The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1912-07-19
CONTINUED from page 81

eager Interest. Sho could not have
been older than twenty-four or Ave.
with finely cut, beautiful face
framed In waves of fair hair.
Floyd was sitting on campstool
outside the tent. chatting with a
group OF men, when Stanton returned.
The rest had brought back the mech
anicjan's color and animation; In fact,
he hooked ridiculously young and ir-
responsible. But he sprang up read.
lily at the drivers nod.
"Time?" he asked, his gray eyes
like FURNISHED steel.
YES" Stanton confirmed. And to
the nearest man: Bring in the car"
There was an obedient commotion.
Several men ran to flag the other
driver; Floyd caught up goggles and
cap, and knelt to tighten logging
strap. AS Stanton made his own prep
arations, Mr.. Green hustled up to him.
Were leading" he reminded su-
perfuously. "There isn't, really. any
need for extra fast work, Stanton"
Stanton snapped a buckle. saying
nothing.
81 telephoned to the office and told
Rupert he needn't come. told him
that you had . new man."
"Well?"
"He said, Poor NUT"
The driver Strengthened to his full
height, his firm dark face locking to
bronze infiexibility.
"You had better report his sympa-
thy to Floyd, whom it's meant for" he
advised hardly. I'm not interested
II the company doesn't like the way
drive, let them get some one in my
place; but while do drive the car, l
drive, and not Rupert or Floyd. or
any one else. I'll neither take risks
nor shirk them to order"
The assistant manager choked,
speechless. He had no way Of know
ing why Stanton flashed sullen
glance toward the row Of automobiles
before the grand-stand, or who was
meant by that ANY one else" Mean
while, he was ihtractable, he was In
subordinate, and he was Obstinate
but he-was Stanton.
The Mercury rolled In, the two men
climbed from their seats, and there
was momentary delay for tank fill
ing. Stanton took his place, expert
mentally speeding and retarding his
motor while he waited for the work.
men to finish.
"Stop a minute while fix the car
buretor," requested Floyd, from be-
side the machine. "It's colder late
at night like this. Wait, you've
dropped your glove"
Stanton silenced the engine. Some
thing in the fresh voice, the boyish
grace of the slight figure, the ready
courtesy of the act, stirred him with a
strange sensation and pricking shame
at his own brutality. Poor NUT" a
whisper repeated to his inner ear.
When Floyd offered the gauntlet, the
other dropped hand upon his shout
der.
Are you riding with me because
you want the money badly enough to
chance anything" Stanton demanded
harshly, cor because you are willing
to trust my driving"
taken by surprise, open astonlsn
ment crossed the younger mans face
but his eyes did not finch from the
ones behind the goggles.
Il think you're the best driver on
the track" came the steady answer
And I'd rather trust myself to your
recklessness than to some one else's
mistakes, IL you. want to know.
guess you can steer straight enough
for both of US"
Stantons hand relaxed its hold.
Go fix your carburetor. Yes. car
steer-straight."
Again the blue-black eyes flashed
sneering defiance toward the grand
stand; for the moment, Miss Car
isles hope Of witnessing desperate
feats by the Mercury car seemed faI
from realization.
But the Mercury had not circled the
mile oval four times when the Duplex
its choked feed-pipe cleared at last