The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1912-08-08

xou Never saw me dressed for IL
opera" be tossed back. ~ he went !,
search Of water.
Stanton descended from his CO.
lung his mask and gauptlets on tn
sat, and followed his mechanic,an
He found him. presently, emerFins
damp and refreshed from ablutIon,
performed in bucket with the aid Of
some cotton-waste-
~Will you come to lunch with me?r
Stanton asked abruptly.
Floyd paused. regarding him In
grave surprise and hesitation.
Thank YOU he began.
Stanton made an impatient gesture
his eyes gIintsng steelblue behind
their black lAshes.
DO you want me to apologize for
bullying you this morning. he de-
manded.
Over the others face swept its
characteristic sudden warning Of ex.
preston.
mo; wanted to be sure that you
want me. Thanks, I'll come with
pleasure"
He slipped into 4 long motor coat,
and accompanied Stanton with ready
cordiality that took no account Of
past events No reproach could have
moved the offender 30 much, no In
jured dignity could have so forced
curb upon his tongue for the future
1t was not to one Of the temporary
eating-places erected In anticipation Of
the race carnival that Stanton tool
his guest, but to quiet. cool hotel
within reach. There, the order given,
he looked across the width of white
linen at his companion with an odd
sense OF triumph and satisfaction; he
felt for this boy-man something akin
to the elation with which youth
takes the admired girl out to dinner
for the first time.
II missed the train. yesterday" he
remarked. Il suppose you had nd
trouble getting the car here7"
None at ALL" Floyd confirmed. y
fancied you accepted Miss Carlisls'I
invitation to drive"
Il did, afterward- 1t was her car
cranked with the spark forward"
Floyd glanced up, a ripple Of incred
ulous amusement crossing his gray
eyes, but he said nothing.
AT leasts set the spark Is I be
lieved right" Stanton amplined. watch
ing the effect, "and when l cranked
the motor fired over. The person who
sat next to me said left the spar1
wrong"
The incredulity died out OF T1oydi
gaze, but the wonder increased
More likely 1t was changed aftel
you left 1t. perhaps by mistake" b.
suggested.
In fash of recollection Stanton
saw Valerie Carlisle's little glove<
hand dart toward the steering wheel
just before he pulled up the crank
Could she have moved the sector. AM
have corrected her mistake an instaR
too late7 He remained silent. nor dD
Floyd pursue the question.
When the first course Of the lunch
con was placed before them, Stantoy
aroused himself Quite Indifferent Il
the walters pained disapproval. h.
LOOK the CdIdl5 VI iCc-uhtcf duo ullu
self filed two glasses
rs this your substitute for cock
tails7" he eueried, and pushed one o
the goblets over to Floyd.
Startled, Floyd yet understood
smiling as he looked across.
YES" he assented, and drank thu
innocent pledge. Motorists both
there was no question OF a strongs
beverage.
Stanton turned to the waiter.
you can go; Ill ring when we want
you. Did you ever drive an Atalantf
Six-sixty. Floyd?"
mo, but I've handled their fours. !
like six cylinder machine, myself; II
has SO fine torque-''
The conversation plunged into pro
fessional technicalities; the senti
mental episode was pushed aside.
People going In and out of tho res
taurant esared interestedly at Che two
exchanging comments and questions
Stanton's dark face waa weiI-known
and face not easily forgotten, while
his companions dress sufficiently
Identified him as one OF the racerf
who held the city's attention durint
the motor carnival.
When the dessert was before them
Stanton suddenly returned to the per
sonal note.
How did you become a finishet
automobile expert by the age Of TWEEN
ty-one?" he questioned bluntly.
well, believe you are only five
or six years older" Floyd countered
with touch Of whimsical sadness
Butt grew up In an automobile fac
tory. had no mother. no kinswomer
at all. and my father made me his
constant companion. He taught me
everything he knew. and newell. he
was Edgar T. Floyd. who owned the
Comet automobile plant, and who de-
signed and built and raced his OWE
cars"
(TO BE CoNTINUED.)