The Elbert County tribune., 1912-09-06

why didn't you light It out fherer-
asked the novice. infected by the speed
fever around him.
Forgot our Matches" Rupert flung
over his shoulder. as they dashed out
again.
An oil-smeared mechanic patroniz-
ingly explained:
You can't have cars manicuring all
over the track and people tripping
over 'em. You get sent of to light up,
and II you don't go they fine you laps
made"
Machines darted in and out from
their camps at intervals. each waking
a frenzy of excitement among its men.
AT ten o'clock the Mercury car came
in again. this time limping with fiat
tire. to be fallen on by its mechanics
Were leading. but well lose by
this said Lestrange. slipping out to
relax and meditatively contemplating
the alternate driver. who was standing
across the camp. "Ffrench. at twelve
I'll have to come in to rest some, and
turn my machine over to the other
man. And won't have him wrecking
1t for me. | want you. as owner. to
give him absolute orders to do no
speeding: let him hold a fifty-two
mile an hour average until | take the
wheel again."
"Me?"
81 cant do 1t. You. of course
You could" Dick answered. i've
been thinking how you and will run
that factory together. It's all stuff
about your going away why should
you? You and your father take me
as junior partner. you know I'm not
big enough for anything else"
You're mans size." Lestrange as
sured. hand on his shoulder But
lit won't do. I'll not forget the offer.
though. never"
"All ont" a dozen voices signaled:
men scattered in every direction as
Lestrange sprang to his place.
The hours passed on the wheels of
excitement and suspense. When Le-
strange came In again. only watch
convinced Dick that It was midnight.
You gave the order?" Lestrange
asked.
Yes"
He descended. taking of his mask
and showing face white with ia
tigue under the streaks of dust and
CRIME.
I'll be all right in half an hour"
he nodded. in answer to Dicks excla-
nation. Send one of the boys for
coffee. will you. please? Rupert needs
some. too. Here. one OF you others.
ask one of those idle doctors appren-
tices to come over with fresh band
age: my arms trifie untidy.'
In fact. his right sleeve was wet
and red, where the strain of driving
had reopened the injury of the day be-
fore. But he would not allow Dick to
speak of 1t.
I'm going to spend an hour or two
resting. Come in. Ffrench. and we'll
chat in the intervals. II you like"
And Rupert? Where's he?" Dick
wondered. peering into the dark with
vague impression of lurking dangers
on every side.
Hes hurried In out OF the night
air." reassured familiar accents;
small figure lounged across into the
light, making vigorous use of drip
ping towel. Tell Darling | feel faint
and I'm going over to that grand-stand
cafe a la car to get some pie. I'll be
back in time to read over my last
lesson from the chauffeur's corre-
spondence school. oh. see what's
here!"
A telegraph messenger boy had
come up to Dick.
Richard Ffrench?" he verified.
Sign. please"
The message was from New York.
"All coming down." Dick read. Lin
CUISINE making delay. Wire me at st.
Royal OF race Bailey"
Far from pleased. young French
hurriedly wrote the desired answer
he thrust the yellow envelope into
his pocket before turning to the tent
where Lestrange was drinking cheap
black coffee while an impatient young
surgeon hovered near.
The hours rest was characteristical-
ly spent. Washed. bandaged. and re-
freshed. Lestrange dropped on a cot
in the back of the tent and pushed
roll of motor garments beneath his
head for pillow. There he intermit-
tently spoke to his companion OF what
ever the moment suggested; listening
to every sound of the race and inter
spersing- acute comment, starting up
whenever the voice of his own ma
chine limited that the driver was dis
obeying instructions or the shrill klax-
on gave warning of trouble But
through it all Dick gathered much of
the family story.
(TO BE CONTINUEDj