Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1913-03-07
CHAPTER V. (contlnued.)

SE1NT ] W NSOiltihNSN'J
Stanton gasped. Where had his
memory been, not to recall the name
of Floyd? A multitude of confused
recollections rushed across his mind.
Of that famous manufacturer and
racer for sheer love of the sport. OF
the superb cars he had built, and OF
his death in a railroad wreck. the
previous year.
He tied me in his car" continued
Floyd, with q shadowy smile, when
was too young to be trusted to hold
On. If you are going to take my me-
chanician's seat, Jes,' he said to me,
you have got to do my mechanician's
work And by the time | was fifteen,
| could We used to race with the
chief car tester, for combination train
ing, on mile practice track around
the factory. l held the wheel myself
at seventy-fve miles an hour, before
| was seventeen. And he took me
with him, as a spectator, to every big
race here and some abroad. OF course
be was training me to take charge or
the manufacturing business with him,
not for racing myself. But, somehow
affairs went wrong. When he died,
eighteen months ago, everything col
lapsed and | found nothing left. The
factory itself is tied up in lawsuit;
may get that out of the ruin; build
lngs full of silent machinery / have no
capital to use, and no heart to sell"
There was pause.
81 wonder" Stanton unused slowly,
why you volunteered to act as my
mechanician that night?"
Floyds gray eyes flashed to meet
his, all his color and animation rush
ing back.
Because l love the racing, love
It," he answered, impulsively frank. 81,
I've got my fathers blood in my veins
and the frail physique of useless girl
cant you see how they fight? The
very smell Of exhaust gas makes my
heart jump and pulses tingle. Be-
sides, | had watched you often, |
couldn't see you put out Of the run
ming. Then, l was tired Of" he
checked himself sharply. Ought we
not to go back on the course?"
Stanton rose, signaling the waiter.
You saw me through that difficult
ty," he acknowledged. But, you said
this morning that you had a sister; |
wonder you stayed with me for the
season"
my sister understands" Floyd ex-
planned; he had risen also, and stood
for a moment beside his chair his
unseeing gaze bent on the ground
she knows that was not brought up
to live woman-fashion. | wish, if ever
you hear anything of me that you do
not like, that makes you feel different
ly toward me. wish you too would
remember that | was reared by man
to live among men and missed all that
women teach"
Stanton regarded him in an astonish
ment at once indulgent and ironic.
I'm not likely to hear anything OF
you that will shock me very badly
he dryly returned. DO you think
am a gentle girl. myself, Floyd?"
Not SO you could notice it, sprane
the prompt opinion the candid gray
eyes laughed out Of their shor
eclipse.
They went back to the course to
gether.
The next two hours were spent il
4 repeatedly circling the ten mile course
In ten minutes; a reasonable practice
gait, from Stanton's point of view. Or
the last trip he and Floyd disagreed
over question of mixture, and came
up to the repair pits quarreling vigor
ously, exciting the interest of all be
holders.
IF don't know when a motor need
more gas, I'll go take a correspond
ence course" was Floyd's last retort
as he slipped out of his seat.
IT'S running like it never did be
fore, and you'll let it alone" Stanton
sent the definite order after him.
The witnesses grinned at one an
Nther
Say, Floyd, that's fine big brut
Of machine you've got there" con
plimented the broadly amused George
as the young mechanician went b
him.
1t sure is" came the cheerful agre,
ment.
Eyes. But it's nothing to the brut
of driver you've got"
Floyd paused to glance back.
Let my driver alone" he advised
!. Stanton and understand each othe
al right"