Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-04-18

sunny road for the factory office, a
north room none too fight. 1t was a
moment before their dazzled eyes per.
ceived no one was present. This was
Bailey's private office, and its owner
had passed into the room beyond.
"T will wait" conceded Mr.. French,
Diminishing the boy who had ushered
them in. est down. Emily; Bailey
will return directly, no doubt"
But Emily had already sat down. for
she knew the voice speaking beyond
the half.open door. and that the long
prevented meeting was now immi.
nent
"It will not do" Lestrange was stat.
ing definitely 1T should be rein.
forced"
cts always been strong enough"
years. It's not a thing likely to
break"
Not likely to break? Look at last
years record, Mr.. Bailey. and tell me
that. A broken steering knuckle killed
Brook in Indiana, another sent Little
/ to the hospital in Massachusetts, the
same thing wrecked the leader at the
through the fence. Do you know what
1t means to the driver Of a machine
| hurting itself along the narrow verge
Of destruction. when the steering.
wheel suddenly turns useless in his
grasp? Can you feel the sick helpless
ness, the confronting Of death, the
compressed second before the crash ?
Is 1t worth while to risk It for bit
Of costless steel?"
The clear realism Of the picture
forced pause filled by the dull roar
and throb through the machinery
crowded building.
"They were not our cars that broke
any of them" Bailey insisted.
"Not our cars, no. But the steering.
knuckle of my own machine broke I'm.
der my hands last March, on the road
and If had been on a curve instead
Of straight stretch there would
have been q wreck AS It was,
brought her to a stop in the ditch.
There is no other thing that may not
leave fighting chance after it breaks
but this leaves absolutely none. ]
know. you both know. that the steer
ing-wheel is the only weapon in the
drivers grasp. II 1t fails him, he
goes out and his mechanician with
him"
Emily paled. shrinking She re.
membered the road under the naples
and Lestrange's laughing face as he
leaned breafhless across his useless
wheel That was what it had meant,
then, the lightly treated episode!
You'd better fix it like he wants
it." advised Dicks disturbed tones.
Remember. he's got to drive the car
Friday and Saturday. Bailey, not u.s."
"Its not alone for my racer I'm
speaking. but for every car that leaves
the shop" Lestrange caught him up.
''I'm not linching; I've driven the car
before and will again. 1t may hold
for ever. that part, but I've tested it
and it's weak point-take the warn.
ing for what It's worth"
There was movement as II he
rose with the last word. Emily laid
her hand on the arm of the chair,
turning her excited dark eyes on her
uncle. Surely if ever Mr. French was
to meet his manager, this was the mo.
ment; when Lestrange's ringing argu.
ment was still in their ears, his splen.
did force of earnestness still vibrant
In the atmosphere. And suddenly she
wanted them to meet, passionately
wanted Ethan Ffrench's liking for this
man.
"Uncle," she began. "Uncle-"
But 1t was not Lestrange's light
step that halted on the threshold.
"Why. didn't know" exclaimed
Bailey. Excuse me, Mr.. French
I they didn't tell mo you were down"
He glanced over his shoulder; as
he pulled shut the door Emily fancied
she heard an echo, as If the two young
men left the next room. Bitterly dis
appointed. she sank back.
THAT was your manager with you?"
Mr.. French frigidly inquired.
Eyes; he went upstairs to see how
the new drill is acting" Bailey pulled
out handkerchief and rubbed his
brow Excuse me. It's warm. Yes
he wants me to strengthen a knuckle
he's spoken considerable about It. ]
guess he's right: better too much thar
too little"
II do not see that follows. should
imagine that you understood building
chassis better than this racing driver
You had best consult outside experts
in construction before making q
change"
"Uncle!" Emily cried
There's twenty-four hour race
starts tomorrow night" Bailey sug
gested uneasily. cts easy fixed, and
We might be wrong"
I'VE have always made them this
way?"
Yes, but"
Consult experts. then do not like
your managers tone he Is too as
Stunning. Now let me see those pa.
pers."
Emily's parasol slipped to the floor
with sharp crash as she stood up.
quite pale and shaken
Uncle. Mr.. Lestrange knows" she
appealed. you heard him say what
would happen-please, please let It be
fixed"
Amazed. Mr.. Ffrench looked at her.
his face setting.