Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-07-25
CHAPTER Viii.
fused him
Team-M ated.


Floyd returned Stantons call after |
a fashion of his own, some days later. |
There's a gentleman downstairs to
see you, sir" the bell-boy brought in
formation to the latter, one afternoon.
He won't come up because he says he
can't leave his automobile, but he'd be
glad IL you'd come down, sir"
Stanton looked at the card presented, |
and rose with alacrity.
His mechanician was in the hall,
gazing across the wide windows at a
low-swung, long-bonneted, dull-gray
motorcar that stood by the curbstone
car stripped as bare of every super
iuous belongings as a pugilist enter
ing the ring At the hiss of the de-
scending elevator he turned to meet
Stanton with his smile of sun-shot
cordially.
81 was afraid to let your machine
out Of my sight" he exclaimed. "She
is going on to Indiana, tonight and
the chief wanted you to see her first.
There wasn't time to get you out to the
factory after fixing her steering bust
ness the way you wanted, so they sent
her down for you to look over. The
chief sent word for you to try her out
anywhere you liked and he would pay
the cost If you got in trouble, but to
get her shipped west tonight unless
she had to go back to the factory, for
there were rumors of a strike among
the train men and We might not be
able to get her through in time for the
race"
"Who drove her down here?" Stan
ton demanded, casting jealous
glance out the window, but accepting
the facts more amiably than could
have been expected.
"The chief, until he left me at the
avenue corner, just now. He said
never mind"
ooh go ahead"
"Well, he said he had been a racing
driver himself and knew how you
would feel about having your car
yanked. thirty miles across country
roads by another driver; and, er-that
he guessed that he was the only man
in the shops who'd care to tell you he
had done it."
'Tll get some driving things" sug-
sested Stanton, and went back to the
elevator.
When he Joined Floyd beside the big
car, he stood for a moment busted with
the clasp Of his gauntlet, before at
tempting to start.
Miss Floyd told you Of my call. the
other day2" he queried.
"Yes, of course. I was sorry to be
away; / had never thought Of your
hunting me up"
you did not object to my taking her
out9 There was no way Of asking YOU"
This from the self-willed Stanton!
F1oyd's eyes glinted with an apprecia-
ton at once humorous and touched.
"Object9 Why? You could take
care of her." he countered.
Elk the spark" babe Stanton, and
went front to crank his motor
We'll not get half block without
drawing every mounted policeman for
ten miles," Floyd called, above the
roar of the exhausts. I'VE ought to
have made ready by putting on few
dozen mufflers."
what time must she be shipped?"
I'VE must have her at the Mercury
office by six o'clock, unless you say she
has to go back to the factory"
ct Is after four, now No time to
try the Long Island course, and there
Is motorcycle race on the Beach
track. Get into your seat; we'll take
PeIham Parkway"
Pelham Parkway! Why"
"Have you anything better to pro-
poser"
TITS q first offense." Floyd resigned
himself "They can't do worse than
fine you"
Stanton shrugged his shoulders, and
the car rolled forward.
The Mercury glided through the
teeming, congested streets, and left
faultless record behind her. Not
trafic officers slightest signal was dis
regarded, no speed regulations were
materially fractured Stanton drove
ike a law-abiding chauffeur from the
suburbs, and until they were In the
park.