Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1912-10-04
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Stanton's eyes gl1nted 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 metz" she
puzzled. Pardon, 1t seems so to me-"
Probably you have met my twin
BROTHER" Jessica suggested. gravely
self-possessed. "He is much with
Mr.. Stanton"
There was 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; remem-
ber."
my friend and mechanician. yes."
he amended
"Ah? But / am OBTAINING you-I
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. II 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.
II am perfectly well. thank you."
he answered, instead.
Indeed, am glad. Will you not
| come to see us soon-you owe us a
dinner call, you know"
He did not echo her delicately ex-
pectant smile, his dark face hard.
you must believe my appreciation
Of the dinner without that formality,
Miss Carlisle. l start for Indiana in
few days." he regretted.
Her amber eyes also hardened, sud-
denly and strangely; she moved step
to retire, catching up her trailing
| lengths of satin and lace.
"As you will, Of course. All; we
found out what car wins when you
are taken from a race, Mr.. Stanton,
as at Lowell. And you judged wrong
it was not the Duplex, but the Alta
lanta. 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 a suggestion.
And as they emerged: May l say
something interfering and imperti-
nent?"
What right have 1 to object to any
thing said to me? show small grace
to Others"
"Then, pray do not 60 near Miss
Carlisle just before a race"
He stopped short on the sidewalk.
"You know-you think"
II know only what Jes knows" she
declared. "But think that Miss Car
Isle is not good for your racing. Some
people are naturally unlucky influ.
ences, perhaps"
Stanton shook his head. unbeguiled
by the pleasantly.
Il understand what Floyd believes,
but 1t Is impossible. absurd Besides,
1t Is to her interest for me to win;
the Mercury uses her fathers tires"
"Yes," agreed Jessica impersonally.
When he left her. in the family light
ed hall before the door Of her apart
ment, she drew off her glove with a
swift movement.
MY father used to say that one
only offered covered hand to an en-
emy," she said half playful. half seri-
GUS. Good night"
There was tinkling crash. before
he could reply. Stanton bent and re-
covered her wide silver bracelet, shak-
en- loose by her rapid gesture of the
previous moment.
MAY l put 1t on?" he asked.
But she held out her hand for the
trinket; in the dim light he could
have imagined that she had become
suddenly agitated and hurried.
mo, It is too heavy" she declined.
Good night. have enjoyed this eve
| ming very much"