Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-05-17
CHAPTER u. :

.ua
CHAPTER IL
The Rlsk and ths Lady.
Two hours later. Stanton emerged
from his cal1p and stroned toward
the paddock Kit. It was after two
o'clock In the morning: tho dark arch
iof starset sky overhead, tho black
emptiness o4 tho central field except
for the line Of tents. contrasted oddly
with the glistening white track where
the metsor4bright ears circled tireless-
~ to the accompanying monotone Of
many voices, varied by the occasional
wall Of tho ofncial haxon. Ono ma
chine WAS out Of the race. after going
through the fence; heap Of disor-
dered metal which men were striving
erantically to restore to activity, while
In the Illuminated hospital tent it,
driver and mechanism were undergo
Ing kindred process of rehabilita.
ton. Other carr went IN and out
from their camps. for oil, for gaso.
lene. for tires and minor repairs-for
all tho countless wants Of racing
machine. Stanton looked for the Mer.
curry, then. satisfied. crossed the track
and entered tho space before the
grandstand.
Along the edge Of the cement prom.
enade were parked row Of automo-
biles whose owners preferred to Wit
ness the race from their own cars
rather than from the tiers of seats be-
hind. Past them Stanton turned,
avoiding the fire Of attention and curl
osity he would draw by crossing the
lighted space where recognition must
follow. He was going to the restau-
rant in the interior Of the stand.
But as he passed big white tour.
ing car at the end Of TIC -c~. wnm-
an leaned from the shadow Of the top.
II beg your pardon" she sum-
moned, her tone composed and rather
lmperious.
The apology yelled q command.
Stanton halted
Madam" he responded, astonished
and scarcely pleased.
She deliberately stepped down be-
side him. accompanied by the crisp
sound of shaken silk and drift Of
faint, rich fragrance. She wore
dark motor-yeil, and in the mingling
Of dense shadows and glazing lights It
was not possible to distinguish more
than her general effect Of youth and
well-poised grace.
II fancied by your costume that you
were one Of the racers" she explained.
"And ~ I only arrived an hour ago.
wished to beg some Information"
II am one Of the men driving" ho
corroborated.
She turned to glance at the cars
rushing by. struggling for the lead.
Thank you. Can you tell me
whether Ralph Stanton IL now driving
the Mercury7"
mo-" he answered. interested for
the first time. But he will take the
wheel again In half an hour"
"Ah? have heard SO much Of his
spectacular feats, l." she gave a care
less. ripping laugh. II confess I
should like to see some Of them"
Eyes? We'll, half the people here
come to see whether some Of the men
won't take . chance once too often.
They say there Is pleasant thrill in
watching some one else get killed"
Hardly that" she demurred. "Still,
II one comes to an automobile race.
one wants to see something more ex-
citing than drive in the park; some
thing more exciting than-that." She
waved fragile hand toward the
track, Struggling her shoulders with
an airy amusement and scorn.
Stanton surveyed the scene. the
darkness hiding his expression.
"The Mercury is marking time with
. substitute driver. the Duplex is OF
with . choked feed.pipe. and the Stern
went through the fence" he summed
up. "The others are driving to- win
gby endurance. playing for accidents to
the faster cars. It ID dull period.
just now. Yet every car there is 60
ing fast enough to face destruction II
anything goes wrong"
She turned to him again, and he
knew her gaze swept him interroga-
lively. searchingly. But his close
fitting linen costume offered no means
Of Identification. since he purposely
kept from the light the silver letters
running across his Jersey.
my father IL president Of q tire
company" she idly remarked. Ellis
tires are being used on some Of tho
cars, the Mercury for one. believe.
and he wanted to watch their testing
under use. So, after q dinner engage
mont we could not escape, We mo-
tpred down here from tho city. You
80 I have not viewed much of tho
race. / admit this does not look very
psrilous and I am bit disappointed.
T." again her short crystal laugh, II
shall hope better things Of the famous
Stanton; want to admire him very
much. But ], am OBTAINING you, and
you were leavingl Every thanks for
your patience"
Hardly leaving, since the twenty
four hour race Is not six hours old, !"
he corrected briefly. II am glad to
have been Of any use to you
She returned his salute: then, upon
the cool impulse Of one accustomed to
doing as she chose, put her question
directly:
ALL am Miss Carlisle; would
Ike to know Who has been good
enough to aid me in my ignorance"
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