Putnam patriot., 1912-08-02


 perb endurance.
 A little later Floyd, some of the grime removed. somewhat rested. and issuing from the ambulance sur geon's care with his arm bandaged in civilized fashion, felt a touch on his shoulder.
 I'm going to get out of this up- roar" Stanton briefly imparted. Come with me; send for your things and stay at my hotel tonight"
 Floyd drew back, hesitating oddly.
 I'm sorry" he began.
 Stanton's straight dark brows con tracted.
 You mean that you don't want any thing personal to do with your brute of driver? Oh, say so.
 No, no! Only-I-"
 The steel-keen eyes sent one direct glance into the troubled gray ones.
 "Good-by," pronounced Stanton defi- nitely, and turned on his heel.
 "Stanton." cried Floyd. in distress.
 The other kept on, unheeding.
 "Stanton!" Floyd appealed, overtak- ing him. "Please-I give you my word I never meant that. I've got to be back at my own hotel, tonight, that was all. I'll do anything you say
 Stanton slowly halted.
 Will you come with me now, to dinner? Suit yourself"
 "Fd like to-" was the humble sur render. Like a woman, Floyd yielded to a superior will; like a man, there were no small reservations in his yielding.
 There was a taxicab waiting; to it Stanton led the way.
 The destination was one Of the large hotels of the city, and neither of the companions were dressed for the public dining-room. In the guest-crowded lobby Stanton paused to order dinner sent to his own apart ment, perfectly indifferent to the sen sation caused by their entrance.
 You are unwell, sir?" the clerk ventured, regarding him wide-eyed
 No" he denied laconically.
 But he looked far more fatigued than his comparatively frail mechan- ician. nevertheless. Fatigued, and iil
 You didn't hurt yourself in our up- set, hope" Floyd said with anxiety. when they were alone in the stin. inn personal hotel room.
 No. l had bad night of it." Stan- ton explained. He sat down in an armchair, resting his head against the cushioned back. Make yourself com fortable as you can. Floyd. There Is nothing the matter with me-there can't be, never was sick day since I can remember. Probably l need feeding; I've eaten nothing since that confounded dinner last evening, and it is nearly six o'clock now"
 But, after all, when the food was brought, Stanton could eat none of 1t: although maintaining pretense of doing so, which forbade his com panion to comment upon the fact.
 Were you feeling i'll yesterday" Floyd inquired, when the last course was removed and they were left to themselves His own bearing was less assured than usual. his gaiety subdued to quietness almost savoring of tim idity.
 Not until evening, after dinner"
 The mechanician looked at him. started to speak, checked himself, and at last impulsively put the indiscreet question:
 Do you mind telling me where you dined?"
 "Of course not" Stanton returned, without a trace of hesitation. With MT. Carlisle of the tire Company, and his daughter. They are here for the races. He wanted to talk tires to me, Heaven knows why. We didn't get very far; after Miss Carlisle left us I began to feel so sick that l ex- cused myself and got away to the nearest doctor"
 Floyd turned his head, and caught his breath in brief, quick sigh. When he looked back at his host, his candid eyes were clearer and more gentle than they had been since the assist ant manager had given the account or Stantons amazing disappearance.
 Acute indigestion, your doctor called your attack"
 Something like II.
 Miss Carlisle doesn't seem to be a lucky companion,' Floyd observed dryly. "She made you miss your train here, you came near breaking your wrist with her car, and her dinner seems to have poisoned you. what did she give you, lobster and ice cream?"
 "No-I hardly know. l never care what I eat" He passed his hand im- patiently across his forehead. sudden. ly giddy
 Floyd leaned nearer.
 Stanton, how did you feel? What! Tell me; I'm not just curious"
 Nausea, violent successive attacks of seasickness that left me too weak to stand. I've got the headache yet. His voice died out; he had vague impression of Floyd starting up ana coming toward him.
 'I had to make the doctor steady me with some drug so l could race, ne resumed abruptly. I'm brute enough without that in me, Floyd"
 Hush, try to rest" urged his mech anician's earnest young voice across the mist
 I'm tired" he conceded.
 It seemed to him long time after- ward that a sensation of exquisite coolness extinguished the hame-hKe pain binding his temples. although the rich sunset glow was still in the room when he opened his eyes. Floyd was bending over him, bathing his lore head with light, firm touches. stan tho savaya irritahility of a strong man