Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-05-17

II the Duplex had held firm, the Mer
curry must in self-preservation have
yielded room. But the driver knew
Stanton, guessed him capable Of
wrecking both by obstinate persist
ence IN attack. and dared not meet
the issue. There came the gun-like
reports of shut-off motor, the Du-
pick slackened its furious pace, and
Stanton hurtled past him on the, turn
itself, lurciling across the ruts. and
led the way down the track.
The witnesses in stands and pad.
dock went frantic. Floyd pumped oil.
Stanton snatched glance at the min.
iature watch strapped on his wrist,
over his glove, and slightly reduced
speed. The maneuver had been sue
cessful, but the driver knew that It
might have called down upon him the
judges just censure and have sent him
from the track. disqualified.
The number Of laps steadily grew
on the bulletin register. A faint, dull
light overspread the sky. the fore.
runner Of the early summer dawn. At
four o'clock the Mercury unexpected.
ly blew out a tire. Keeling across to
the fence line from the shock and the
Jar of sharply applied brakes. Stanton
said something. and sent his car limp
ing cautiously around to the camp
where its repairers stood ready.
Floyd slid out of his hard. narrow
seat rather stifly. The cold grayness
was bright enough now to show the
streaks of grimy dust and oil wher-
ever the masks had failed to protect
the mems faces, and the effects of IA
tigue and strain OF watching. Stanton
looked for the inevitable pitcher of
water, but found himself confronted
instead with a grinning, admiringly
awed messenger boy who held out &
cluster Of heavy purple flowers.
WHAT" marveled the Disguised
driver. What idiotic trick"
"For Mr.. Stanton, sir" deferential.
ly insisted the boy; who would have
addressed the president as "bo," and
gibed at the car.
Stanton caught the blossoms rough
~, anticipating practical joke from
some fun-loving fellow-competitor. and
saw a white card dangling by a bit
Of ribbon.
Thank you," he read in careless
penc.ling. II have no laurel wreaths
here, SO send the victor of the hour
my corsage bouquet"
She had had the imprudence, or the
cool disregard Of comment, to use one
Nf Enr So51
Carlisle, the name was engraved
across the heavy pasteboard.
She had thought that wild duel With
the Duplex was an exhibition given
for her, that at her wanton whim he had
jeopardfzed four lives. one his own
With strong exclamation Of con.
tempt Stanton moved to fling the flow
ers aside to the path before the Mer-
cury's wheels. then checked himself,
remembering appearances. The or.
chids curled Imply around his warm
fingers; suddenly the magnificent ar
roganee Of this girl struck him with
angry humor, and he laughed shortly.
Throw them in the tent, Blake" he
requested, tossing the bouquet to one
VI l00 WSus lucy ~ WAtu&E I06L
enough"
The new tire was on. As Stanton
turned to his machine, after tearing
the card to unreadable fragments. he
saw Floyd watching him with curious
intentness.
A raw, wet mist had commenced to
roll in from the nearby ocean. The
promise Of dawn was recalled, q dull
obscurity closed over the motordrome,
leaving even the search-lighted path
dim. The cars rushed on steadily.
The night had been singulariy free
from accidents. Only one machine
had been actually wrecked. although
three had been withdrawn from the
contest. Tho omcials in the judges
stand were eongratuladng one an.
other. at the moment when tho second
disaster occurred.
The mist had grown thicker, in ths
lights . dassling silver curtain befcrs
mems eyes, and the track had been
worn to deep grooves At tho turns.
The Mercury was sweeping past The
grand-stand. when one Of the two
slower cars, being overtaken, slipped
it, drivers control. caught In 4 foot