Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1912-08-23
CHAPTER III,
The Finish, and After,


Morning arched its golden hours
across the still speeding cars, and
melted slowly into noon. The weary
drivers had settled to steady endur.
ance gaits, saving their energy and
their machines for the more spectac-
ular work Of afternoon and evening.
At nine o'clock that night the race
would end.
The Mercury car had registered
ninety miles more than the Duplex,
Doth OF them being many tens of miles
IN advance OF the other competitors.
AT six in the morning Stanton had
goce In for brief rest. At eight he
was back. and kept the wheel until
ono In the afternoon. Victory was in
hic hands If nothing happened to his
car; an hour and a half lost in re-
pairs would transfer all his advantage
to the Duplex. He was jealously
AFRAID to intrust his machine to his
assistant driver, and consequently
merciless to his mechanician and him.
self. But Floyd made no complaint.
AT half-past one, all the cars were
sent to their camps while an hour
was spent in having the track hur-
riedlv mended by gangs of workmen.
The road-bed In places was furrowed
like a plowed field by the flying
wheels. Meanwhile the afternoon
crowds flowed in. filling the stands to
suffocation. massing on the prone
made, banking in solid row Of pri-
Vate automobiles behind the screen.
When at half-past two the racers
were recalled to start anew, Stanton
Sharply scrutinized his mechanician
before leaving the camp.
I'm going to keep this car until the
end OF the race" he announced, not
unkindly. IF you don't think you can
stand seven hours of it. say so; and
I'll have them find some one to re.
l1eve you. They can rush Rupert here
from up the Hudson by four or five
o'clock. If you get in for 1t, you'll
finish, II have to tie you in your seat.
I'm driving to win
The scarlet of resentment flushed
through Floyds grime-streaked pallor.
You won't have to tie me-" he
promised, white teeth catching his lip.
'I'll not finch. Go on"
Stanton actually laughed, bending
to his levers.
Il didn't mean to tie you to keep
you from running away, but to keep
you from fainting and falling out" he
explained. But"
The car bounded forward.
The track had been filled in with
wet mud from the infield-on the first
circuit the heavy Lozelle car skidded
and went through the fence at the
north turn. After that. nothing could
have induced Stanton to allow his
machine in other hands.
Hour after hour passed. The noisy
music Of the band crashed out mon
otonously; the crowd swayed, mur.
muring, applauding, exclaiming, argus.
eyed and Kaleidoscope in color and
motion.
At sunset. when the Mercury made
a trip into camp for supplies, neither
Of its men left their seats. The beam
ing Mr.. Green came to shower con.
gratulations upon Stanton, and with
him the head Of the Mercury Com
pany, himself former driver whose
quiet appreciation had an experts
value. Stanton was leaning across the
wheel, chatting with them. when his
employer broke the thread of speech.
What is the matter with your
mechanlcian. Stanton?" he queried.
Stanton turned. suddenly conscious
Of light weight against his shoulder.
With his movement, Floyd also start
ed erect, their glances crossing.
Nothing" the driver briefly an
swered to the others question. Tired,
perhaps; he has been working. AS
you were saying"
But the glimpsed picture stayed
with Stanton; the fatigued young face
against his arm, the drowsy, heavy.
lldded eyes flashing keenly awake,
the involuntary expression of angry
shame at the moments weakness
And he would sooner have tied Floyd
In his seat, after that, than have added
the fine insult of Offering to relieve
him
Ready" some one called; the work.