The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1912-01-19

with the fine tact of Richeiieu.
In May there was still greater &C
cession Of work at tie factory. In al
dition, the first OF June was to open
with a twenty-four hour race at Beach
track. and Lestrange was entered for
it. Excitement was in the air; Dick
came in the house only to eat and
sleep.
The day before the race, Mr..
Ffrench walked into the room where
his niece was reading,
81 want to see Bailey" he said
briefly. do you wish to drive me
Down to tie factory, Or shall l have
Anderson bring around the limou-
sine?"
"Please let us drive" she exclaimed,
rising with alacrity. 81 have not been
to the factory for months"
every good. You are looking we'll,
Emily, of late"
Surprised, a soft color swept the
face she turned to him.
81 am well. Dear, think we are all
better this spring"
Perhaps" said Ethan French. His
bitter gray eyes passed deliberately
over the large room with all its traces
of a family life extending back to pre-
Colonial times, but he said no more.
It was an exquisite morning, too vir-
ginal for June, too richly warm for
Nay Wien the two exchanged the
sunny road for the factory Office, a
north room none too fight, it was a
moment be ore their daZZled eyes per-
ceivcd no one was present. This was
Bailey's private Office, and its owner
had passed into the room beyond.
81 will wait" corceded Mr.. French.
Diminishing the boy who had ushered
them in. ''Sit down. Emily; Bailey
will return directly. no doubt
But Emily had already sat down, for
she knew the voice speaking beyond
the half-open door. and that the long
prevented meeting was now immi-
ncIt.
t'It will not do" Lestrange was stat
ing definitely. ut should be rein
forced"
"It's always been strong enough"
B2iley's slower tones objected. ''For
years. It's not a thing likely to
break"
"Not likely to break? Look at last
years record, Mr.. Bailey, and tell me
that. A broken steeling-knuckle killed
Brook in Indiana. another sent Little
to the hospital in Massachusetts, the
same thing wrecked the leader at the
last Beach race and dashed him
through the fence. Do you know what
il mea rs to the driver Of machine
hurting itself along the narrow verge
of destruction, when the steering
wheel suddenly turns useless in his
grasp? Can you feel the sick helpless
ness, the confronting Of death, the
compressed second before the crash?
Is ii worth while to risk it for bit
of costlass steel?"
Tie clear realism Of the picture
forced q pause, filed by the dull roar
and tt~cb through the machinery
crowded building.
They we're not our cars that broke,
any Of them" Bailey insisted.
"NCt or cars. no. But the steering
'.rUlEIa Of NY own machine broke m
Eer ny hands last March. on the road,
I'D if had been cn 4 curve instead
CT q str-ight stretch there would
have been a wreck. AS it was. |
brought rer TO d stop in the ditch.
There is no other thing that may not
leave 4 fighting chance after it breaks
bit this leaves absolutely none. /
know, You both know, that the steer
ing-wheel is the only weapon in the
drivers grasp. If it fails him, lie
gees out and his mechanician with
him
Emily paled, shrinking. She re-
membered tie road under the naples
and Lestrange's laughing face as. he
leaned breathless Gcross his useless
wheel. That was what it had meant,
tken, the lightly treated episode!
"Tou'd better TX it like lie wants
it," advised Dicks disturbed tones.
Remember, he's got 20 drive the car
Friday and Saturday. Bailey, not U.s."
Its net alone for my racer I'm
speaking, but for eve.y car that leaves
the shop I eatranea caught him up.
I'm not flinching; I've driven the car
before and / will again. It may hold
for ever. that part, but I've tested it
and it's a weak po;nt-take the warn
ing for what it's WORTH"
There was a movement as if he
rose with the last word. Emily laid
her hand on the arn of the chair
turning her excited dark eyes on her
uncle. Surely if ever Mr.. Ffrench was
to meet his manager, this was the mo-
ment; when Lestrange's ringing argu-
ment was still in their ears, his splen-
did force of earnestness still vibrant
in the atmosphere. And suddenly she
wanted them to meet, passionately
wanted Ethan Ffrench's liking for this
man.
Uncle" she began. "Uncle--"
But it was not Lestrange's light
step that halted on the threshold.
''Why, l didn't know" exclaimed
Bailey. Excuse me, Mr.. French,
they didn't tell me you were down."
He glanced over his shoulder; as
he pulled shut the door Emily fancied
she heard an echo, as if the two young
Zen left the next room. Bitterly dis
appointed, she sank back.
THAT was your manager with your"
Mr. French frigidly inquired.
Eyes; he went upstairs to see how
the new drill is acting" Bailey pulled
out a handkerchief and rubbed his
,brow. Excuse me, it's warm. Yes,
he wants me to strengthen a knuckle
he's spoken considerable about it.
guess he's right; better too much than
1ittla %