The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-03-25

here, so send the victor OF the hour
my corsage bouquet"
She had had the imprudence, or the
cool disregard of comment, to use one
Of her own cards. Valerie Anterior
Carlisle, the name was engraved
across the heavy pasteboard.
| She had thought that wild duel with
the Duplex was an exhibition given
for her, that at herwanton within he had
jeopardized four lives, one his own.
] With strong exclamation Of con-
tempt Stanton moved to fling the flow
ers aside to the path before the Mer-
cury's wheels, then checked himself,
remembering appearances. The or
chids curled Imply around his warm
| fingers; suddenly the magnificent ar
rogance Of this girl struck him with
angry humor, and he laughed shortly.
| Throw them in the tent, Blake" he
requested, tossing. the bouquet to one
Of the men. They'll wither fast
enough"
The new tire was on. AS Stanton
turned to his machine, after tearing
the card to unreliable fragments, he
saw Floyd watching him with curious
| intentness.
A raw, wet mist had commenced to
roll in from the nearby ocean. The
promise of dawn was recalled, dull
obscurity closed over the motordrome,
leaving even the search-lighted path
dim. The cars rushed on steadily.
The night had been singularly free
from accidents. Only one machine
had been actually wrecked, although
three had been withdrawn from the
contest. The officials in the judges
stand were congratulating one an
other. at the moment when the second
disaster occurred.
The mist had grown thicker, in the
lights a dazzling silver curtain before
mems eyes, and the track had been
worn to deep grooves at the turns.
The Mercury was sweeping past the
grand-stand, when one of the two
slower cars, being overtaken, slipped
its drivers control, caught in foot
deep rut, and swerved crashing into
the machine next 1t. Twice over 1t
rolled, splintering sickeningly, but
fiinging both of it's men clear of tho
|
around the curve into the mist, ap-
parently unhurt.
Out across the damp dusk pierced
the shrek of the klaxon, mingled with
the cry of the people and the tinkle OF
the hospital telephone. Stanton,
swinging wide to avoid the pitiful
wreckage, kept on his course.
"Stop!" Floyd shouted imperatively
beside him. Stop, Stanton, stop"
Stanton sped on. disregarding what
: he supposed was novice's nervous
J sympathy. He could not aid the
stunned men lying on the track, and
one glance had told him that they
could be safely passed; as indeed they
had been.
Stop" the command rang again
and as Stanton merely shook his
head with impatient annoyance, the
ulechanician swiftly stopped forward.
: The motor slackened oddly. Before
: the astounded driver had time to grasp
the situation, the power died from
under his hands and the car was only
carried forward by it's own momen.
= tum. Automatically he damned down
the brakes and turned in his seat to
confront his companion in a wrathful
/ amazement choking speech Floyd
l faced him, even his lips white beneath
his mask. but with steadfast eyes.
: Il know" he forestalled the tenn.
pest. You've got the right to put
: me off the carl threw your switch
!, I've got nothing to say. But the mist
l lifted and I saw what lay ahead"
: What lay ahead? The klaxon was
{ shrieking madly, from all around the
2 track came the sound Of hating cars
D The rising wind pushed along the fog
walls again, and they opened to reveal
' the second machine of the late acct
dent, not twenty-five feet ahead, 9
tilted, motionless heap. After the
collision it had staggered this far, tc
go down with a broken rear axle and
two lost rear wheels. Its men were
still in their seats unhurt.
There was an instant Of silence. The
avoided disaster was no excuse for ths
Imechanician's interference, nor die
Floyd offer it as such, wei aware
that his driver was perfectly justified
in any course he chose to take. There
lean be but one pilot at any wheel.
"Since suppose you are not equai
4 to cranling a ninety Mercury, yo1
had better fix the spark and gas while
start it," dryly suggested Stanton
.And-never do that again.
He stepped out and went to the
front of his car. Selling the CRANK
and starting the big motor with an ex
!. ertion of superb strength which would
!, indeed have been impossible to th<
! slender Floyd. When he retook hii
seat, the mechanician made his equal
: 1ay laconic apology and acknowledg
ment Of error.
ST never WILL Floyd gave his word
The wind shook the mist more
strongly, streamers of pink and gold
. trembled across the sky. The day had
commenced.
4 Q,rO. E2Er l(ClNJTINTrE,D,