Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-05-15

VAxO 0AAOA6 SAO vSOS 00OASA4S0 WIZ
would not have felt the sparkle gone
from this strong black vino Of sport
they had come to sip, II Ralph Stanton
had been withdrawn from the twenty.
four.hour contest. He had not only
fame as . skilful and scientific racer;
? 10 had the reputation Of being the
most spectacularly reckless driver in
America, whose death could be but .
question Of time and whose record Of
accidents and victories verged on tho
appalling. He knew his value az IN
attraction, and tho starter knew It,
although preserving impassivity.
Five ninutes." the Official con-
csded, and drew cut his watch.
Already . stream Of mon were run
ming toward the Mercury camp with
the news. Stanton sprang into his
machine. deity sent It forward out Of
the line, and shot around into the en-
trance to tho huge oval field edged by
The Beach track; . mile Of white RIB
bon bordering green medallion.
The row Of electric.lighted tents,
each numbered and named for its own
racing car. was in turmoil Of excite
ment. But most agitated was the
group before the tent marked 70,
Mercury"
"Durand's down and out-give me
another man." called Stanton, hating
his noisy. flaming car. Quick, you
But no one stepped forward from
the cluster Of factory men and me.
chanics. Only the assistant manager
of the Mercury company responded
to the demand:
yes. 60; one Of you boys. I'll maoe
It right with you. You. Jones'"
I'm married, sir" refused Jones
succintly."
well. you then. Walters. Good
heavens. man! what do you meant"
For the burly Walters backed away,
actually pale.
'I1l dig potatoes, first. sir"
Why, you used to racer
Not with Stanton, STR"
There was low murmur Of appro-
val amang his mates. and q drawing
together for support. Stanton stepped
down from his car. snatching OF his
mask to show . dark, strong face
grim with anger and contempt.
You wretched, backboneless cow
ards!" he hurled 1T them. his blue
black eyes flashing over the group.
''Do you know what l and the com.
pany stand to lose IL I'm disqualified
for lack of one Of you jellyfish to sit
beside me and pump oil? Isn't there
. man In the camp? III give fifty dol
aan~ vnva~lP ~ thu nnA -h~ ~oo. =
hundred II / win"
''I1l promise twice that" eagerly
supplemented Green. the assistant
manager. He had private bets on
Stanton.
Not one of ths clustered workmen
moved.
Damn you!" pronounced the driver,
bitterly and comprehensively. "I1l re-
peat that offer to the man who win
90 for the first three hours only, and
meanwhile we'll send to New York
and fnd . red-blooded male"
The men looked at one another, but
shook thsir heads.
mo? You won't? You work your
miserable bodies three months to earn
what offer for three hours. What's
the matter with you. don't I risk my
aeck? He turned. sending his pow
efful voice ringing down the line.
sHsre. hunt the paddock, all Of you
two hundred dollars for man 70 ride
the next three hours with mel"
you can't take man from another
camp. Stanton" protested the frantic
Mr.. Green. "He might trick you, hurt
the car."
His appeal went down the wind un.
hseded. except for ono glance from The
racers cleaning eyes.
he won't trick me-" said Stanton.
TIE crowded stands were bulk Of
swaying, seething impotence. The
paddock was In an uproar, the Mer.
curry camp tho center Of interest. But
no volunteers answered. the call. The
painting machine. its hood Wrapped in
lets Of violet lame. headlights and
taillights shedding vivid illumination
around the figure Of IT. ba1asd master.
quivsred With impotent life and
strength RastnE stantoa stood