The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1912-08-16

ed ner 10 remove her cloak, at the
theater, she suddenly WINGED.
"The bracelet-it caught my arm"
she explained. before he could ques-
ton. ut is too heavy, really. to
wear"
But nevertheless, she did not take
1T off, and several times through the
evening touched her gloved finger to
the silver band as If to assure her
self that II was In place. A souvenir,
perhaps, Stanton idly reflected. He
was too much interested in the wear
er to pay heed to the bracelet. Except
for the hours passed with Floyd, he
had never experienced anything like
this satisfying companionship.
The performance had ended, and
Stanton was carefully plotting his
charge through the slow-moving mass
OF people, when he heard his own
name exclaimed. He glanced around,
and saw Valerie Carlisle coming
down the stairs from the boxes, her
large, amber eyes fixed upon him.
Under the strong light, in her elab-
crate pale-green gown, her shoulders
bare and showing satin-white where
her cloak had slipped back, her blonde
hair circled with a wreath of green
enameled and jeweled leaves, she was
conspicuous enough to draw the
glances of all those passing, as we'll
as that Of the man she called. Stan
ton bowed and would have continued
on his way, but she called a second
time, adding a gesture Of summons.
"Mr. Stanton!"
Evidently she expected him to ex-
cuse himself momentarily from his
companion, as she had moved few
steps from her father and the younger
gentleman who accompanied her. But
Stanton's eyes glinted cold resistance
of the attempt at command. He de-
upon his arm and, since he must go,
led her with him.
"You called me, Miss Carlisle?" he
questioned. Miss Floyd, let me in
troduce Miss Carlisle
The two women bowed without ef-
fusion, Valerie Carlisle scrutinizing
Jessica with an acute attention that
seized every detail of her appearance.
Miss Floyd, have we not metz" she
puzzled. Pardon, 1t seems so to me-"
Probably you have met my twin
brother" Jessica suggested, gravely
self-possessed. "He is much with
Mr.. Stanton"
There was a shock of antagonism
in their meeting gaze, as there had
been between Floyd and this girl
when he had seen her in the ralroad
depot on the way to Lowell. Miss
Carlisle turned to Stanton, enl4Sht-
ened.
"Oh, your mechanician; I renem-
ber."
MY friend and mechanician, yes"
he amended.
"Ah? But l am OBTAINING you-I
merely wished to ask Il you had quite
recovered from your illness. When
you left us that night, never mag
ined you would try to race next morn
ing. And you should not have done
SO; 1t resulted in an accident"
He opened his lips to deny that his
Illness had caused the Mercury's mis-
hap, then paused. If he had not felt
the average irritability of strong man
sick, would he have quarreled with
Floyd and taken his car around the
turn at such ruinous speed? He did
not know.
II am perfectly well, thank you,"
he answered, instead.
Indeed, / am glad. Will you not
come to see us soon-you owe us a
dinner call, you know"
He did not echo her delicately ex-
pectant smile, his dark face hard.
You must believe my appreciation
of the dinner without that formality,
Miss Carlisle. / start for Indiana in
few days." he regretted.
Her amber eyes also hardened, sud-
denly and strangely; she moved step
to retire, catching up her trailing
lengths Of satin and lace.
AS you will, of course. All; we
found out what car wins when you
are taken from a race, Mr.. Stanton,
as at Lowell. And you judged wrong
it was not the Duplex, but the Alta
lanta. Good night"
Stanton looked after her. ama.ed,
then abruptly turned his eyes to the
frank, steadfast face of Jessica Floyd.
Come out in the fresh air." he re-
quested. THAT perfume she wears
smothers one"
"Sandalwood," interpreted Jessisa,
turning; she had her brothers habit
of instantly obeying suggestion.
And as they emerged: May l say
something interfering and imperti-
nent?"
What right have to object to any
thing said to me? l show small grace
to Others"
Then, pray do not go near Miss
Carlisle just before a race"
He stopped short on the sidewalk.
"You know-you think"
Il know only what Jes knows" she
declared. But l think that Miss Car
Isle Ia not good for your racing. Some
people are naturally unlucky infiu-