Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-02-22

now? Do you know how they take be-
Ing put out those fellows? Why,
when the Italian car went off the track
for good last night, with its chain
tangled up with everything under
meath, its driver sat down and cried.
And you'd come down on Lestrange
when he's winning | won't do 1t,
won't! Send Bailey; can't tell
him"
IF you want to discredit the car
and its driver, Mr.. French, you can
do 1t without me-" slowly added Bal
ley. But it won't be any use to send
for Mr.. David, because he won't
come"
The autocrat of his little world
looked from one rebel to the other,
COMPOUNDED with the unprecedented.
IF | wish to withdraw him, 1t is to
place him out Of danger" he retorted
with asperity. Not because | wish to
mortify him, naturally. Is that clear?
Does he want to pass the next thirteen
hours under this ordeal?"
"Tll tell you what he wants." an
swered Dick. "He wants to be let
alone. 1t seems to me he's earned
that"
Ethan French opened his lips and
closed them again without speech. 1t
had not been his life's habit to let
people alone and the art was acquired
with difficulty
Il admit l 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.
"I?" the young girl exclaimed,
amazed. Il can call him here-safe-"
Her voice died out as Lestrange's
car roared past, overtaking 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 her-the mere thought was a 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
unselfishness.
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
die too" she answered, and drew
the silk veil across her face.
go back, Mr.. Dick, you're no good
here" advised Bailey, in the pause.
II guess Miss Emily Is right, Mr..
French; 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,
1t 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 for astonishnent. "Give me a
pencil No, 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."
II can't 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.
II 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. IT'S 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.