Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-07-25

TeInenDer tnat was reared by q man
to live among men and missed all that
women teach"
Stanton regarded him In an astonish-
ment at once indulgent and ironic.
I'm not likely to hear anything of
you that will shock me very badly"
he dryly returned. "Do you think I
am gentle girl, myself, Floyd?"
mot so you could notice it," sprang
the prompt opinion; the candid gray
eyes laughed out Of their short
eclipse.
They went back to the course to-
gethsr.
The next. two hours were spent in
repeatedly circling the ten mile course
in ten minutes; a reasonable practice
gait, from Stanton's point Of view. On
the last trip he and Floyd disagreed
over a question Of mixture, and came
UP to the repair pits quarreling vigor-
ously, exciting the interest of all be-
holders.
"If don't know when a motor needs
more gas, I'll go take a correspond
ence course" was Floyd's last retort,
as he slipped out of his seat.
Its running like it never did be-
fore, and you'll let it alone" Stanton
sent the definite order after him.
The witnesses grinned at one an
other.
Say, Floyd, that's a fine big brute
Of machine you've got there" COM
Milf ed
as the young mechanician went by
him.
at sure is" came the cheerful agree
ment.
eyes. But it's nothing to the brute
Of a driver you've got"
Floyd paused to glance back.
Let my driver alone" he advised.
stanton and understand each other
all right"
Then you had better quit racing be-
fore you're demoralized," jeered the
other, and turned to find Stanton had
come up behind him.
There was nothing said, Stanton
went on as II he had not heard. But
he carried with him the discovery that
It Is the perfection of comradeship to
be able to quarrel without bitterness.
There was tan-colored automobile
drawn up opposite the exit, when he
emerged.
"Mr. Stanton" summoned a low
toned, smooth voice, from the car;
Valerie Carlisle leaned out, extending
small hand.
She was the contamination Of cool
daintiness and repose. 1t was impos-
sible to meet her beautiful, concerned
eyes without yielding admiration, at
least.
II have been waiting here for an
hour" she informed him. II am so
distressed that my car should have
hurt you, l shall reproach myself SO
much if anything happens to you to-
morrow because Of your strained arm,
that wanted to ask you about it my
self. A weakness there might kill
you, might it not?"
at might, if it existed" he con-
firmed. But the strain does not trou-
BILE me. | deserved to pay more Sc
verely for such stupid carelessness."
She did not avoid his keen gaze at
all, yet somehow failed to impress her
sincerity.
ut was an accident" she deprecat-
ed. 81 suppose you just forgot. Frank
ly, though, l wish you were to drive
a Duplex or an Atalanta, tomorrow. l
do not like the Mercury, 1t is so often
in wrecks"
cit is faster than either Of the 9TH
ers," Stanton defended, yet moved in
spite of himself by her anxiety for his
safety. 81 am also obliged to admit
that it is not responsible for any Of
our mishaps, so far, at least; l lead it
into trouble, myself, sometimes"
Her long, fair lashes fell; she tapped
her fingers nervously upon the door
panel.
'If you could not race, who would
be likely to win, Mr.. Stanton?"
you are taking it for granted that
/ will succeed easily may not. But
without the Mercury, probably the Du-
pick or the Atalanta on this long road
race. On track, l would choose the
Italian car"
She listened attentively, then
smiled.
Il am such an amateur; / do not
half understand. have come with an
invitation from papa. He wishes to
consult you about auto tires, those
for your next race, and he hopes you
will dine with us, this evening"
Thoroughly surprised, he promptly
declined.
Excuse me 70 Mr.. Carlisle; | must
get ready for tomorrow. Moreover, it
is for the Mercury company to discuss
| tires, not for me-"
Her small mouth set, she drew aside
her shimmering skirts.
1--WE will decide that on the way-I
will put you down at your hotel, at
| least"
Miss Carlisle, l am just from the
course; / am not presentable."
THAT is for me to say" she remind
ed. pray do not refuse all my re-
quests"
Almost under compulsion, Stanton
entered the car.