Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-07-04

mucn. But L aln uStdlHluB you, anu
you were leaving! Every thanks for
your patience"
Hardly leaving, since the twenty
four hour race is not six hours old"
he corrected briefly. 81 am glad to
have been of any use to you"
She returned his salute; then. upon
the cool impulse of one accustomed to
doing as she chose, put her question
directly:
All am Miss Carlisle; ] would
like to know who has been good
enough to aid me in my ignorance"
my name is Stanton" he complied,
and went on.
looked back. She had taken step
forward into the light and her veil
had slipped aside as she gazed after
him with an expression Of acute and
eager interest. She could not have
been older than twenty-four or five,
with finely cut, beautiful face
framed in waves of fair hair.
Floyd was sitting on a camp-stool
outside the tent, chatting with a
group Of men, when Stanton returned,
The rest had brought back the mech
anician's color and animation; in fact,
he looked ridiculously young and ir-
responsible. But he sprang up read
lily at the drivers nod.
Timer" he asked, his gray eyes
like FURNISHED steel.
EYES," Stanton confirmed. And to
the nearest man: Bring in the car
There was an obedient commouon.
Several men ran to flag the other
driver; Floyd caught up goggles and
cap, and knelt to tighten a logging
strap. AS Stanton made his own prep
arations, Mr.. Green hustled Mp to him.
"We're leading" he reminded SUI
perfluously. There isn't, really, any
need for extra fast work, Stanton"
Stanton snapped buckle, saying
nothing.
at telephoned to the Office and told
Rupert he needn't come. I told him
that you had a new man."
"Well?"
"He said, Poor NUT"
The driver Strengthened to his full
height, his firm dark face locking to
bronze inflexibility.
"You had better report his sympa-
thy to Floyd, whom it's meant for" he
advised hardly. I'm not interested
If the company doesn't like the way l
drive, let them get some one in my
place; but while l do drive the car, l
drive, and not Rupert or Floyd, Or
any one else. I'll neither take risks
nor shirk them to order"
The assistant manager choxed,
speeches.. He had no way Of know
ing why Stanton flashed a suilen
glance toward the row Of automobiles
before the grand-stand, or who was
meant by that ANY one else" Mean
while, he was intractable, he was in.
subordinate, and he was obstinate
but he was Stanton.
The Mercury rolled In, the two men
climbed from their seats, and there
was a momentary delay for tank fill
ing. Stanton took his place. expert
mentally speeding and retarding his
motor while he waited for the work
men to finish.
"Stop a minute while l fix the car
buretor," requested Floyd, from be.
side the machine. "Its colder late
at night like this. Wait, you've
dropped your glove"
Stanton silenced the engine. Some
thing in the fresh voice, the boyish
grace of the slight figure, the ready
courtesy of the act, stirred him with a
strange sensation and pricking shame
at his own brutality. Poor NUT" a
whisper repeated to his inner ear.
When Floyd offered the gauntlet, the
other dropped a hand upon his shout.
der.
Are you riding with me because
you want the money badly enough to
chance anything" Stanton demanded
harshly, cor because you are willing
to trust my driving?"
Taken by surprise, open astonish'
ment crossed the younger mans face,
but his eyes did not finch from the
ones behind the goggles.
II think you're the best driver on
the track" came the steady answer
"And I'd rather trust myself to your
recklessness than to some one else's
mistakes, If you want to know.
guess you can steer straight enough
for both of us"
Stanton's hand relaxed it's hold.
go fix your carburetor. Yes, can
steer-straight."
Again the blue-black eyes flashed
sneering defiance toward the grand
stand; for the moment, Miss Car
isles hope Of witnessing desperate
feats by the Mercury car seemed far
from realization.
But the Mercury had not circled the
mile oval four times when the Duplex
it's choked feed-pipe cleared at last
~