Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1912-09-19
CHAPTER III.
Tho Finish, and After.


Morning arched its golden hours
Across the still speeding cars, and
melted slowly into noon. The weary
drivers had settled to steady endur-
ance gaits, saving their energy and
their machines for the more spectac-
ular 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
in advance of the other competitors.
At six In the morning Stanton had
gore In for a brief rest. At eight he
was back. and kept the wheel until
ono in the afternoon. Victory was In
hic hands II nothing happened to his
car; an hour and a 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
merciless to his m~echanician and him.
self. But Floyd made no complaint.
At half-past one. all the cars were
sent to their camps while an hour
was spent In having the track hur-
redly mended by gangs of workmen.
The road-bed In places vas furrowed
like a plowed field by the flying
wheels. Meanwhile the afternoon
crowds flowed in, filling the stands to
suffocation, massing on the prone
made. banking in a solid row Of pri-
vate automobiles behind the screen
When at half-past two the racers
we're 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
unkindly. IF you don't think you can
stand sever hours of 1t. say SO; and
I'll have them find some one to re-
lieve you. They can rush Rupert here
from up the Hudson by four or five
o'clock. II you get in for 1t, you'll
finish, II l have to tie you In your seat.
I'm driving to win"
The scarlet of resentment flushed
through Floyd's grime-streaked pallor.
you won't have to tie me-" he
promised, white teeth catching his lip.
"IIl not finch. Go on"
Stanton actually laughed. bending
to his levers.
81 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 filed in with
wet mud from the infeld-on the first
circuit the heavy Lozelle car skidded
and went through the fence at the
north turn. After that. nothing coult
have induced Stanton to allow biz
machine In other hands.
Hour after hour passed. The noisy
music Of the band crashed out mon
%otonously; the crowd swayed, muir
muring, ~applauding, exclaiming, argus
eyed and Kaleidoscope in color ant
motion.
At sunset, when the Mercury mad
q trip into camp for supplies, neithe
OF It's men left their seats. The beam
ing Mr.. Green came to shower cor
gratulations upon Stanton, and witt
him the head Of the Mercury Com
pany, himself a former driver who's
quiet appreciation had an expert
value. Stanton was leaning across tn
wheel, chatting with them, when hi
employer broke the thread of speech
What is the matter with you
m~echanician, Stanton?" he queried.
Stanton turned, suddenly consciou
OF a light weight against his shoulder
With his movement, Floyd also star
ed erect, their chances crossing.
Nothing" the driver briefly al
swered to the others question. "Tiret
perhaps; he has been working. A
you we're saying"
But the glimpsed picture stage
with Stanton; the fatigued young fac
against his arm, the drowsy, heav,
lidded eyes flashing keenly awak,
the involuntary expression of angr
shame at the moments weakness
And he would one have tied Floy
in his seat, after that, than have adde
the fine insult Of offering to reliev
him.
Ready" some n called; the worl