The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-04-14

tires are being used on some of the
cars, the Mercury for one. l believe.
and he wanted to watch their testing
under use. So, after q dinner engage
ment We could not escape. we motored
down here from the city. You see
have not viewed much Of the race.
admit this does not look very peril
Gus and ! am bit disappointed. l. -
again her short crystal laugh, shall
hope better things OF the famous
Stanton; l want to admire him very
much. But / am OBTAINING you. and
you were leaving. Every thanks for
your patience"
Hardly leaving, since tho twenty
four hour race Is not six hours old.
he corrected briefly. Il 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 ques-
ton directly:
Ali am Miss Carlisle: ! would
like to know who has been good
enough to aid me in any ignorance.
My name is Stanton" he COM
piled. and went on.
From the shelter OF the obscurity
he looked back. She had taken a step
forward into the light and her veil
had slipped aside as she gazed after
him with an expression OF acute ana
eager interest She could not have
been older than twenty-four or five,
with finely cut, beautiful face
framed in waves Of fair hair.
Floyd was sitting on a camp-stooi
outside the tent. chatting with a
group OF men. when Stanton return-
ed The rest had brought back the
mechanician's color And animation:
in fact. he looked ridiculously young
and irresponsible. But he sprang up
readily at the drivers nod.
Time +" he asked. hts gray eyes
Ike FURNISHED steel
Yes" Stanton confirmed. And to
the nearest man, Bring in the car"
There was an ohedient commotion.
Several men ran to Gag the other
driver; Floyd caught up goggles and
cap. and kneit to tighten a legging
strap. As Stanton made his own few
preparations, Mr.. Green hustled up TO
him.
We're leading" he reminded SUI
perfiousiy There isn't. really, any
need for extra fast work, Stanton"
Stanton snapped a buckle, saying
nothing
Il teiephoned to the Office and told
Rupert he needn't come. / told him
that You had a new man"
Well"
HE said, poor NUT"
The driver Strengthened to his full
height. his firm darisr face locking to
bronze inflexibility.
fou had better report his sympa-
thy to Floyd, whom It's meant for. /"
he advised hardly. I'm not interest.
ed II the company doesn't like the
way | drive. let them get some one
in my place: but while | do drive the
car | drive, and not Rupert or Floyd.
or-~any one else. I'll neither take
risks nor shirk them to order"
Tho assistant managed choked,
speeehiess He had no way OF know
lng why Stanton flashed a suilcn
glance toward the row OF automobiles
before the grandstand. or who was
meant by that amy one else" Mean
while. he was intractabIe. 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 NIL
Ing. Stanton took his place, expert
mentally speeding and retarding his
-
men to finish.
Stop minute while / fix the car
buretor." requested Floyd. from be-
side the machine. ITS colder late at
night like this. Wait. you've dropped
your glove"
Stanton siienced the engine. Some
thing In the fresh voice, the boyish
grace of the slight figure, the ready
courtesy OF the act. stirred him with
q strange sensation and pricking
shame at his own brutality. Poor
NUT" whisper repeated TO his In
ner ear When Floyd offered the
upon his shoulder.
Are you riding with me hacause
you want the money badly enough
TO chance anything" Stanton de-
manded harshly, "or because you are
willing to trust my drivinE?"
Taken by surprise. open astonish-
mem. crossed the younger mans face,
but his eyes did not finch from the
ones behind the goggles.
1 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 eise's
guess you can steer straight enough
for both OF u.s."
Stanton's hand relaxed its hold.
Go NIX your carburetor. Yes, I
can steer-strAight."
Again the blue-b black eyes flashed
snAering defiance toward the grand
stand; for the moment. Miss Cariisle's
hope OF witnessing desperate, feats by
the Mercury car seemed far from
realization.
But the Merctirv had not circied the
mile oval foilR times .sehen the Dupiex
Its checked feed-pipe cleared at | at
burst from the paddock with its mast
er driver At the wheel and bent on
the recovery Of lost time. The Mer-
curry was On tho back stretch Of track,
running casually near SIXTY miles at
the moment.
Car comm" Floyd cautioned sud
denly.
Stanton raised his head, alert q
fractional second too late. and his
closest rival shot past him, roaring
down the white path. It was too
much: Floyd and Miss Carlisle sank
out Of memory together. as stanton
reached for throttle and spark. The
Marcury snarled and leaped like a
startled cat. Tho dun period was
over.
The Mercury car was slightly tho
faster, but the Duplex held the inside
line. and the difference between the
drivers was not IN skill 80 much N
In daredeviltry. Slower machines
kept conservatively out OF the way as
the dangerous rivals fought out their
onoaA. hatt1A xf~ru~