The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1912-07-04
CHAPTER


arm fall and leaned forward. pecrir
across the blended glare and darkness
{ WHAT" he shouted, above the pu
q Eating roar OF the eleven racing m
chimes lined up before the Judge
, stand. "What7"
II There was furry around the Gel
3 trail car. whose driver leaned from hi
seat to stare down at the man VII
j had slipped from beside him to til
ground. The great crowd congestin
the grand-stand pressed closer to til
. Barrier, staring also. commenting an,
, conjecturlng.
"The mechanician OF the Mercury 4
on his carl"
II Tainted"
Fell"
/ The automobiles hadn't started: b.
must be sick"
The referee was already pushing hi
way back, bringing the report from
the hastily summoned surgeon
Heart disease" he announced RICH,
and left. "StantoE's mechanician Just
dropped on his seat. dead.
| But Stanton himself had already
swung out Of his car, with the ener.
getic decision that marked his every
movement.
MY man la nut," he tersely szated
to the starter. i've got to r4n over
to my camp and get another VIII
you hold the start for me?"
than request. There was scarcely
one among the vast audience who
would not have felt the sparkle gone
from this strong black wine of sport
they had come to sip. IL Ralph Stanton
had been withdrawn from the twenty
lour-hour contest. He had not only
fame as skilful and scientific racer;
he had the reputation of being the
most spectacularly reckless driver In
America, whose death could be but a
question Of time and whose record of
accidents and victories verged on the
appalling He knew his value as an
attraction, and the starter knew it.
although preserving impassivity.
Five minutes" the official con-
ceded, and drew out his watch.
Already stream of men were run-
ming toward the Mercury camp with
he news. Stanton sprang into his
machine, deftly sent 1t forward out OF
he line. and shot around into the en-
rance to the huge oval field edged by
he Beach track; mile Of white rib
ION bordering green medallion,
The row Of electric-lighted tents.
zach numbered and named for its own
acing car, was In a turmoil Of excite
nent. But most agitated was the
'roup before the tent marked 20.
dercury."
"Durand's down and out--give me
mother man." called Stanton, hating
Is noisy, Naming car. Quick, you"
But no one stepped forward from
ne cluster of factory men and me-
hanics. Only the assistant manager
the Mercury company responded
D the demand:
Yes. go; one Of you boys. I'll make
right with you. You, Jones'"
I'm married. SIR" refused Jones
uccinctly.
We'll, you then, Walters. Good
eavens, man! what do you mean?"
For the burly Walters backed away.
ctually pale.
III dig potatoes. first, SIR"
Why, you used to racer"
mot with Stanton, SIR"
There was a low murmur of appro- |
IL among his mates. and drawing
'gether for support Stanton stepped
own from his car, snatching OF his
ask to show dark, strong face
rim with anger and contempt.
You wretched. backboneless COW
rds!" he hurled at them; his blue
lack eyes flashing over the group.
Do you know what and the COM
any stand to lose II I'm disqualified
n lack OF one OF you jellyf1sh to sit
aside me and pump oilf Isn't there
man In the camp? I'll give fifty dol
RS myself to-~the one who goes a
lndred ii win" I
'11l promise twice that" eagerly
lpplemented Green, the assistant
anager- He had private bets on
tanton.
Not one of the clustered workmen
owed
Damn you'll" pronounced the driver
tterly and comprehensiyely. an re-
'at that of1er to the man who will
for the first three hours only. and
eanwhile We'll send to New YORK.
Id find red-blooded male"
The men looked at one another. hut
ook their heads.
NO? You won't? You work vour =
lserable bodies three months to earn
nat offer for three hours. What's
matter with you. don't risk my
ekr" He turned. sending his pow ),
ful voice ringing down the line. :
lere. hunt the paddock, all of Won =
Q hundred dollars for a man 10 ride :.
next three hours with mel" =
You can't take man from another =
mp. Stanton" protested the frantic =
:. Green. He might trick you, hurt :,
D car" "a
His appeal went down the wind nm =,
coed. except for one glance frorn,the sc
'er's cleaning eyes. ~
he won't trick me" said Stanton. =,
The crowded stands were a bulk of .,
aging. soothing impatience. The
ldock was in an uproar. the Mer- :,
y camp the center of interest. But =
volunteers answered the call The >,
lting machine. Its hood wrapped in ~
OF violet flame. headlights and =,
lights shedding vivid illumirution -
'und the figure of its baffied master -,
vered with impotent life and 8,
ength- Raging. Stanton stood. ~
tch In hand, his face set study In ~ :"
I'm. n1