Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-03-07
The FLYING
MERCURY
By
Eleanor VI. Ingram
Author Of
The Game and the Candle
Illustrations By
RI Y Wal TIE RS
Illustrations By
RI Y Wal TIE r S
(Copyrlsht. 1917, by BobOs.Merriu Coz

all to confusion. And after all II was
Lestrange who was put in the sur
geon's care, while Rupert rode back
the ambulance.
Tell Emily I'll come over to her as
soon as I'm fit to look at" was the
message Lestrange gave Dick. "And
when you go back to the factory,
have your steering-knuckles strength
ened."
Dick exceeded his commission by
transmitting the speech entire; re-
peating the first part to Emily with
all affectionate solicitude, and flinging
the second cuttingly at his uncle and
Bailey.
THE doctors say he ought to be in
bed, but he won't 60" he concluded.
mo, you can't see him until they get
through patching him up at the hos
pital tent; they put every one out ex-
cept Rupert. He hasn't a scratch, aft
er having a ninety Mercury on top Of
him. You're to come over to our
camp, Emily, and wait for Lestrange.
] suppose everybody had better
come"
II was curious and an elevating
thing TO see Dickie assume command
of his family, but no one demurred
An official, recognizing in him Le-
strange's manager cleared way for
the party through the noisy press OF
departing people and automobiles.
The sunset had long faded, night
had settled over the motordrome and
the electric lamps had been lit in the
tents, before there came stir and
murmur in the Mercury camp.
Don't skid, the grounds wet" eau
toned a voice outside the door.
Steady"
Emily started up, Dick sprang to
open the canvas, and Lestrange cross
ed the threshold. Lestrange, color
less, his right arm in a sling his left
wound with linen from wrist to elbow,
and bearing a heavy purple bruise
above his temple, but with the bright
ness of victory flashing above all
WEAKNESS like dancing flame.
Sweetheart" he laughed, as
Emily ran to meet him, needless Of
al things except that he stood within
touch once more. MY dear, / told
them not to Brighten you. Why.
Emily"
For as he put his one available arm
about her, she hid her wet eyes on
his shoulder.
Il am so happy" she explained
breathlessly. 1T is only that"
you should not have been here at
all, my dear. But it is good to see
you. Who brought you? Bailey?"
catching sight of the man beside Dick.
Good, wanted some one to help me;
Rupert and have got to find hotel
and we're not very active"
Emily would have slipped away
from the clasp, scarlet with returning
recollection, but Lestrange detained
her to meet his shining eyes.
THE race is over" he reminded,
for her ears alone. "I'm going to
keep you, if you'll stay"
He turned to take a limping step
offering his hand cordially to the
speeches. Bailey, and faced for the
first time the other man present.
81 think" said Ethan French, chat
there need be no question of hotels
We have not understood each other,
but you have the right to French
woods hospitality. If you can travel,
We will go there"
mo" answered David French, as
quietly. Never You owe me moth
ing, sir. If / have worked in your
factory l took the workman's wages
for it; if I have won honors for your
car, also won the prize-money given
to the driver. | never meant so to
establish any claim upon French
wood or you. | believe we stand even
Dick has taken my place, happily;
Emily and ! will go on our own road"
They looked at each other, the like
ness between them most apparent, in
the similar determination of mood
which wiped laughter and warmth
from the younger mans face How
ever coldly phrased and dictatorially
spoken, ii was an apology which Mr.
French had offered and which had
been declined. But-he had watched
Lestrange all day. he did not lift the
gauntlet.
You are perfectly free" he con
ceded which gives you the opportun-
ity of being generous"
His son moved, flushing through
his pallor
II wish you would not put 1t that
way, sir" ne objected.
There is no other way. l have
Deen wrong and | have no control
over you; will you come homer"
There was no other argument but
that that could have succeeded, and
The three who knew Lestrange knew
tit crvi1 woe coil.
No one lunched at the French
nome that day, except the servants.
Near three O'Clock in the afternoon
Mr.. French game back to the pavilion
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