Putnam patriot., 1912-08-02
CHAPTER VII.
The Girl Like Floyd.


 Stanton awoke slowly, with a con- i sciousness of physical well-being and 1 singular restfulness The shades of | his room were lowered but the dag zling sunshine streamed in around | edges and through cracks, glittering over a nearby table covered with vel low telegrams, cards, newspapers, ho- tel memoranda of telephone calls re- ceived-all the familiar evidences of the morning after race. And in the midst of the litter stood an ice-water pitcher containing a mass of pale yellow roses. Stanton drowned and looked about him for bell.
 Some one rose from a corner and approached the bed.
 Better, sir?" queried a businesslike voice; a distinctly medical young man in glasses gazed down at him.
 The full situation came clearly to Stanton.
 "All right" he gave brief asurance. What time is it?"
 The young man consulted a watch.
 "Thirtyeight minutes past twelve. You have slept about eighteen hours, as I figure it. I told MT Floyd that out by that attack of illness, followed by a days work that was enough to exhaust a horse. l saw you race, yes terday."
 Where Is FloydT
 "He stayed here until midnight, un- III you had been sleeping like a baby for five hours. He was nearly all in, himself, but he wouldn't leave until he was sure you were all right. One of the incest fellows l ever met. He made me promise to stay with you l" with an expansive smile, T have got more time than patients. as yet. Here. all this junk came for you. on the table. I have answered seventeen telephone calls and sent of twelve posies in the watering. All right?",
 "All right. and much obliged" Stan- ton affirmed, beguiled into smiling, while he glanced casually at the table. There isn't any one I am In a hurry to see or hear from. l think I will 6SI upf II D NAiilt.
 q think so Considering it is your first meal for thirty-six hours, I'll or der for you. Although I fancy you could digest a rubber tire; you look 1t. Oh, MT. Floyd left note."
 Stanton rose to his elbow.
 Where is it?" demanded the man who cared to hear from no one.
 It was short note on the hotel sta tionery, written in wide-open, leg ible hand that somehow recalled Floyd's direct gray eyes.
 Dear Stanton: The doctor says you are only tired; and I have got to be in New York by morning. I would not leave you if I could do as I want ed. hope you will believe that.
 Cordially,
 JESSE FLOYD"
 The letter might have been written by a girl, for it's reticence and lack of the personal element, but Stanton was well content. It rang right. He felt vigorously alive and amazingly hun gry.
 While he was breakfasting, or lunch ing, and reading the heap of corre- spondence-which commenced with a congratulatory telegram from the Mer- cury Company and concluded with request for his photograph to be used as a speedometer advertisement- Stanton decided upon his course. He would obtain Floyd's address from MT. Green, and pay a visit of acknowl- 4x..r1 .xNt.x upon reaching New York. That much was required by ordinary courtesy, at least.
 "Got any enemies?" inquired the doctor when taking leave
 Are you asking for a list of my acquaintances? Stanton ironically re- sponded.
 Well, don't want to play detec- tive. but that was a funny kind of in- digestion you had, according to MT. Floyd's account. Some of the other racers might have wanted to keep you out of the way"
 "No! Do you think you are talking of horse-traders? Once for all. there is nothing like that done"
 Which was very true. put dlter tno subdued medical man had departed, the jug of yellow roses caught Stan- toms eye. A card was dangling from the stems. a card, blank this time, ex- cept for a penciled legend:
 50 glad you were able to race, but so sorry you lost to the Atalanta."
 There was no need of signature Stanton very carefully tore the card into illegibAe fragments, dragged out the flowers to fling them into the arid fireplace, and rang the bell.
 Bring fresh ice-water," he bade the bell-boy who appeared And timetable for New York"
 However, he did not leave Lowell that day. detained by MT. Green with a score of appointments and arrange ments. Nor was 1t until two days later that he found himself free to seek the address in upper New York which he had wrested from the reluctant assist ant manager.
 Floyd asked me not to give h to peopIe.. MT. Green had protested
 Did he ask you not to give IL to mel"
 No. but"
 "very good; I am not people
 Don't you zee him enough at raoe