to meet you as did. an hour
go. anyhow: 1t slipped me-"
They're signaling" warned Mr..
ireen. hurrying over. Are you readyr
10th OF your"
From his place beside Stanton,
lloyd turned a face OF incarnate sun
hine to the assistant manager, a face
70 changed In it's color and glow and
warmth that all who saw drew breath
n sheer wonder.
Were ready" his lifting tones as
Iured. Don't worry"
Stanton laughed with him, fastening
IN the mask. and sent the Mercury
'olling forward. The world was right
'nce more. and life sane.
1t was an exquisite morning; wind
ess. cool. with happy little effects OF
snowy cloud against a cobalt-blue
ky. The October air was a summer
distilled cordial. an ethereal intoxi-
ant The racers had no time to mo-
Ice 1t. yet the effect was there. The
peed made on the first laps was REQ
me brown or gray streak of road
ihead. the deadly turns. the treacher-
JUS smooth hill down which It was SO
Easy to make speed and still more
,asy to meet disaster-for the first
lour Stanton had no attention to spare
rom these. Moreover. the spectators
we're massed over the course In many
'iaces, recoiling just enough to leave
lane Tor each cars passage, and sc
another anxiety upon the
rivers who knew the swerve OF a foot
aust bring death to some one
Car behind" Floyd's clear accents
ave the familiar cautions, from time
} time. He's tryin' to get us before
ne turn The Atalanta's head In tho
ust-"
The pace maintained was the fastess
which the Mercury could be held to
lie road. 1t was Stanton's way to gain
lie lead first. when possible, Their
sep a steady average regardless OF
S rivals spurts OF speed; unless the
ce We're too short to permit such
cities or the contest too close. Now
the end Of the second hour Floyd
ade the desired announcement ar
ey shot past the grand-stand and the
lletin boards
We're leadin'. The tires have beer
'ldin' fine-look out for them this
und"
stanton moved his head Affirmative
MS narrowed eyes answering from
line Of course ahead. Needing the
vice, he did take the turns more
refully.
(To BE CONTINUED