The Marshall republican., 1912-06-07
CHAPTER ..
mo Mar Who Dared.

Arm fall and leaned forward. peering
across the blended glare and darkness.
"whatT" he shouted, above the pull
sating roar OF the eleven racing ma
chimes lined up before the judges
stand. "whatf"
There was q furry around the GEN.
trail car, whose driver leaned from his
seat to stare down al the man who
had slipped from beside him TO the
ground. The great crowd congesting
the grsnd-stand pressed closer to the
barrier. staring also. commenting and
co~njecturing.
The mechsnician Of the Mercury IL
on his cart"
Tainted"
Fell"
THE automobiles hadn't started; he
must be sick"
The referee was already pushing his
way back, bringing the report from
the hastily summoned surgeon
Heart disease" he announced right
and left. "Stanton's mechanician Just
dropped on his seat, dead.
But Stanton himself had already
swung out Of his car, with the ener-
setic decision that marked his every
movement.
MY man Ia out" he terscly stated
10 the starter. "I'vc got 10 run over
to my camp and get another. VIII
you hold the start for met"
The question was rather n demand
thAR . rAasAas nrl-.z ---.--l.
one among the vast audience who
would not have felt the sparkle gone
from this strong black wine OF sport
they had come to sip. II Ralph Stanton
had been withdrawn from the twenty.
four-hour contest. He had not only
fame as a skilful and scientific racer;
he had the reputation Of being the
most spectaculariy reckless driver in
America. whose death could be but a
question of time and whose record Of
accidents and victories verged on the
appalling. He knew HIS value M an
attraction. and the starter knew II,
although preserving impassivity.
Five minutes" the Official con.
ceded. and drew out his watch.
Already a stream OF men were run.
ming toward the Mercury camp with
the news. Stanton sprang into his
machine. deftly sent II forward out OF
the line. and shot around into the en-
trance TO the huge oval field edged by
the Beach truck; a mile Of white rib
bon bordering a green medallion.
The row Of electnc-lighted tents,
Zach numbered and named for Its own
racing car. wal In a turmoil OF excite
ment. But most agitsted was the
group before the tent marked %.
Mercury"
"Durand's down and out-give me
another man." called Stanton, hating
his noisy. flaming car. Quick. you"
But NO . stepped forward from
The cluster Of factory men and me-
chanics. Only the assistant manager
ef the Mercury compsay responded
70 the demand:
yes. 90; one Of you boys. IN make
Il right with you. You. Jones'"
I'm married. STR" refused Jones
succiutiy."
well you then. wsltsrs. Good
heavens. mani what do you meant"
For the buTly Walters backed away.
actually PAX.
I'll dig potatoes, nvst, SIR
why. you used TO raosf"
mot with Stanton. sir"
There was 4 low murmur Of appro-
val among his mates. and . drawing
together for support. Stanton stepped
down from his Car. snatching on his
mask to show Q dark, strong face
grim with anger and contempt.
you wretched. backboneless cow
ardsi" he hurled at them. his blue
black eyes flashing over the group.
DO you know what I and the com
pany stand to lose II I'm disqualified
for lack Of N Of you tellynsh to ait
beside me and pump oilf Isn't there
amsn In the campf I'll give nifty dol,
lars myself to the one who goes. q
hundred r. ! WIN"
'T1l promise twice that" eagerly
supplemented Green. the assistant
manager. He had private bets on
Stanton.
Not one Of the clustered workmer
moved.
Damn you'll" pronounced the driver
bitterly and comprehensively. TN re
peat that offer TO the mai who viii
Z o for the FIRST three houra only, and
meanwhile wen send TO New Yorl
and ind q red-blooded male"
The men looked 1t one another. buI
ahook THAR heada.