Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-08-29
Copyright 1914 Tho Bobbs- Merrill Company

turned his back upon him.
The sudden silence that hushed the
witnesses was more impressive than
any cutlery, the stiffness spoke. Floyd's
outstretched hand fell by his side and
he slowly paled, all the laughter wiped
from his face.
81 am ready for work." he gravely
reported, after a brief pause. when
you want me, send for me, please"
Every WELL" came the chilling reply
1t was an hour before the actual
start. There was sufficient to be done
to keep every one occupied, especially
after the trucks loaded with tires
came to the camp. Mr.. Green, still
purple with indignation, contrived to
retain Floyd with him and away from
Stanton.
There wouldn't be any racing from
here, If it wasn't for you" he de
clared, once.
"I'm awfully bright" Floyd agreed,
but he did not smile.
The machines were preparing to go
to their stations for the start, STAN
ton was in his seat at the wheel, when
Floyd came over, and leaning against
the car, looked up into the drivers
| face.
What have done?" he asked sim
ply.
! Both men were still unmasked, their
privacy of speech was secured by the
uproar around them. Stanton looked
grimly back.
Lied to me. You were not kept
Green, or any other work, for the last
two weeks"
A tinge of scarlet streaked Floyd's
pallor, he bent his head.
Eyes, lied to you" he admitted.
Stanton's gauntleted hand closed on
his wheel.
There was no need. Your time was
your own, Floyd; l claimed no control
over you. don't know why you did it,
to be rid of me for a while, suppose,
but the reason doesn't matter. Last
night I thought a good many wild
things about you, and your sister, but
this morning I've got my grip again.
No doubt you had all you could stand
of me, I'm not precisely lovable and
would have understood if you had
just told me So But / will have no
friend l can't trust all the way. Get
in-we will finish this race, and part"
Floyd raised his head and gave to
the stern scrutiny his candid gray
eyes.
stanton, trust me all the way now"
he appealed. "Can you do that? Can
you take my word that your friendship
is the only thing in the world l want?
If deceived you, it was so could be
here to race with you to-day. l will
tell you afterward, can't now"
"You mean"
Floyd held out his hand.
give got everything badly mixed up,
but it's clean to offer you, Stanton"
AS swiftly impulsive as his condem-
nation was Stanton's movement as he
bent to give the clasp.
"All right" he said CURLY. Get in;
l ought to have given you a chance"
And as the other obeyed: 81 didn't
mean to meet you as / did. an hour
ago, anyhow; it slipped me-"
They're signaling" warned Mr..
Green, hurrying over. "Are you ready?
Both of your"
From his place beside Stanton,
Floyd turned face of incarnate sun
shine to the assistant manager, face
so changed in it's color and glow and
warmth that all who saw drew breath
in sheer wonder.
"We're ready" his lifting tones as
sured. Don't worry"
Stanton laughed with him, fastening
on the mask, and sent the Mercury
rolling forward. The world was right
once more, and life sane.
1t was an exquisite morning; wind
less, cool, with happy little effects Of
snowy cloud against a cobalt-blue
sky. The October air was a summer
distilled cordial, an ethereal intoxi-
cant. The racers had no time to no.
tice 1t, yet the effect was there. The
speed made on the first laps was rec
ord-breaking.
The brown or gray streak of road
ahead, the deadly turns, the treacher-
Gus smooth hill down which it was so
easy to make speed and still more
easy to meet disaster-for the first
hour Stanton had no attention to spare
from these. Moreover, the spectators
were massed over the course in many
places, recoiling just enough to leave
lane for each cars passage, and so
imposing another anxiety upon the
drivers who knew the swerve of foot
must bring death to some one.
Car behind" Floyd's clear accents
gave the familiar cautions, from time
to time. Hes tryin' to get us before
the turn. The Atalanta's head in the
dust"
The pace maintained was the fastest
at which the Mercury could be held to
the road. It was Stanton's way to gain
the lead first, when possible, then |
keep a steady average regardless of /
his riva1s' snurts of snead. unlees tina