Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-02-22
CHAPTER vi.

Emily first heard the full story Of
the accident that evening when Dick
sat opposite her on the veranda and
gave the account in frank anxiety and
detection.
We're going down tonight on the
nine O'Clock train" he added in con-
clusion. Tomorrow morning he'll
spend practicing on the track, and to-
morrow evening at 6 the race starts.
And Lestrange starts crippled be-
cause | am a clumsy idiot. He laughs
at me, but-he'd do that anyhow"
Eyes" agreed Emily. He would do
that anyhow" Her eyes were wide
and terrified, the little hands she
clasped in her lap were quite cold. 81
wish, l wish he had never come to
this place"
ooh, you do?" Dick said oddly.
Maybe he will, too, before he gets
through with us. We're a nasty lot,
we Trenches; a lot of blue-blooded
snobs without any red blood in us.
Are you going to say goodby to me?
/ won't be home until it's over"
She looked at him, across the odor-
Gus dusk slowly silvering as the moon
rose.
you are going to be with him."
Dick smoothed his leggings before
standing up, surveying his strict mo-
tor costume with a gloomy pride not
to be concealed.
yes; I'm representing our COM
pany. Lestrange might want some
backing IL any disputes turned up.
Uncle Ethan nearly had a fit when
Bailey told him what I was going to
do; he called me Richard for the first
time in my life. l guess I'll be some
good yet, If every one except Le-
strange did think I was a chump."
II am very sure you WILL" she an
swered gently. "Good-by, Dick; you
look very NICE"
When he reached the foot of the
steps, her voice recalled him, as she
stood leaning over the rail.
Dick, you could not make him give
1t up, not race this timer"
He stared up at her white figure.
mo, could not. Don't you sup
pose I tried?"
Il suppose you did," she admitted,
and went back to her seat.
The June night was very quiet
Once a sleepy bird stirred in the
honeysuckle vines and chirped
through the dark. Far below the
throb Of motor passed down the
road, dying away again to leave ST.
lence. Suddenly Emily Ffrench hid
her face on the arm Of her chair and
the tears overlooked.
There was no consciousness Of time
while that inarticulate passion of
dread spent itself. But It was nearly
half an hour later when she started
up at the echo of light step on the
gravel path, dashing her handkerchief
across her eyes.
1t was incredible, but 1t was true:
Lestrange himself was standing be-
fore her at the foot Of the low stairs,
the moonlight glinting across his un-
covered bronze head and bright, clear
face.
81 beg pardon for trespass, Miss
French" he said, but your cousin
tells me he has been saying a great
deal Of nonsense to you about this
race, and that you were so very good
as to feel some concern regarding it.
Really, had to run up and set that
right; couldn't leave you to be an.
noyed by Mr.. Ffrench's nerves. Will
you forgive me?"
Like sun through a mist his blithe
voice cleaved through her distress.
Before the tranquil sanity of his re-
gard, her painted terrors suddenly
showed as the artificial canvas scenes
of a stage, unreal, untrue.
at was like you to come" she an
swered. with a shaking sigh that was
half sob. 81 was frightened, yes"
There is no cause. A dozen other
men take the same chance as Rupert
and i; the driver who alternates with
me, for instance. This is our life"
Your arm"
'Is we'll enough" He laughed lit
tie. you will see many a bandaged
arm before the twenty-four hours are
up; few of us finish without scratch
or strain or blister This is a mans
game, but it's not half so destructive