The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1912-10-17
CHAPTER xI-(contlnu.d,.

Inc precauuon was justified. o.
the most dreaded angle OF the cours,
came the well-known explosion. I'm
mediately followed by second from
the opposite wheel, the Mercury top
pied perilously.
Floyd was leaning over the back un
strapping the extra tires, before Stan
ton had brought the car to a standstill
Inc two men were out on the ground
together, dragging forth tools. Hinged
about by pushing, exclaiming specta.
tors, they worked with quick precision,
wasting no time In speech. Dust
wrapped, two big cars sped by them,
the red one hanging doggedly at the
flank Of the white.
George thinks he's wInnin'," lisped
Floyd mockingly. But he isn't goin'
to-; we are"
Stanton was on his feet again.
In with the TOOLS" he directed,
with brevity.
But the blue-black eyes and gray
exchanged one smiling glance before
the Mercury sprang forward.
The race began its third hour. as
stanton started out to regain his lost
lead. 1t was noon, dazzling, breath
less noon OF azure and gold. Down
past the grand-stand with its heaving
sxpanse OF color and movement they
swept again. the joyous applause COM
ing 10 them across the roar OF their
own motor, and on between the walls
OF people into the quieter back stretch
In pursuit of their rivals.
There was a bridge, back there.
across a shallow running brook shut in
by strip Of autumn-tinted woodland.
Car aheadl" Floyd cried suddenly.
as they rushed around curve and
bore down on the crossing. Look out
Stanton"
In the center OF the bridge was a
Keeling, staggering car, coming to a
halt and striving to maintain its eoui-
lprium meanwhile. The chain had
broken loose. its driver afterward ex-
and was lashing the under
mechanism to scrap metal. Seeing too
ate to stop bis own machine. Stanton
ook the only chance OF saving any of
he four lives and tried to twist past
he other car on the narrow bridge.
only a master-driver would have at |
empted the feat; Stanton carried It
0 the verge OF success. They we're
long side. passing. when the edge of
he wooden bridge gave way under the
ouble strain. There was the rip OF
plintering planks. as the Mercury's
inside wheels crushed through the
ooring. shudderina lurch.
Jump!" Stanton shouted his vain
ommand to Floyd. as they went down
The cool water Tapped around his
myers. trickled revivingly across his
ltoierably painful arm. gurgling like
joyous voice as II passed by him
lowly. with infinite effort. Stanton
ragged himsek up upon the other
IN, the uninjured right. He must
70; that was the imperious cry of
ain and heart. to see. It seemed TO =.
m years ago that the Mercury had :
me of the bridge, yet he knew the
ne could be but moments. since the :
nbulance had not come and he was
III here
His vision was clearing. Yes. {
ere. half In the. dainty brook hair .
the green bank. lay the heap OF =
Mt and broken metal that had been
Mercury racing car. And beside = =
When he drove back the faintnass .
It blackened the bright noon. Stan =,
began to drag his pain-racksd ~
dy toward what lay beside the Mer. -
~. Movement hurt, hurt unbear- &c r
y, yet was less anguish than -
'ught For he knew. knew the -
chanician seldom escapes.
floyd lay near the machine nm
rred to outward view except for a
over his temple and stain OF blood
MS lips His mask and cap were NJ
lie. one hand was nung out. palm up-
I'd. and the torn sleeve left bare the
arm crossed by the zlgzag scar
ned at Lowell. He looked very
ng and strangely grave. as the sun CD
Il and uee-shadows nickered back TIL
forth across his colorless face and 60
aing bronze waves OF hair. mi
Floyd" Stanton articulated ho.rsa me
Floyd" an
he brook gurgled cheerfully. a be- F,
d oriole flashed past a streak OF dia
To- Stanton's head sank back TO
n against his mechanician's inert wo
d. and the world fell out OF knowl- est