Putnam patriot., 1912-01-26
tRichardi"


 when the Italian car went of the track for good, last night, with it's chain tangled up with everything under meath, its driver sat down and cried And you'd come down on Lestrange when he's winning I won't do it. l won't. Send Bailey; I can't tell him"
 If you want to discredit the car and its driver, MT. French, you can do it without me- slowly added Bai- ley. "But it won't be any use to send for MT. David. because he won't come" The autocrat of his little world looked from one rebel to the other,, confounded with the unprecedented. If l wish to withdraw him, 1t Is to place him out of danger" he sprted with asperity. Not because I wish to mortify him, naturally. Is that clear? Does he want to pass the next thirteen hours under this ordeal?" "Ill tell you what he wants," an- swered Dick He wants to be let alone. It seems to me he's earned that" Ethan French opened his lips and, closed them again without speech. It had not been his life's habit to let people alone and the art was acquired with difficulty.
 q admit I do not comprehend the' feelings you describe" he conceded, at last. But there is one person who has the right to decide whether David shall continue this risk of his life. Emily, do you wish the car with drawn?"
 There was a gasp from the other two men.
 "T?" the young girl exclaimed. amazed q can call him here-safe-"
 Her voice died out as Lestrange's car roared past, overriding two rivals on the turn and sliding between them with an audacity that provoked rounds of applause from the spectators. To call him in from that, to have him safe with ber-the mere thought was de- light that caught her breath. Yet, she knew Lestrange.
 The three men watched her in keen suspense. The Mercury car had passed twice again before she raised her head and in that space of hun dred seconds Emily reached the final unselfshness.
 What David wants" she said. ''Uncle, what David wants.''
 You're a brick" cried Dick, in a passion of relief. Emily, you're brick"
 She looked at him with eyes he never forgot.
 If anything happens to him, hope I.die too," she answered, and drew The silk veil across her face.
 Co back, MT. Dick. you're no good here" advised Bailey, in the pause. q guess Miss Emily is right, MT. Ffrench; we've got nothing to do but look on, for David French was wiped out to make Darling Lestrange."
 Having left the decision to Emily, it was in character that her uncle of- fered no remonstrance when she dis appointed his wish.
 When Lestrange came into his camp for oil and gasolene. near eight o'clock, Dick seized the brief halt, the first in three hours.
 'Emilys up in the stand" he an- nounced. "Send-her a word, old man; and don't get reckless in front of her" Emily" echoed Lestrange, too weary fer astonishment. Give me pencil. No. I can't take off my gaunt- let; it's glued fast. I'll manage. Ru- pert. go take an hours rest and send me the other mechanician."
 q cant get off my car; it's glued fast" Rupert confided, leaning over the back of the machine to appropri- ate sandwich from the basket man was carrying to the neighboring camp. Go on with your correspondence, dearest"
 So resting the card Dick supplied on the steering wheel, Lestrange wrote a difficult two lines.
 He was out again on the track when Dick brought the message to Emily. q just told him you were here. cousin" he whispered in her ear. and dropped the card in her lap.
 I'll enjoy this more than ever, with you here" she read. Its the right place for my girl. I'll give you the cup for our first dinner table, tonight.
 DAVID"
 Emily lifted her face. The tragedy of the scene was gone, Lestrange's eyes laughed at her out of mist. The sky was blue, the sunshine golden; the merry crowds commencing to pour in woke carnival in her heart. "He said to tell you the machine was running magnifcently," supple mented Dick, "and not to insult his veteran reputation by getting nervous. He's coming by-look."
 He was coming by; and, although unable to look toward the grand-stand he raised his hand in salute as he passed, to the one he knew was watching. Emily flushed rosily, her dark eyes warm and shining.
 T can wait" she sighed, gratefully. ''Dickie, I can wait until it ends now.''
 Dick went back.
 The hours passed. One more car went out of the race under the grind Ing test; there were the usual incl dents of blown-out tires and tempo rary withdrawals for repairs. Twice Mir. French sent his partner and Em- fly to the restaurant below, tolerating his seat. Perfectly composed. his ex-' pression perfectly self-contained, he watched his son. The day grew unbearably hot to-. rard afternoon heat rather of Julv