Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-07-04

lieve you. They can rush Rupert here
from up the Hudson by four or i've
o'clock. II you get in for It, you'll
finish. II have to tie you in your seat.
I'm driving to win"
The scarlet Of resentment flushed
through Floyd's grims-streaked pallor.
"You won't have to tie me-" he
promised. white teeth catching his lip.
"I1l not finch. Go on"
Stanton actually laughed. bending
to his levers.
81 didn't mean to tie you to keep
you from running away. but to keep
you from fainting and falling out" he
explained But"
The car bounded forward
The track had been filled In with
wet mud from the infield-on the first
circuit the heavy Lozelle car skidded
and went through the fence at the
north turn. After that, nothing could
have induced Stanton to allow his
machine in other hands.
Hour after hour passed. The noisy
music of the band crashed out mon
otonously; the crowd swayed, MUIR
muring, applauding, exclaiming, argus
eyed and kaleidoscope in color and
motion.
At sunset, when the Mercury made
a trip into camp for supplies, neither
of its men left their seats. The beam
ing Mr.. Green came to shower con-
gratulations upon Stanton, and with
him the head of the Mercury Com
pany, himself a former driver whose
quiet appreciation had an experts
value. Stanton was leaning across the
wheel, chatting with them, when his
employer broke the thread of speech.
What is the matter with your
mechanician, Stanton?" he quepied.
Stanton turned, suddenly conscious
Of light weight against his shoulder.
With his movement, Floyd also start
ed erect, their glances crossing.
Nothing" the driver briefly an
swered to the others question. "Tired,
perhaps; he has been working. AS
you were saying"
But the glimpsed picture stayed
with Stanton; the fatigued young face
against his arm, the drowsy, heavy
lidded eyes flashing keenly awake,
the involuntary expression of angry
shame at the moments weakness.
And he would sooner have tied Floyd
in his seat, after that, than have added
the fine insult of offering to relieve
him.
Ready" some one called; the work
men scattered in every direction, and
the Mercury was off once more.
Car COMM" warned the mechani-
clan, as they shot from the paddock
entrance on to the track. Duplex
ahead"
Floyd was himself again, watchfully
businesslike, nonchalantly fearless.
Color and glow faded from the sky;
once more the search-lights fiared out
around the track and transformed it
to silver ribbon, running between
walls of ebony darkness except where
the lamp-gemmed stands arose. AL
ready newspapers were being cried
announcing Stanton's coming victory.
Driving evenly, steadily, refusing
all challenges to speed duels and at
tempting none Of his deadly tactics of
the night before, Stanton piloted his
car to the inevitable result. At nine
o'clock the flag dropped, and amid a
hubbub of enthusiasm the Mercury
crossed the line, winner.
Later, when the triumphant tumult
in the Mercury camp had somewhat
subsidized, Stanton walked over to
where Floyd was leaning against a
column of unused tires.
you've had twenty-four hours of
me-" he said abruptly. How did 1t
strike your"
Floyd raised his candid gray eyes
to the others face, and in spite Of ex-
haustion smiled with a glinting frank
ness and humor.
IF you want me to tell you" he
began.
81 have asked YOU"
1T struck me rather hard. But
I'd like you to like me as we'll as
do YOU"
81 need a mechanician to race with
me for the rest of the season." STAN
ton gave brief information. "Do you
want the position?"
Floyd Strengthened; even in the UNI
certain light the color could be seen
to rise over his face.
you'd take me; you?"
Eyes"
"You know-oh, / can tune up a
motor, l understand my work, but for
road racing-you know l can't crank
your car or change tire without
help"
Stanton smiled grimly.
81 guess l am big enough to crank
my own car" he quoted at him. "You
,04(,A*'3 3 3