Putnam patriot., 1912-07-05
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chine was out of the race, after going through the fence; a heap of disor- dered metal which men were striving frantically to restore to activity. while in the illuminated hospital tent it's driver and mechanism were undereo- ing a kindred process of rehabilita- tion. Otaer cars went in and out from their camps, for oil, for gaso- lene, for tires and minor repairs-for all the countless wants of racing machine. Stanton looked for the Mer- eury, then, satisfied, crossed the track and entered the space before the grandstand.
 Along the edge of the cement prom enade were parked row of automo- piles whose owners preferred to wit ness the race from their own cars rather than from the tiers of seats be hind. Past them Stanton turned, avoiding the fire of attention and curi- osity he would draw by crossing the lighted spa @ where recognition must follow. He was going to the restau- rant in the interior of the stand.
 aD0L oo hG PdcSCd q us " hAAt iOui- ing car at the end of the row, wom- an leaned from the shadow of the top.
 T beg your pardon" she sum- moned, her tone composed and rather imperious.
 The apology yelled a command. Stanton halted.
 Madam ?" he responded, astonished and scarcely pleased.
 She deliberately stepped down be- side him. accompanied by the crisp sound of shaken silk and a drift of faint, rich fragrance. She wore a dark motor-veil. and in the mingling of dense shadows and glaring lights it was not possible to distinguish more than her general effect of youth and well-poised grace.
 T fancied by your costume that you were one of the racers" she explained. And as I only arrived an hour ago, I wished to beg some information"
 'I am one of the men driving" he corroborated.
 She turned to glance at the cars rushing by, struggling for the lead.
 Thank you. Can you tell me whether Ralph Stanton is now driving the Mercury"
 "No," he answered, interested for the first time. "But he will take the wheel again in half an hour"
 An? I have heard so much of his spectacular feats, '" she gave care less, rippling laugh, T confess should like to see some of them."
 Yes? Well, half the people here come to see whether some of the men won't take chance once too often. They say there is d pleasant thrill in watching some one else get killed"
 Hardly that" she demurred. Still, if one comes to an automobile race, one wants to see something more ex- citing than a drive in the park; some thing more exciting than-that." She waved a fragile hand toward the track. struggling her shoulders with an airy amusement and scorn.
 Stanton surveyed the scene, the darkness hiding his expression.
 "The Mercury is marking time with a substitute driver, the Duplex is off with choked feed-pipe, and the Stern went through the fence" he summed up. "The others are driving to win by endurance, playing for accidents to the faster cars. It is a dull period. just now. Yet every car there is go- ing fast enough to face destruction if anything goes wrong"
 She turned to him again, and he knew her gaze swept him interroga- lively, searchingly. But his close fitting linen costume offered no means of identification, since he purposeiy kept from the light the silver letters running across his jersey.
 My father is president of tire company" she idly remarked. His tires are being used on some of the cars, the Mercury for one, l believe, and he wanted to watch their testing under use. So, after dinner engage ment We could not escape, We mo- tored down here from the city. You see I have not viewed much of the race. admit this does not look very perilous and I am bit disappointed. l." again her short crystal laugh, Il shall hope better things of the famous Stanton; I want to admire him very much. But I am detaining you. and you were leaving! Every thanks for your patience"
 Hardly leaving, since the twenty four hour race is not six hours old, he corrected briefly. "I am glad to have been of any use to you"
 She returned his salute; then. upon the cool impulse of one accustomed to doing as she chose, put her question directly:
 "Ah-I am Miss Carlisle; I would like to know who has been good enough to aid me in my ignorance"
 My name is Stanton" he complied, and went on.
 From the shelter of the obscurity he looked back She had taken step forward into the light and her veil had slipped aside as she gazed after him with an expression of acute and eager interest. Shc could not have been older than twentyfour or nve, with a finely cut, beautiful face framed in waves of fair hair.
 Floyd was sitting on a campstool outside the tent, chatting with a group of men. when Stanton returned. The rest had brought hack the mech anician's color and animation; fn fact, he looked ridiculously young and ir responsible. But he sprans up read fly at the drivers nod
 "Time?" he asked. his gray eyes like burnished steel
 Yes" Stanton confirmed. And to the nearest man: Bring in the car"
 There was an obedient commotion-