Putnam patriot., 1912-08-09

the silver band as If to assure her. self that 1t was In place A souvenir perhaps, Stanton idly reflected. He was too much interested In the wear CT to pay heed to <e bracelet Except for the hours passed with Floyd, he had never experienced anything like this satisfying companionship.
 The performance had ended. and Stanton was carefully piloting his charge through the slow-moving mass of people, when he heard his own name exclaimed. He glanced around. and saw Valerie Carlisle coming down the stairs from the boxes, her large, amber eyes fixed upon him. Under the strong light, in her elab- crate pale-green gown, her shoulders bare and showing satin-white where her cloak had slipped back, her blonde hair eireled with a wreath of green enameled and jeweled leaves, she was conspicuous enough to draw the glances of all those passing. as well as that of the man she called. Stan ton bowed and would have continued on his way. but she called a second time, adding gesture of summons.
 MT. Stanton!"
 Evidently she expected him to ex- cuse himself momentarily from his companion. as she had moved few steps from her father and the younger gentleman who accompanied her But Stanton's eyes glinted cold resistance of the attempt at command. He de- liberately retained Jessica's hand upon his arm and, since he must go, led her with him.
 You called me, Miss Carlisle?" he questioned. Miss Floyd, let me in- troduce Miss Carlisle"
 The two women bowed without ef- fusion, Valerie Carlisle scrutinizing Jessica with an acute attention that seized every detail of her appearance.
 Miss Floyd, have we not met?" she puzzled. Pardon. 1t seems so to me-"
 Probably you have met my twin brother" Jessica suggested. gravely self-possessed. He is much with Mir. Stanton"
 There was a shock of antagonism in their meeting gaze, as there had been between Floyd and this girl when he had seen her in the railroad depot on the way to Lowell Miss Carlisle turned to Stanton. enlight- ened.
 "Oh, your mechanician; I remem- Der"
 My friend and mechanician, yes," he amended.
 "Ah? But I am detaining you-T merely wished to ask If you had quite recovered from your illness. When you left us that night, l never imag ined you would try to race next morn- ing. And you should not have done so; 1t resulted in an accident"
 He opened his lips to deny that his Illness had caused the Mercury's mis- hap, then paused. If he had not felt the average irritability of strong man sick, would he have quarreled with Floyd and taken his car around the turn at such ruinous speed? He did not know.
 q am perfectly well, thank you" he answered, instead.
 Indeed, I am glad. Will you not come to see us soon-you owe us dinner call, you know"
 He did not echo her delicately ez- pectant smile, his dark face hard
 You must believe my appreciation of the dinner without that formality, Miss Carlisle. l start for Indiana in a few days" he regretted.
 Her amber eyes also hardened, sud denly and strangely; she moved a step to retire, catching up her trailing lengths of satin and lace.
 "As you will, of course. An; we found out what car wins when you are taken from a race, MT. Stanton, as at Lowell. And you judged wrong it was not the Duplex, but the Ata- ianta. Good night"
 Stanton looked after her, amazed, then abruptly turned his eyes to the frank, steadfast face of Jessica Floyd.
 Come out in the fresh air" he re- quested. That perfume she wears smothers one"
 "Sandalwood," interpreted Jessica. turning; she had her brothers habit of instantly obeying suggestion. And as they emerged: May l say something interfering and imperti- nent?"
 What right have to object to any thing said to me? I show small grace to others"
 Then, pray do not go near Miss Carlisle just before race"
 He stopped short on the sidewalk
 "You know-you think"
 "I know only what Jes knows" she declared. But think that Miss Car lisle is not good for your racing. Some people are naturally unlucky innu- ences, perhaps"
 Stanton shook his head. unbeguiled by the pleasantly.
 T understand what Floyd believes. but it Is impossible. absurd. Besides, It is to her interest for me to win; the Mercury uses her fathers tires.
 Yes" agreed Jessica impersonally.
 When he left her. in the faintly light ed hall before the door of her apart ment, she drew of her glove with swift movement.
 My father used to say that one only offered a covered hand to an en- emy." she said half playful, half seri- ous. Good night"
 There was a tinkling crash, before he could reply. Stanton bent and re- covered her wide silver bracelet, shak- en loose by her rapid gesture or the previous moment.
 May I put 1t on?" he asked.
 But she held out her hand for the frinket In tha dim light be could