Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-05-09

O1tar-
water" He Demanded TerseIy.
chubby figure. Break off with you.
Les"
GO on. My name is Lestrange now
and always"
A shrek from the official k!axon
summoned the racers, Rupert swung
back to his seat. Dick reached UP his
hand to the other in the first really
dignihed moment of his life,
I'm glad you're my kin, Lestrangc,"
he said. I've liked you anyhow. but
I'm glad, just the same, And l don't
care what rot they say of you. Take
care of yourself"
Lestrange barred his hand to return
the clasp, his warm smile flashing to
his cousin then the swirl of prepare
ton swept between them and Dick
next saw him as part Of one of the
throbbing. flaming row Of machines
before the judges stand.
1t was not tranQuilizing expert
ence for an amateur to witness the
start, when the fourteen powerful cars
sprang simultaneously for tho first
curve, struggling for possession of the
narrow track in wheel to wheel con.
test where one mistOuch meant the
wreck of many. After that first view
Dick sat weakly down on an oil barrel
and watched the race II & state of
fascinated endurance.
The golden and violet sunset melted
,a-TI l. t,,+r, . f,,l,.
The glare Of many searchlights made
the track q glistenng band of white
around which circled the cars. them.
selves semmed with white and Grim.
SON lamps. The cheers OF the pes
pie os the lead was taken by one IA
vorite or another, the hum OF voices,
the music ard uproar Of the machines
blended arto web OF sound indescrib
able. The spectacle was at once ul.
tramodern and classic IN ANTIQUITY of
conception.
At eight O'Clock Lestrange came fly.
ing IN. sent Off the track to lave a
lam? reIighsed.
"Wa.er," he demanded tersely, 10
the sixty seconds of the stop, and
laughed openly at Dicks expression
S'iai,s be took The cup
Why didn't you light it ont there ="
csked the novice, infected by the speed
fever around him.
Forgot our Matches" Rupert flung
over his shoulder, rs they dashed out
again.
An oil'smeared mechanic 2a.roni..
ingiy explai5cd:
ron cant have oars manicurng all
cur the track and people tripping
ovr 'snl. You get sent off to light up,
and II you don't go they Hne you !aps
ns4a"
TaGhtaes dsyted IN and out froyn
their CAMPS at intervals, each waking
q ssenay Of excitenlaat among tts men.
As ten 7csoak the Mercury car came
In again. Sab Gns ltHping WITH a fiat
dra. to bS 5t-llea On ~ tn mechanics.
Were leai1ng, vu; vet loeo By
his" caid LaGtrangS, clipping out to
relax ant Dsditat1>sy contemplating
TIE aissrl4ss driver. who was standing
acryss the uarap. "Tfrx Oh. at twelve
I'll ffs9e 70 como in to rest somo, and
turn my machine over TO the othsr
ME-. And won't have him wreckins
Il for me, | want you, n owEer, ia
give Aim ahaosate orders to do no
speeding; let him hold a flfty-twc
n,f1c al hour Average Until ! take the
wheel aGstn."
} "Me?~
~ can't do It. You, OF course"
you could" Dick answered. 1--WE
been thinking how you and l will run
J that factory together. It's all stun
about your going away; why should
you? You and your father take me
} as Junior partner. you know I'm moi
big enough for anything else"
You're mans size." Lestrange as
surod, a hand on his shoulder. ''Bn'
it won't do I'll not forget the offer
though, mover"
"All on!" dozen voices signaledi
men scattered in every direction as
I.estrange sprang to his place.
Tho hours passed on the wheels OF
excitement and suspense. When LIE
strange came In again. only watch
convinced Dick that 1t was midnight
"You gave the order!" Lestrange
asked.
YES"
He descended. taking off his mask
: and showing face white with ia
tigue under the streaks of dust and
, crime.