The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1912-07-26

Stanton to seek out his machine al
his mechanician. Some drivers grow
sentimentally attached to their cars
watching them fondly and jealousy;
he did not, consistently and tempera
mentally practical In outlook on the
minor facts OF life.
1t was In the railroad depot, the
morning he started for Massac husetts
that Stanton saw his mechanician fol
the first time since the Beach victory
Floyd was seated on one of the wait
ing-room benches, reading a magazine
In his gray suit and long overcoat, his
head with its clustering bronze curls
bent over his book, he looked like q
particularly delicate and pretty boy
OF eighteen, perhaps even a trife ef'
Terminate. Remembering that cry
from the midst Of the perilous strug.
gle with the Duplex: "Cut him closer;
he's weakening! Cut him closet"
Stanton's lip curved in amused appre.
citation as he crossed to the absorbed
reader.
Good morning." he remarked.
Floyd glanced up, then rose with
an exclamation and held out his hand,
his ready color rising like a girls I'M
der his fine, clear skin.
Good morning; didn't sec you
coming" he responded.
mo. you were reading. You are go
ing"
ITO Lowell. The car is aboard. you
know"
II did not know," corrected STAN
ton with Indifference. He was study
ing the other curiously, striving to
analyze his singular attractiveness
and to find the reason why he, Stan
ton, should feel pleasure at the pros
pect Of having this companion at his
side; he, who had never formed friend
ships as most men did.
Floyd laughed, his grey eyes mis-
chievous.
well, I know. We've been working
all the week at the machine, and we've
got her ticking like a watch. You
don't bother about that suppose you
don't have to. it's up to us. But II
you will take her out on the track to-
morrow, I'll tune her up to the last
notch"
Suddenly Stanton put his finger on
the thing he sought, one thing that
made this mechanician different; and
voiced his thought before considering
wisdom.
you're a different class, Floyd" he
stated abruptly. You're no workman,
nor descendant of workmen."
Floyd stared, startled at the brusk
irrelevance, then melted into a
straight, direct smile as he met the
keen gaze.
Neither are you," he countered.
Nor it wouldn't be of any importance
II We were, but We are not. I'm not
asking you why you are working with
your hands instead of your head. and
/ suppose you are not asking me. Who
cares?"
mo one." dryly agreed Stanton.
But / can tell you that am doing
this to make money, and make 1t
quick. and would much prefer break
ing my neck to living In the ruck of
poverty. They are calling our train;
you had better come"
I'm supposed to keep in touch
with Mr.. Green" Floyd observed,
gathering up his magazine with cheer
full nonchalance. "He is worrying
about me most of the time, for fear
I'll loSe.fny nerve and desert"
Which was not precisely what was
worrying the assistant manager Of the
Mercury company, and perhaps STAN
ton Of the rough temper knew It.
II fancy your nerve will hold out,
IL your patience does" was his reply.
Patience Is supposed to be wom-
ans art" doubted Floyd. "But I'll
try to acquire It,"
Stanton laughed briefly.
81 wouldn't give much for your
chance Of success, in that case. II I
ever find a woman who will ride with
me as you do, will-marry her"
ooh. no, you will not" contradicted
the other, searching his pockets for
a missing glove. You will marry a
Fluffy Ruffies who will faint IL you
exceed the eight-mile-an-hour speed
limit. And then you will quit racing
and be spoiled for the Mercury Com
pany, and all its rival manufacturers
will chant for joy: "A young man mar
ried Is young man married."
1t was so long since any one had
cared to talk nonsense to Stanton,
not to mention airily teasing him, that
he. caught his breath in sheer aston
ishment. And then tingling, hui
man warmth and sense OF comrade-
ship succeeded. 1t was as II he had
been living in lonely, silent room,
when Unexpectedly some one opened
the door and entered.
I'm too busy" he retorted only, but
his tone conveyed no rebuke.
They walked on down the room and
out into the train shed. They were
almost at the train itself, when Floyd
stopped.
Some one is calling you," he signi-
fed.
Stanton turned, and found a pant
ing. black-gowned young woman be-
hind him.
INV mistress bade ma ask you to