Putnam patriot., 1912-08-16

CT corroborated. He looked with in- terested curiosity at his nonchalant assistant ''If ani too busy to wor- ry at such times, Floyd; you are not. Don't you ever think of what is likely to happen when we are on the verge of a smash?''
 Floyd paused. turning his large clear eyes on the questioner.
 There's just one thing I'm asking" hs gravely returned. That Is, that when 1t comes, 1t will be good smash. No one minds just dying we're sure to do it some day. anyhow but to be mussed up and patched to- gether again, no! Now" his irrepres- sible smile glanced out again. that's why feel so safe with you; there Is a deadly flnality about your driving methods"
 That is about enough" Stanton sig nified 'lll see you on the train, then"
 They did meet on the train, and passed long hours of travel in work and discussion. The other passengers came to take a decided, if furtive in- terest in the two who sat opposite each other in absorbed conversation or argument, making drawings on en- velopes and timetables to illustrate their points and even leaving rows of figures upon the menu cards in the dining-ear.
 Incidentally. both men displayed a thorough training in mechanical de- sign and construction, Stanton's far the more finished and scientific.
 'T did not know" Floyd marveled, at last
 Stanton forestalled the question by indifferently explaining.
 'I am mechanical engineer: I graduated from college at twenty-one; 1; that was five years ago. You have dropped your pencil What do you say to staying over half a day at Buffalo and visiting your factory?"
 Fine" approved Floyd, a trifie slowly "A half day, not more We have got to make ready for that Cup race"
 Three weeks off You're getting as old-womanish as Green"
 "Too bad Still I have to be at the Mercury plant when you don't. Half 6 day ought to be enough"
 Stanton surveyed him. irritated, yet without tangible cause for irritation. There were times when he could have imagined that Floyd evaded too close companionship with him. subtly held him at arms length.
 They stayed the half day at Buffalo. and went out to the huge, silent group of buildings that had been the Comet factory.
 It gave Stanton strange sensation to watch F1oyd's assured familiarity with this place and atmosphere; to see him SO naturally draw from his pocket the bunch of keys to admit them and unhesitatingiy At each to It's corresponding door or gate. Yet. this was where he belonged-only there should have been busy life instead of this dead emptiness. Their voices ech- ed loud through the desolation. where the massive, motionless machinery stood towering above the visitor and the slight young master of the domain. the metalspotted, roughened factory floors reverberated under their foot steps.
 As they made the tour from room to room and building to building, Floyd grew slowly whiter, his explanations more brief When they finally arrived at a glass-set door marked office, he stopped short and laid his hand upon the wall as if to steady himself.
 Go away. for a moment" he re- quest. his voice catching. 'Tll come after you. I haven't been here since my father
 Stanton swung on his heel and went out; out to look at the mile track. where Edgar Floyd used to practice racing with little Jes tied in the car beside him, and where later the older Jes played mechanician to his fathers driving. And standing there under the dull October sky, Stanton thought of many things.
 When Floyd came after him. half an