Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1913-10-09
CHAPTER ". icontlnued.l

CHAPTER ~. (continued.)
Neither are you." he countered.
Nor 1t wouldn't be Of any Importance
If 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?"
NO onei' dryly agreed Stanton.
But I can tell you that l am doing
this to make money, and make 1t
quick, and I would much prefer break
ing my neck TO living in the ruck Of
poverty. They are calling u 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
III lose my 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 1t.
Il fancy your nerve will hold out,
If your patience does" was his reply.
Patience is supposed to be a wom-
ans art" doubted Floyd. But I'll
try to acquire it."
Stanton laughed briefly.
Il wouldn't give much for your
chance Of success, in that case. II
ever find a woman who will ride with
me as you do, | ~will-marry her"
"Oh, no. you will not" contradicted
the other, searching his pockets for
a missing glove. You will marry a
Fluffy Rufles who will faint II 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 a young many marred.'"
II was so long since n 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 a tingling, hui
man warmth and sense Of comrade-
ship succeeded. 1t was as II he had
been living in a lonely. silent room,
when unexpe ctedly 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.gowncd young oma be-
hind him.
My mistress bade me ask you to
wait, sir" she apologized.
Your m~istress?"
She stepped aside, and he saw a tall.
fairhaired girl, gowned with finished
richness in a motor costume OF pale
tan silk, who advanced with leisurely
grace toward them.
Miss Carlisle. sir" supplemented
the maid.
There is no need for you to CO."
Stanton checked, 10 Floyd moved to
continue OF his way. Stay here"
He was obeyed without comment.
The maid respectfully withdrew a few
PAGES, when her mistress came up.
What a place to meet a mar Of
gasolene!" greeted Valerie Carlisle,
In her low. assured tones. '"Or are you
also in distress. Mr.. Stanton, and
forced TO prosaic train travel?"
Her manner was that Of one meet
ing an ordinary acquaintance. she held
out her hand, In its miniature tan
gauntlet, with perfect ease. No one
could have guessed how unconven. !
iional and slight had been their intro
duction.
Il am going to Massachusetts" Stan.
ton answered as c~omposedly.
ITO Massachusetts? But so are
we. At least, we had everything ar.
ranged to motor out to u country. |
place. until twenty minutes ago our
chauffeur was taken violently Ill.
Now | suppose we must go by train"
she broke the s~entence, her large
brown yes sweeping Floyd with a de-
liberate question and scrutiny.
Miss Carlisle, Mr.. Floyd, whom you
saw beside be for many hours at the
Beach motordrome," Stanton made the
presentation.
Her face cleared swiftly, he could
have said It was relief which shot
across her expression.
Your mechanician? Is It possible?
You also are going 10 Lowell, Mr..
Floyd"
Yes, since my next work Is there"
FLOYD replied. insmilIng and laconlc.