Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1913-05-30
CHAPTER III.
The Finish, and After.

Morning arched it's 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
tbeie machines for the more spectac-
Glar work of afternoon and evening.
At nine O'Clock that night the race
would end.
The Mercury car had registered
uinety miles more than the Duplex,
both of them being many tens OF miles
TN 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
one in the afternoon. Victory was in
bic hands II nothing happened to his
ear; an hour and a half lost in re-
pairs would transfer all his advantage
20 the Duplex. He was jealousy
afraid to intrust his machine to his
assistant driver, and consequently
merciless to his mechanician and him.
self But Floyd made no complaint
At half-past one, all the cars were
sent to their camps while an hour
eVas spent in having the track hur-
esedly mended by gangs of workmen.
TIE road-bed in places was furrowed
dixie a plowed field by the flying
wheels. Meanwhile the afternoon
crowds flowed In, filing the stands to
suffocation, massing on the prone
made banking in a solid row Of pri-
cate automobiles behind the screen.
When at half-past two the racers
were recalled to start anew, Stanton
sharply scrutinized his mechanician
before leaving the camp.
I'm going to keep this car until the
ecd of the race" he announced, not
ankindly. "If you don't think you can
stand seven hours of it, say so; and
I'LL have them find some one to re-
fieve you. They can rush Rupert here
from up the Hudson by four or five
o'clock. If you get In for 1t, you'll
flnish, if have to tie you in your seat.
I'm driving to win
The scarlet Of resentment flushed
yhrough Floyd's grime-streaked pallor.
You won't have to tie me-" he
promised, white teeth catching his lip.
".YTE not finch. Go on"
stanton actually laughed, bending
10 his levers.
I'll 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 filled in with
wet mud from the infield-on the first
circuit the heavy Lozelle car skidded
and went through the fence at the
north turn. After that, nothing could
have induced Stanton to allow his
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 and
motion.
At sunset, when the Mercury made
q trip into camp for supplies, neither
OF it's men left their seats. The beam
ing Mr.. Green came to shower con-
gratulations upon Stanton, and with
him the head Of the Mercury Com
pany. himself a former driver whose
suiet appreciation had an experts
vSiue. Stanton was leaning across the
wheel, chatting with them. when his
employer broke the thread Of speech.
What Is the matter with your
snechanician, StantonP" he queried.
Stanton turned. suddenly conscious
ssr a light weight against his shoulder.
With his movement, Floyd also start
cd erect, their glances crossing.
Nothing" the driver briefly an
swered to the others question. Tired,
perhaps; he has been working. As
you were saying"
But the glimpsed picture stayed
with Stanton; the fatigued young face
against his arm, the drowsy, heavy
aidded eyes flashing keenly awake,
the involuntary expression Of angry
shame at the moments weakness.
And he would sooner have tied Floyd
In his seat, after that, than have added
the fine insult Of offering to relieve
him
Ready" some one called; the work
men scattered in every direction, and
che Mercury was OF once more.
Car comm" warned the mechani-
clan, as they shot from the paddock
entrance on to the track. Duplex
ahead"
FLOYD was himself again, watchfully
ausinesslike, nonchalantly fearless.