The Marshall republican., 1912-06-07

turn. and his own best move. The
successive nashlights on eifket spld&
were binding. the atmosphere VA
~suffocating with the exhaust gssoIene
and acetyiene fumes. II was a q Ia
miliar to him as the odor Of sawdust
10 the circus dweller, as the strong
salt wind to q habitant Of the coast;
the unusual element lay in the boy
beside him. Man. he refused to
acknowledge him.
The sharp crack OF a pistol, the fall
Of q nag, and the whole struggling,
flaming flock sprang forward toward
the first turn. wheel to wheel in
deathedged contest. And Stanton for
got his m~echanician.
The Mercury led the first circuit, Al
usual. II was very fast, and its pilot
took the chances more prudent drivers
avoided. Still. the lead was less than
the cars length, two OF lie closest
rivals hanging at its TANKS. when they
passed the tumultuous grsndstand.
Just ahead lay again the death
curve" There was a swift movement
beside Stanton, the pendent linen
steamers floating from his cap were
deftly seized and the dust swept from
his goggles with a practiced rapidity.
Gar on each side an n trying 10
pass" the clear voice pierced the
bearing. mo room next the fence"
Stanton grunted. The boy knew
how to rise In . speeding machine.
then. and how to take care of his
driver, he noted. Nevertheless, he
meant to take that fence side.
And he did. As the otter drivers
shut on power to take the dangerous
bend more slowly. Stanton shot for.
ward at unchanged speed. cut in ahead
and swept FIRST around the turn. tax.
ing the inside curve. The spectators
rose with q universal cry Of consterna.
ton: the Mercury swerved, almost
facing the inleld fence. skidding ap-
palliugly and lurching drunkeniy on
two wheels. then righted itself under
the steering.wheel In the masters
hands. and rushed on. leading by a
hundred feet.
The people cheered fr~anticsiIy, the
band crashed into music.
~ . Ah'tnnhtttah koN uD w ttAu
over the back OF the flying car and
feel the ear castings.
You're tryin' to tires." he impaired,
his accents close to the drivers ear.
That was the frat time that Stanton
noticed that Floyd lisped and blurred
Ills final e" in moments OF excite
ment. II might have sounded effemi.
nate, II the voice had not been with.
out a tremor. As II was
At the end OF the first hour. the
bulletin boards showed the Mercury
i've laps ahead Of It's nearest rival.
And then Floyd spoke again to his
driver.
"whatf" Stanton questioned. above
the noise Of tho motor.
We've got 10 run In; I'm afraid OF
the rear inside shoe. II won't stand
another skid like the last"
Stanton's mouth shut In q hard
line.
Il will not" he stated. Get back
In your place. You can't tell"
81 can"
Stanton deigned no reply, sliding
past n OF tho slower carr on the
back stretch. To 20 In meant to lose
the whole time gained. A they took
the back turn, Floyd again leaned
over.
Coin to throw away tho race an
wreck your machine. for foolishnessr"
he inquired. That's Just like you.
Ralph Stanton. You'll risk . biow-ou
an . smash to save ave minutes In .
tw~enty-four hour Q You can drive.
but you won't use commou sense"
Something snapped under 6~tanton's
mask. Raging with silent fury. he
allowed down his car and swung into
IL paddock gate - they came oppo-
site II. laundering through TO his own
camp.
FIX that tire" he oomman6sd,' %
The swarm q mechanics surrounded
than. and descended from his ssst-to
confront the assistant manager. ~Have
you rot me another mechanical.
YETI This ons won't do"
why, mo-" Mr.. Green deprecated.
The driver who a~ltsruatss with you
wants to keep his mschanician: be-
sides. the man isn't exactly ready to
90 with you. and no couldn't do both
shifts. anyhow. I've tslsphoned TO
the company to md q man and rush
him here. what" he looked toward
the group around the car, where
Fioyd's bronss head shone In the cleo
trio light 80 no directed proceedings.
whats tho matter with this onef
scaredf"
NO." conceded Stanton. g~rudgngiy
3ust. "~Insosent and interfering"
We'll, n that IL ALL"
To be continued