The Marshall republican., 1912-08-02

for the hours passed with Floyd, he
had never experienced anything like
this satisfying companionship.
The performance had ended, and
Stanton was carefully plotting HIS
charge through the slow-moving mass
Of people, when he heard his own
name exclaimed. He glanced around.
and saw Valerie Carlisle coming
down the stairs from the boxes, her
large. amber eyes fixed upon him.
Under he strong light, In her elab-
crate p~sle-grecn gown, her shoulders
bare and showing s%atin-white where
her cloak had slipped back, her blonde
hair circled with q wreath OF green
enameled and jeweled leaves, she was
conspicuous enough to draw the
glances Of all those passing, as well
as that OF the man she called. Stan.
ton bowed and would have continued
on his way. but she called a second
time, adding a gesture OF summons.
"MT. Stantonl"
Evidently she expected him to ex.
cuse himself ~momentarily from his
companion, as she bad moved a few
steps from her father and the younger
gentleman who accompanied her. But
Stanton's eyes gllnted cold resistance
OF the attempt at command. He de-
hberately retained Jessica's hand
upon bis arm end. since he must 90.
led her with him.
You called me, Miss Carlisle" he
questioned. Miss Floyd, let me in
troduce Miss Carlisle"
The two I'M bowed without ef.
fusion, Valerie Carlisle s%crutinizing
Jessica with an acute attention that
seized every detail Of her appearance.
Miss Floyd. have we not metz" she
puzzled. Pardon. II seems 20 to me-"
Probably you have met my twin
brother" Jessica suggested. gravely
self.possessed. HE Is much with
Mr.. Stanton"
There was q shock Of a~ntsgonism
In their meeting gaze. as there had
been between Floyd and this girl
when he had Q her In the railroad
depot ON the way 10 Lowell. Miss
Carlisle turned to Stanton. eniisht.
ened.
"oh. your ~mechanician; I remem-
Der"
my friend and mechanician, yes
he amended.
~Ahf But I am OBTAINING you--I
merely wished TO ask II you had quite
recovered from your illness. When
you left Us that night. I never imas.
ined you would try 10 race next morn.
su~ Aua va, sho.sA ucs 49, H.
90: II 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 quarreied with
Floyd and taken his car around the
turn At such ruinous speed? He cid
not know.
II am perfectly well. thank you"
be answered. instead.
Indeed. ! am glad. VIII you not
come to SEQ us soon-you owe us .
dinner call. you know"
He did not echo her delicately ex.
p~ectant smile. his dark face hard.
you must believe my appreciation
Of the dinner without that formality,
Miss Carlisle. I start for Indiana In
. few days." he regretted.
Her amber eyes also hardened. sud.
denly and strangely; she moved q 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
Arc taken from . racs. Mr.. Stanton.
10 at Lowell. And you judged wrong
1t was not the DUPLEX. but the Alta
!anta. Good night"
Stanton looked after her, smsssd.
then abruptly turned his eyes to the
frank. steadfast face Of Jsssica Floyd.
Come out In the frssh air.. he ~
auested. That perfume she wears
smothers one"
"ssndalwood.- interpreted Jessica.
turning; she had her brothers habit
Of instantly sbeying suggestion.
And a they emerged: May I say
somsthins Interfering and impsrti-
nsntf"
what right have I to object to any
thing said to NET show small grace
10 othsrs."
Then. pray DO not 90 q Miss
Carlisle Just before . race"
He stopped short on the sidewalk.
You know-you think"
Il know only what Jes knows" she
declared. But I think that Miss Car
isle IL not good for your racing. Some
people are naturally uniucky infu.
snoss. psrhaps."
Stanton shook his bad. unbsguiIed
BY the PLEASANTLY.
Il uhdsrstand what Floyd believes,
but Il 10 impossible. absurd. Bssides.
II 10 TO her interest for ma to win;
the Mercury ses her fathers tires"
"Yes." agreed Jessica impersonaliy.
When be left her. IN the family light.
cd hall before the door OF her apart
ment. she drew on her glove with .
Uw1ft movement.