Putnam patriot., 1912-07-12
&duaats<neezTo ozs~svr

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 kaleidoscopic in color and motion.
 At sunset. when the Mercury made a trip into camp for supplies, neither 1 of its men left their seats. The beam l ing MT. Green came to shower con gratulations upon Stanton, and with him the head of the Mercury Com i pany, himself former driver whose i 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 i mechanician, Stanton?" he queried l Stanton turned, suddenly conscious of light weight against his shoulder With his movement, Floyd also start l 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 lidded 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 men scattered in every direction, and the Mercury was of once more.
 "Car comin'," warned the meehani- clan, as they shot from the paddock entrance on to the track. Duplex ahead"
 Floyd was himself again, watchfully businesslike, nonchalantly fearless.
 Color and glow faded from the sky; once more the search-lights fiared out around the track and transformed 1t to a silver ribbon. running between walls of ebony darkness except where the lamp-gemmed stands arosA Al ready newspapers were being cried announcing Stanton's coming victory.
 Driving evenly, steadily, refusing all challenges to speed duels akd at- tempting none of his deadly tactics of the night before, Stanton piloted his car to the inevitable result. At nine o'clock the flag dropped. and amid a hubbub of enthusiasm the Mercury crossed the line. winner.
 Later, when the triumphant tumult in the Mercury camp had somewhat subsided, Stanton walked over to where Floyd was leaning against 6 column of unused tires.
 You've had twenty-four hours of me-" he said abruptly. How did 1t strike your"
 Floyd raised his candid gray eyes to the others face, and in spite of ex- haustion smiled with a glinting frank ness and humor.
 If you want me to tell you" he began.
 T have asked you"
 Tt struck me rather hard. But I'd like you to like me IS well as l do you"
 q need a mechanician to race with me for the rest of the season." Stan ton gave brief information. Do you want the position?"
 Floyd straightened even in the un- certain light the color could be seen to rise over his face.
 You'd take me; you?"
 "Yes"
 You know-oh, I can tune up a motor, I understand my work. but for road racing-you know l cant crank your car or change a tire without help"
 Stanton smiled grimly.
 q guess I am big enough to crank my own car," he quoted at him. You