Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1912-03-05
looked up as they passed, and came
cyr;nnino o. oya,, RI oivo his c1aen

looked up as they passed, and came
grinning over to give his clasp.
"Get move on; what you been do
In all day, dear child? They've been,
givin your manager sal volatile to
hold him still" He nodded at the agi-
'tated Dick in ironic commiseration.
go get out your car, Darling,
want to beat you" chaffed the next in
line.
Strike up the band, here comes a
driver" sang another, with an en-
lItrancing French accent.
| Laughing. retorting, shaking hands
with each comrade rival, Lestrange
went down the row to his own tent.
| AT his approach swarm of mechanics
from the factory stood back from the
long, low, gray car, the driver who
was to relieve him during the night
and day ordeal slipped down from the
seat and unmasked.
He's here" announced Dick super
| lf1uously. "Rupert-whereIs Rupert?
Don't tell me he's gone now! Lee
strange
But Rupert was already emerging
from the tent with Lestrange's gaunt-
lets and cap, his expression study
in the sardonic.
1T hurts me fierce to think how you
must have hurried" he observed.
| did you walk both ways, or only all
three? I'm no Eve, but I'd give a
snake an apple to know where you've
| been all day"
Would your" queried Lestrange
provokingly, clasping the goggles be-
fore his eyes. well, I've spent the
/ last two hours on the Coney Island
beach, about three squares from here,
watching the Riddles play in the sand.
didn't feel like driving just then. 1t
was mighty soothing, too"
| Rupert stared at him, dry un-
| willing smile slowly crinkling his dark
face.
Maybe, Darling" he drawled, and
turned to make his own preparations.
Fascinated and useless, Dick looked
on at the methodical furry Of the next
| few moments; until Lestrange was in
his seat and Rupert swung in beside.
| him. Then gesture summoned him
to the side of the machine.
'I'll run in again before we race,
Of course" said Lestrange to him,
above the deafening noise of the mo-
tor. "Be around here: want to see
you"
Rupert leaned out, all good-humor
once more as he pointed to the ma
/ chine.
"Got a healthy talk, what?" he ex-
ulted.
The car darted forward.
A long round of applause welcomed
Lestranges swooping advent on the
track. Handkerchiefs and scarfs were
waved; his name passed from mouth
to mouth.
Popular, amt hep" chuckled me-
chanic next to Dick. ''They don't for.
get that Georgia trick, no. sir"
1t was not many times that the
| cars could circle the track. Quarter
| Of six blew from whistles and klax-
ons, signal flags sent the cars to their
camps for the last time before the
race.
"Come here" Lestrange beckoned
to Dick, as he brought his machine
shuddering to a standstill before the
tent. Here, close-we've got mo-
ment while they fill tanks"
He unlocked his goggles and leaned
NJ -l, hn uhaoy
the face so revealed bright and quiet
In the sunset of glow.
zone never can tell what may hap
pen," he said. I'D rather tell you
now than chance your feeling after
ward that didn't treat you quite
squarely in keeping still. l hope you
( won't take 1t is my father did; we've
been good chums, you and !. l am
your cousin, David French"
The moment furnished no words.
Dick leaned against the car, absolute
ly limp.
"Of course, I'm not going back to
! Ffrenchwood. After this race shall
go to the Duplex company; I used to
1 be with them and they've wanted me
back. Your company can get along
without me. now all Is running we'll
indeed, Mr.. French has dismissed
me-" His firm lip bent little more
firmly. 1.-THE work was doing Is IN
your hands and Bailey's: see 1t
through. Unless you too want to
break of with me, we'll have more
time to talk over this"
Break OH" Dick Strengthened his