The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1912-07-26
CHAPTER III.
Tho Finish, and After.

mOIuiuS dTCuto us, BOlueu hours
across the still speeding cars, and
melted slowly into noon. The weary
}drivers had settled to steady endur-
lance gaits, saving their energy and
their machines for the more spectac-
Iular work Of afternoon and evening.
at nine o'clock that night the race
would end.
The Mercury car had registered
NINETY miles more than the Duplex,
both Of them being many tens of miles
advance Of the other competitors.
at six in the morning Stanton had
lgone in for a brief rest. At eight he
was back, and kept the wheel until
one in the afternoon. Victory was in
his hands If nothing happened to his
1oar; an hour and q half lost in re-
pairs would transfer all his advantage
TO the Duplex. He was jealousy
AFRAID to intrust his machine to his
assistant driver, and consequently
Mnerciless to his mechanician and him.
Self. But Floyd made no complaint.
At haff.paSt one, all the cars were
vent to their camps while an hour
was spent in having the track hur-
tr1ediy mended by gangs Of workmen.
The road-bed in places was furrowed
IKE a plowed field by the flying
wheels. Meanwhile the afternoon
crowds flowed in, filling the stands to
tsuffocation, massing on the prone
made, banking in solid row Of pri-
fvate automobiles behind the screen.
| When at half-past two the racers
were recalled to start anew. Stanton
SHARPLY scrutinized his mechanician
before leaving the camp.
I'm going to keep this car until the
end Of the race" he announced, not
lunkindly. "If you don't think you can
stand seven hours Of 1t. say sol and
Ill have them find some one to re-
lieve you. They can rush Rupert here
ifrom up the Hudson by four or five
O'Clock. II you get in for It, you'll
Ihnish. If have to tie you in your seat.
Pm driving to win"
The scarlet Of resentment flushed
Through Floyds grime-streaked pslior.
'You won't have to tie me-" he
promised. white teeth catching his lip.
l'I1l not finch. Go on"
Stanton actually laughed, bending
ITO his levers.
y didn't mean TO tie you to keep
you from running away, but to keep
you from fainting and falling out" he
Explained. But"
The car bounded forward.
The track had been filled in with
wet mud from the infield-on the first
circuit the heavy Lozelle car skidded
and went through the fence at the
north turn. After that, nothing could
have induced Stanton to allow his
machine in other hands.
Hour after hour passed. The noisy
music of the band crashed out mon
enormously; the crowd swayed, muir
1muring, applauding, enchanting, argus
eyed and Kaleidoscope in color aud
motion.
! At sunset, when the Mercury made
"a trip into camp for supplies, neither
OF It's men left their seats. The beam
ing Mr.. Green came to shower con-
ORGANIZATIONS upon Stanton, and with
him the head Of the Mercury Com
pany, himself former driver whose
quiet appreciation had an experts
value. Stanton was leaning across the
wheel, chatting with them, when his
employer broke the thread Of speech.
What is the matter with your
4mechanician, Stanton?" he queried.
Stanton turned, suddenly conscious
OF light weight against his shoulder.
With his movement, Floyd also start
led erect, their glances crossing.
Nothing" the driver briefly an.
swered to the others question. Tired,
perhaps; he has been working. As
you were saying"
But the glimpsed picture stayed
with Stanton; the fatigued young face
against his arm, the drowsy, heavy
iidded eyes flashing keenly awake,
the involuntary expression Of angry
shame at the moments weakness.
And he would sooner have tied Floyd
lip his seat, after that, than have added
the fine insult of Offering to relieve
him.
Ready" some one called; the work.
men scattered in every direction, and
the Mercury was of once more.
Scar COMM" warned the mechani.
clan, as they shot from the paddock
entrance on to the track. Duplex
ahead."
Floyd was himself again, watchfully
businesslike, nonchalantly fearless.
Color and glow faded from the sky;
once more the search-lights flared out
around the track and transformed It
to q silver ribbon, running between
walls Of ebony darkness except where
the lamp-gemmed stands arose. AL.
ready newspapers weye being cried
announcing Stanton's coming victory.
Driving evenly. steadily, refusing
all challenges to speed duels and at.
tempting none Of his deadly tactics of
the night before, Stanton piloted his
car to the inevitable result. At nine
o'clock the flag dropped. and amid a
hubbub of enthusiasm the Mercury
crossed the line, winner.