The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-04-14
CHAPTER IT,
The Risk and the Lady.

Two hours later, Stanton emerged
from his camp and strolled toward
the paddock exit. II was after two
O'Clock in the morning: the dark arch
Of star-set sky overhead, the black
emptiness of the central field except
for the line OF tents contrasted odd
lily with the giisteniny white track
where the meteor bright cars eircied
tjrelessiy III the accompanying mono
tone OF many voices, varied by the &C.
casfonal wall of the official kiaxon.
One machine was out of the race, at
ter going through the fence; a heap of
disordered metal which men were
striving frantieally to restore TO ac-
tivity. while in he Illuminated hospital
tent its driver and mechanician were
undergoing a kindred process Of re-
habiiitation. Other ears went In and
nut from their camps. for oil. for
gasolene, for tires and minor repairs
for all the countless wants Of rae
ing machine. stanton looked for the
Mercury. then. satisfied crossed the
track and entered the space before
the g~andsta nd.
Along the edge of the cement prom
enade were parked a row OF automo-
biles whose owners preferred to wit
ness Of race from their own cars
rather than firm the tiers OF seats
behind. Past them Stanton turned.
avoiding the fire OF attention and Gu
riosity he would drw by crossing
the lighted space where recognition
must follow. He was going to tho
restaurant In the Interior OF the stand.
Hut az he passed a big white tour
ing car at the end Of the row. q wo-
man leaned from the shadow Of the
top.
II beg your pardon" she summon-
ed, her tone composed ana rather in-
perious.
The apology yelled command. STAN
ton halted.
'Afadam?" he responded, aston
iahed and scarcely pleased.
She deliberately stepped down be-
si<2n him. accompanied by the crisp
snsnsa Of shaken silk and "a drift OF
faint rich fragrance. She wore q
dark motor-veil. and in the mingling
of dense shadows and glazing lights
II was not possible to distinguish more
than her general effect Of youth apd
well-poised grace.
II fanced by your costume that you
were one ofthe racers" she explained.
And - only arrived an hour ago.
I wished to beg some information. :"
corroborated.
s, she turned 10 glance ii the ears
rushing by, struggling for the lead.
whether Ralph stanton is now driving
the Mercury.
NO." he answered. interested for
the arst time. .But he will take the
wheel again In half an hour"
All? I have heard 50 much Of his
=ee@Aaeulss teats. T. sbe, gave q care
less. ripping laugh. Il confess
should like to see some OF them"
Yea? Well. half the people hero
como 10 see whether some OF tho men
won't take 4 chance once too often.
They say there II pleasant thrill In
watching some one else get killed"
Hardly that" she demurred. "Still.
II one comes to an automobile race.
one wants to vse something more en-.
citing than drive in tho park; some
thing more exciting than--that." She
waved a fragile hand toward the
track. shrugging her shoulders with
airy amusement and scorn.
Stanton surveyed the, scene. the
darkness hiding HIS expression.
ssThe Mercury Ii marking time with
substitute driver. tho Duplex Il of
with 4 choked fsed-pipe, and the
Stern went through the fence" he
summed up. 1.-THE others are driving
to win by endurance, playing for ac-,
cidents to the faster cars. II II dun
period. just now. Yet every car there
b aoing fast enough TO face destruc-
.fioA Il anything goes WRONG"
she turned 10 him again. and he
knew her 6ase swept him fnterroga-
tive1y. searchingly. But his close-fit-
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