The Libby herald., 1913-01-03
$50 you won't fall out" soothed the

Rr1nnlng rupert. lou ain I well, you
know. Not that I'd care II you did.
but somebody might blame Darling"
The car leaped forward, gathering
speed to an extent that was a revela-
ton in motoring to Ffrench. The
keen air, the giddy rush through the
dark, were a SOLDERING tonic. After a
while he ppoke to the man beside him,
nervously embarrassed by situation
he was beginning to appreciate.
This is a racing carr"
1T was"
isn't 1t now?"
IT I were going to race 1t day after
tomorrow, I wouldn't be risking It
over q country road tonight. A rae
Ing machine is petted like race horse
until 1t is wanted"
And them"
1T takes it's chances. II you are con.
nected with the Trenches who manu-.
facture the Mercury car, you should
kl.ow something Of automobile racing
yourself. noticed your limousine
was Of that make"
"Yes, that Is my uncle's company. I
did see race once at Coney Island.
A car turned over and killed its driver
and made q nasty muss. IL didn't
fancy it."
A wheel slipped OF stone. giving
the car a swerving lurch which was
as instantly corrected-with second
lurch-by its pilot. The effect was
not trsnquilizing; the shock swept the
last confusion from Ffrench's brain.
Where are you taking met" he
presently asked.
Where do you want to got win
set you down at the next village We
come to; you can stay there tonight
or you can get trolley to the city"
Tho question remained unanswered.
Several times Ffrench glanced, rather
difldently. at his companions clear,
hrm profile, and looked away again
without speaking. ,.
Il went out to get my cousin to-day,
and my host gave me couple Of high
balls" he volunteered, at last. II
don't know what you thought"
Lestrange twisted his car around q
belated farm wagon
How old are you7" hs inquired
calmly.
"Twenty-three."
I'm nearly twenty-seven. That's
what thought"
The simpler mind considered this
for space.
Some men are born awake, some
awake themselves, and some are shak-
en- into awakening" paraphrased Le-
strange, in addition. IF l were you,
I'd wake up; 1t comes easier and it's
sure to arrive anyhow. There Is the
village ahead-shall l stop?"
1T looks terribly dull" was tho
doleful verdict.
Then come with me-" flashed tho
other unexpectedly; for a fractional
instant his eyes left the road and
turned to his companions face. "Did
you ever see race practice at dawn?
Come try a night In a training camp"
You'd bother with me?"
"Yes."
A head bobbed up by Ffrench's
knee. where Rupert was clinging In
some inexplicable fashion.
"Once l rode eight miles out there
by the hood, head downward. holding
in a pin." he impaired, by way Of en-
tertainment.
Ffrench stared at the reeling perch
indicated, and gasped.
What for?" he asked.
$50 we could keep on to our con-
troll instead Of being put out Of tho
running, of course. Did you guess I
was curing headache?"
"But you might have been killed."
exclaimed Ffrench.
Even by the semi-light Of the lamps
there was visible the mechanician's
droll twist of lip and brow.
I'D drive to hell with Lestrange,"
he explained sweetly, and settled back
in his place.
Ffrench drew a long breath. After
moment he again looked at the
driver.
"1T come." he accepted "And.
thank you"
It was Lestrange who smiled this
time. with a sudden and enchanting
warmth Of mirth.
We'll try to amuse you." he prom
ised.