Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-08-01


at . glass-sst door marked ofllcs, he
stopped short and laid his hand upon
the wall as II to steady himself.
60 away. for moment" he ~
quest, his voice catching. "I'li come
after you. I haven't been here sinos
my father"
Stanton swung on his heel and went
out; out to look at the mile track.
where Edgar Floyd used to practices
racing with little Jes tied In the car
beside him, and where later tho older
Jes played mechanician to his fathers
driving. And standing there under
the dull October sky, Stanton thought
OF many things.
When Floyd came after him, half an
hour later, Stanton turned from his
position against the track railing
Floyd, what do you figure Is going
to become of your sister," he abrupt
ly demanded.
Floyd stopped. gazing at the other
with parted lips and startled gray
eyes. A strong wind was blowing off
Lake Erie tossing his bronse hair
and wrapping his long coat about him.
my sister," he repeated. "Why?"
"She is woman, she must have
some life of her own. You can't keep
her like a nun until she finds herself
grown old without chance at living"
Floyd continued to gaze at him, say
ing nothing; that half-hour in the Of
foe had left him almost wan IN the
gray afternoon light.
"You know me, Jes Floyd, II any
one does. You know my vile temper,
my rough tongue, and that / am
cross-grained brute at best. But
think there may be enough Of the in
herent gentleman left In me to make
me decent to a woman. II, In time
things fell out 80 that I'd asked you for
your sister, would you be willing?
Speak frankly, II you do not think me
fit to be trusted with her, say SGT
will not break our friendship"
"You have seen her once" Floyd re-
called, as II to himself He lisped, his
sTest sign of excitement. Stanton
had never heard him use that soft,
shrring speech except on the race
tracks heard now in the quiet coun-
try surroundings, It infected the listen
er with a contagious agitation and
emotion.
81 know, I know" he deprecated.
"But, I might see her more and see
ing no better men she might come to
bear with me. Not that there is much
in me worth it-she probably never
would look at me. What am asking
you, now, Is whether you want me to
keep away from her. Say yes, and
we will shake hands and drop the sub
ject for ever"
Very slowly Floyd held out his slen-
der hand.
"Jessica has the right to a chance"
he agreed. I'm not goin' to NEEDLE
with things beyond my understandin'.
An I'd rather have her your wife than
have anything else in the world. Only
you've seen her Just once-you can't
tell II you want her, yet"
Stanton shot him one straight, ex-
pressive glance.
"She Ia like you," slipped from him
involuntarily; then, furious at his be-
trayal of sentiment, he dropped the
others hand. I'VE had better go, or
wen miss the train" he bruskly re-
minded.
ooh, she is like me-" confirmed
Floyd; he turned to look again at the
factory. I'VE are pretty close chums-
Yes, you an I had better be gettin' to
the train"
They walked back to the nearest
trolley line, both silent.
The subject was not touched again,
until tho following morning, when they
left tho train in New York.
When shall I see your" Stanton
questioned, as they exchanged fare
wells in the noisy depot. "To-mor-
row."
'T'm going to be out OF town for the
next TWO weeks, Mr.. Green tells ma
Floyd replied. They want me at the
Mercury factory. and there are Some
other trips, too, believe. Jessica In
going TO be rather deserted; II you
happen to look her up, no doubt she
would be glad to speak to some one
besides her nurse"
carelsssly. Take care of yourself"
He had not reached the exit when
Floyd overlook him.
Here are the entries for the Cup
race" he painted, thrusting a folded
into Stanton's hand. There
are two Atalanta cars to run against
us. It's you who need to take care
of yourself, until afterward."
Floyd, wait! What do you mean?
Do you really think"
But his mechanician evaded tho
question.
Some people are hoodoos," he
laughed. Keep away from them,
please. Good-by."
He had not spoken Valerie Carlisle's
name, yet Stanton knew against whom
he warned. And the melodramatic
absurdity of the idea did not prevent
@ o.