The Marshall republican., 1912-07-12
CHAPTER v.
Tuning Up.


Floyd was sitting on q railing IN
front Of the repair pits, when Stanton
came out to the course next morning,
engaged in chatting airily with q cou-
pie OF jovisl drivers from rival cars.
He was laughing, and 90 were the two
men. Clad in correct racing costume,
this time. instead Of the impromptu
blend Of the former occasion, his
bright head tilted back, his gray eyes
mirthful, Floyd vaguely suggested q
certain charming actress and a very
practical Peter Pan who refused to
grow up.
Stanton paused in the shadow TO
survey the group. So Floyd knew the
other men, and was liked by themi
He had not been aware Of that; he
had supposed his mechanician to BE- -
unsociai and understanding a. him
self. Amid the minglins sounds Of
cars testing and starting out on prac-
tice runs, Of busy workmen and me-
chanics. he could hear little Of what
was said; but the bursts OF laughter
came to him, and a. q climax he saw
George OF the Duplex lean forward
and slap Floyd caressingly on the
shoulder.
It'll come to your funeral. sweet
child" the big. g~ood-humorcd driver
chafed. by way OF adieu, his bolster
GUS tones carrying above the complex
din. You're too awfully dear to
stay in this hard life"
royd's reply was inaudibie. but he
waited the other a mocking salute.
and there was a shout Of merriment.
Something hre-hot pierced Stanton:
for the FIRST time In his life no felt
the stab OF Jealousy. Jealousy. not Of
the exquisite Valerie Carlisle. not Of
sone feilow-dnver's fame. but Of his
hired m~echsnician.
The group, already breaking mp.
drew apart at stauton's approach.
nodding greeting to him., But. beyond
returning the saiutes. he, disregardsd
all except Floyd. opposite whom he
stopped.
You seem to have nothing TO do;
IL the machine readyt" he nung. with
bis ugliest information.
Floyd slipped on the railing and
stood up. HE expression fiicksring IN
momentary surprise.
"All ready" he answered, quietly
b~usinesslike under the u~ndessrvsd -
buke.
Get II out. then"
The other men glanced s~ignincantiy
at n another.
"Good luck. Floyd" wished a aim
Italian driver. whose reputation
sQualed 6tanton's own. ~ he turne<
away.
The Mercury q was out already
One Of the factory men cranked II
after Stanton took his seat. Heyd wal
moving to take the place beside. whsr
his eyes fell on the drivers bandass<
wrist.
whats ups- Stanton demanded. q
the exclamation.
"You have hurt your armf~
slightly. I cranked an Atalsntl
Six yesterday with ny spark I'd
vsnced."
The mechanician stopped with on,
foot on the car. looking At him.
~Isst my spark forward and wen
around In front and cranked up AMI
wrsnchsd my ARM" Stanton explicitly
repeated.
Floyd regarded him blankiy. thsI
slowly dissolved into . smile Of hu
morous comprehension and stspps'
into The Al
Fl had no right to ASK. Of courss.'
be agreed. ri beg your pardon
Curious people should expect to hsa
nonsense" ~
Floyd believed himself put Oh will
an obvious tale. a. one reproves
.tooimportunate child. 90 impossibl
he. considered such ca~relessness. An
Stanton wholly coincldsd viii, hi
Judgment. Only. the fact remained
The little episode had relieved tn
atmosphere. however. and restore
naturalness Of speech. They shot dow
the course. In the sweet country ali
and the days work had commenced
Then Stanton had his nrst exhibition
Of what Floyd called tuning up hi
motor.
"Got her all the way upg" ahouts
the ~mechanicisn. VIXEN they let out o
the first straight stretch.
Stanton nodded, fully occupied; th
speedometer wal indicating eight
four miles An hour.
stop her--she needs fixing"
Il was Floyd's hour Of empire. Sta
ton brought his q to = halt In an n
propriats situation. and the mechan
clan sprang out TO Investigate The n
hooded powsrpIant.
'Now well try. She n good Il
ninety m hour" he pantsd. rstusninl
stanton accordingly rsstaStsd.
They spent the morning -; spse'
Ing furiously, stopping tor Floyd
nnss with one thing or aupther. watcl
ing the spsedomster. Nloyd iistepe
- the engine o 70 : speaklnS voic