The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1912-10-24
CHAPTER xII.-(contInusd.l


awakes. and believes Floyd dead
i CHAPTER xii.-(contInued.
! There is nothing at all singular In
my being here. Mr.. Stanton" she stat
ed, In her cool. indoIent voice. BE
cause ascertained by telephone when
you Intended to leave the hospital, and
30 arranged to meet you on the train.
Tomorrow start for Europe, to re-
main for long time, and It was nee
essary for me to speak with you first.
l am sorry to see that you have been
frightfully ILL.,"
You are too good" he answered,
the old antagonism stirring him strong
ly. "As you observe. was not for
tunate enough to finish myself COM
pletely in the late wreck"
One sometimes feels like that"
she coincided, passing one small gloved
hand across the soft fur OF her mum.
i have wished for the finish, here
lately. for my part. You probably did
not know that | was engaged to marry
Archer Ross, OF the Atalanta Automo-
bile Company"
Stanton sat erect. All Floyd's sus-
picions OF this girl rushed back to his
mind
Yes she confirmed the thought In
his expression. What you are imagin-
Ing Is quite correct. | tried very hard
to induce you to drive for the Atalanta
Company instead OF for the Mercury.
The Atalanta absolutely required a
good racing record. But failed. You
were more than firm In your decision"
30 that had been what she wanted
OF him. That had lain behind her
polished surface OF gracious admira-
ton and had been the core Of her In
sincerity.
"And when would not drive for
your company. you tried to prevent
me from driving for my own7" He
wondered incredulously.
She looked at him, and looked away
again.
Il fancy you would scarcely credit
me, Mr.. Stanton. II | denied the fact.
now. | have been very clumsy; a So
ciety woman is not trained to practical
melodrama. You are unbelievably diff
ficult to lead"
Her hawless self,possession gave an
effect OF unreality to the whole affair.
Stanton felt a vertigo of the mind.
you had that purpose in view
when you first spoke to me at the
Beach twenty-four hour racer" he
questioned. you hoped to induce
me to wreck my car by fast driving. in
order to leave the Atalanta a better
chance OF winning?"
"Oh, mol" she deprecated. 81 never
tried to cause your wreck-what can
you think me? No. that was merely
an impulsive experiment: l wanted to
see II you would do as wished. Some
men have done So"
Are you going to tell me that you
rugged me at Lowell, on the eve of
he road racer"
'Drugged your That is a barsher
description than ever gave the incl
lent In my own mind. But poured
INTO your coffee what Archer Ross had
oven me for that purpose He said Il
would not harm you. only prevent you
rom driving next morning: he had
'een betting heavily on his car. But
'ou raced. after all. III as you must
ave been. ! never imagined you would
AXE such risk. or l should have re-
used the responsibility. disliked the
ask. anyhow. To be frank, was hor-
IDLY frightened when | saw you on
he course. and when the report of
our accident came in. felt guilty of
assassination"
He looked ut her, at her ivory-and.
old beauty. her composed ease. his
wn face coldly emotionless. II did
ot matter. nothing mattered. now.
hut yet he read that behind that an
aren't ease OF hers heayed a sea OF I
Iormy thoughts; as always, her speech
Ias no guide to her mind II
Il suppose. then. that you would 4
OF have been distressed II had
roken my arm when cranked your Z
ar after driving you home from New
ork." he commented. Il
Her color changed for the frst time !
er eyes dashed 10 his.
@~e ""eeieu me, she retortcd.
You brutally told me that you had I
Oh raced at the Beach. to please me. .
Or would you do SO. You were super.
Nous. no man had ever treated me .
lat way before. For one instant did
ate and long to hurt you: I pushed
the spark as you cranked. The o
'xt moment l would have undone 1t
could" c
There was pause, as the train halt
al a station. and the usual furry OF
'ress and ingress ensued. When the :,
art was made: u
why are you telling me thisf -
anton asked. Il am not considered :,
peciaiiy amiabie and fofgiving. as a =,
10; why chance unnecessary con- =,
ssionf" "
NO." her LIP bent IN faint smile Ia