The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1913-05-15
CHAPTER Y.


Tuning Up.
Floyd vas sitting on a railing In
front Of the repair pits, when Stanton
came out to the course next morning,
engaged in chatting airily with a cou-
] pie Of 1ovial drivers from rival cars.
He was laughing, and furthermore he
was clad in correct racing costume.
this time, Instead Of the impromptu
blend Of the former occasion.
The group, already breaking up.
drew apart at stanton's approach,
nodding greeting to him. But. beyond
returning the s%alutes, he disregarded
all except Floyd, opposite whom he
stopped
You seem to have nothing to do;
Is the machine ready3" he flung, with
his ugliest information.
Floyd slipped of the railing and
stood up, his expression pickering in
momentary surprise.
IAN ready" he answered, quietly
businesslike under the undeserved re-
buke.
Get It out, then"
The other men glanced significantly
at one another.
Good luck, Floyd" wished a slim
ItaIian driver, whose reputation
equaled stanton's own. as he turned
away.
The Mercury car was out already.
One Of the factory men cranked It.
after Stanton took his seat. Floyd was
moving to take the place beside. when
his eyes fell on the drivers bandaged
wrist.
What's up?" stanton demanded. at
the exclamation.
you have hurt your arm7"
slightly 1 cranked an Atalanta
Six yesterday with my spark ad-
vanced."
The m%echanician stopped with n
foot on the car, looking at him.
q set my spark forward and went
around in front and cranked up and
wrenched my arm" Stanton explicitly
repeated.
Floyd regarded him blankly, then
slowly dissolved into a smile Of hui
morous comprehension and stepped
into the car.
II had no right to ask, Of course"
he agreed. Il beg your pardon.
Curious people should expect to hear
nonsense"
Floyd believed himself put of with
an Obvious tale, as one reproves a
too-importunate child, so impossible
he considered such carelessness. And
Stanton wholly conceded with his
judgment. Only, the fact remained.
The little episode had relieved the
atmosphere, however, and restored
~naturalness Of speech. They shot down
the course. in the sweet country air,
and the days work had commenced.
Then Stanton had his first exhibition
Of what Floyd called tuning up his
motor.
Got her al the way up2" shouted
the mechanician. when they lot out on
the first straight stretch.
Stanton nodded. fully occupied: the
s~peedometer was Indicating eighty
four miles an hour.
stop her-she needs fixing"
II was Floyd's hour of empire. STAN
ton brought his car 10 a halt IN an ap
propriate situation, and the mechani-
clan sprang out ia investigate the un-
hooded p~ower-plant.
Now we'll try. She is good for
ninety an hour" he painted. returning.
Stanton accordingly restarted.
They spent the morning so; speed
ing f%uriously, stopping for Floyd to
fuss with thing or another. watch
ing the speedometer. Floyd listened
to the engine as to a speaking voice,
tranalating IFS plant unerringly and
going TO remedy the cause AS the as-
alstant manager had said. he was a
gasolene freak, a cl%airvoyant magician
Of delicate touches and manipulation.
At twelve o'clock the Mercury came
to IFS camp and stopped.
"How 70 she doing?" inquired Mr..
Green you made that last circuit q
record breaker. ! can tell you"
Cup 10 nineiy-two miles an hour
Stanton reported with breyity IT
never did so wen before Get out.
FLOYD"
Floyd got out. flushed. tired. bis
heavy hair ollnging IN damp rings 10
bic temples. but sunnily content Mr.