Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1913-12-25
what have 1 done7" he asked sim.

~ wat nave ! uOneI ne dbkeu Bill
ply
both men we're still unmasked, their
privacy Of speech was secured by the
uproar around them. Stanton looked
grimly back.
Lied to me. You were not kept
away from New York by work with
Green, or any other work. for the last
two weeks"
A tinge of scarlet streaked Floyd's
paIlor. he bent his head.
yes, 1 lied to you" he admitted.
Stanton's gauntleted hand closed on
his wheel.
There was no need. Your time was
your own. Floyd; I claimed no control
over you. Idon't know why you did 1t,
to be rid Of me for a while. I suppose,
but the reason doesn't matter. Last
night I thought a good many wild
things about you, and your sister, but
this morning I've got my grip again.
No doubt you had all you could stand
of me. I'm not precisely lovable and
Il would have understood II you had
Just told me so. But / will have no
friend | can't trust all the way. Get
in-we will finish this race, and part"
Floyd raised his head and gave to
the stern scrutiny his candid gray
eyes.
Stanton, trust me all the way now"
he appealed. Can you do that? Can
you take my word that your friendship
is the only thing in the world want?
II l deceived you, 1t was 30 | could be
here to race with you to-day. I will
tell you afterward. I can't now"
you mean"
Floyd held out his hand.
1--WE got everything badly mixed up.
but it's clean to offer you, Stanton"
q As swiftly impulsive as his condem.
nation was Stanton's movement as he
bent to give the clasp.
"All right" he said CURLY. Get in;
I ought to have given you a chance"
And as the other obeyed: Il didn't
mean to meet you as I did. an hsur
ago, anyhow; 1t slipped me-"
They're signaling" warned Mr..
Green, hurrying over "Are you ready?
Both of you?"
From his place beside Stanton,
Floyd turned a face OF incarnate n
shine to the assistant manager, a face
so changed in it's color and glow and
warmth that all who saw drew breath
in sheer wonder.
Were ready" his lifting tones as
sured. Don't worry"
Stanton laughed with him, fastening
on the mask, and sent the Mercury
rolling forward. The world was right
once more, and life sane.
1t was an exquisite morning; wind
less, cool. with happy little effects OF
snowy cloud against a cobalt-blue
sky. The October air was a summer
distilled cordial, an ethereal intoxi-
cant. The racers had nc time to mo-
tice 1t, yet the effect was there. The
speed made on the first laps was rec
o~rd-breaking.
The brown or gray streak Of road
ahead, the deadly turns, the treacher-
GUS smooth hill down which 1t was SO
easy to make speed and still more
a to meet disaster-for the first
hour Stanton had no attention to spare
from these. Moreover, the spectators
were massed over the purse In many
places, recoiling just enough to leave
a lane for each cars passage, and so
imposing another anxiety upon the
drivers who knew the swerve OF a foot
must bring death to some one.
"Car behind" Floyd's clear accents
gave the familiar cautions, from time
to time. "He's tryin' to get us before
the turn. The Atalanta's head in the
dust"
The pace maintained was the fastest
at which the Mercury could be held to
the road. 1t was Stanton's way to gain
the lead first, when possible, then
keep a steady average, regardless Of
his rivals spurts Of speed; unless the
race were too short to permit such
tactics or the contest too close. Now,
at the end of the second hour Floyd
made the desired announcement, as
they shot past the grand-stand and the
bulletin boards.
Were leadin'. The tires have been
holdin' fine-look out for them this
round"
Stanton moved his head affirmative
", his narrowed eyes answering from
the line of course ahead. Needing the
advice, he did take the turns more
carefully.