The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1912-08-02
CHAPTER v.
Tuning Up.

Floyd was sitting on a railing In
front of the repair pits, when Stanton
came out to the course next morning,
engaged in chatting airily with cou-
pie of jovial drivers from rival cars.
He was laughing, and so were the two
men. Clad in correct racing costume,
this time, instead Of the impromptu
blend of the former occasion, his
bright head tilted back, his gray eyes
mirthful. Floyd vaguely suggested a
certain charming actress and a very
practical Peter Pan who refused to
grow up.
= Stanton paused In the shadow to
survey the group. So Floyd knew the
other men, and was liked by them ?
He had not been aware Of that; he
had supposed his mechanician to be as
t6hsociaf and Understanding as him.
ELF. Amid the mingling sounds OF
Ears testing and starting out on prac-
dee runs, Of busy workmen and me-
Shanics, no could hear little Of what
vas said; but the bursts Of laughter
name to him, and as a climax he saw
6eorge of the Duplex lean forward
and slap Floyd caressingly on the
Rhoulder.
'T1l come to your funeral, sweet
child" the big, good-humored driver
chaffed, by way Of adieu, his bolster
GUS tones carrying above the complex
din. You're too awfully dear to
stay in this hard life"
Floyd's reply was inaudible, but he
waited the other hooking salute,
and there was shout Of merriment.
Something fire-hot pierced Stanton;
for the first time in his life he felt
the stab of jealousy. Jealousy, not Of
the exquisite Valerie Carlisle, not Of
some fellow-driver's fame, but Of his
hired mechanician.
The group, already breaking up,
drew apart at Stantons approach,
podding greeting to him. But, beyond
returning the salutes, he disregarded
all except Floyd, opposite whom he
stopped.
"You seem to have nothing to do;
is the machine ready!" he flung. with
his ugliest intonation.
Floyd slipped OF the railing and
stood up, his expression Pickering in
momentary surprise.
GAIL ready" he answered, quietly
businesslike under the undeserved re-
Duke.
Get 1t out, then"
The other men glanced significantly
at one another.
Good luck, Floyd" wished a slim
Italian driver, whose reputation
equaled Stanton's own, as he turned
away.
The Mercury car was out already.
One of the factory men cranked it,
after Stanton took his seat. Floyd was
moving to take the place beside, when
his eyes fell on the drivers bandaged
wrist.
whats up?" Stanton demanded, at
the exclamation.
"You have hurt your arm?"
Slightly. / cranked an Atalanta
Six yesterday with my spark ad-
wanced."
The mechanician stopped with one
foot on the car, looking at him.
81 set my spark forward and went
around in front and cranked up and
wrenched my ARM" Stanton explicitly
repeated.
Floyd regarded him blankly, then
slowly dissolved into a smile of hui
morous comprehension and stepped
into the car.
ct had no right to ask, of course"
he agreed. 81 beg your pardon.
Curious people should expect to hear
nonsense"
Floyd believed himself put off with
an obvious tale, as one reproves
too-importunate child, so impossible
he considered such carelessness. And
Stanton wholly conceded with his
judgment. Only, the fact remained.
The little episode had relieved the
atmosphere, however, and restored
naturalness Of speech. They shot down
the course, in the sweet country air,
and the days work had commenced.
Then Stanton had his first exhibition
of what Floyd called tuning up his
motor.
Got her all the way up?" shouted
the mechanician, when they let out on
the first straight stretch.
Stanton nodded, fully occupied; the
speedometer was indicating eighty
four miles an hour.
stop her-she needs fixing"
1t was Floyd's hour Of empire. Stan
ton brought his car to halt in an APP
propriate situation, and the rnechani-
clan sprang out to investigate the un-
hooded power-plant.
Now wen try. She is good for
NINETY an hour" he painted. returning.
! Stanton accordingly restarted.
They spent the morning SO; speed
dng furiously. stopping for Floyd to
fuss with one thing or another, watch
ing the speedometer. Floyd listened
to the engine as to a speaking voice.
translating its plant unerringly and
going to remedy the cause. AS the as
Isistant manager had said. he was a
lgasolene freak, a clairvoyant magician
tOf delicate touches and manipulation.
AZ fua1va o,cIock tho Mercurv cama