The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1913-06-12

companion, as she had moved a few
steps from her father and the younger
gentleman who accompanied her. But
stanton's eyes glinted cold resistance
Of the attempt at command. He de-
hberately retained Jessica's hand
upon his arm and, since he must GO.
led her with him.
You called me. Miss Carlisle3' ne
questioned. Miss Floyd. let me In
troduee Miss Carlisle"
The two women bowed without ef-
fusion, Valerie Carlisle scrutinizing
Jesaica with an acute attention that
seized every detail OF her appearance.
Miss Floyd. have we not metz" she
puzzled. Pardon, It seems so to. me"
Probably you have net my twin.
brother" Jessica suggested, gravely
self-possessed. "He Is much with
Mr.. Stanton"
There was q shock Of antagonism
in their meeting gaze, as there had
been between Floyd and this girl
when he had seen her In the railroad
depot on the way to Lowell. Miss
Carlisle turned to Stanton. enlight-
ened.
"oh. YOU mechanician; / remem-
Der"
MY friend and mechanician. yes"
he amended.
"Ah7 But / am OBTAINING you'll
merely wished to ask If you had quite
recovered from your illness. When
you left u that night. l never mag
lned you would try to race next morn
Ing. And you should not have done
SO; it resulted In an accident"
He opened his lips to deny that his
illness had caused the Mercury's mis-
hap. then paused. II he had not felt
the average irritability Of a strong man
sick, would he have quarreled with
Floyd and taken his car around the
turn at such ruinous speed3 He did
not know.
4 am perfectly well, thank you"
he answered. instead.
Indeed, / am glad. win you not
come to see us soon-you owe US a
dinner call. you know"
He did not echo her delicately ex-
pectant smile, his dark face hard.
you must believe my appreciation
Of the dinner without that formality,
Miss Carlisle. / start for Indiana In
a few days." he regretted.
Her amber eyes also hardened, sud
denly and strangely; she moved a step
to retire, catching up her trailing
lengths Of satin and lace.
AS you Will, Of course. All; we
found out what car wins when you
are taken from q race, Mr.. Stanton,
as at Lowell And you judged wrong
lit was not the Duplex. but the Alta
lanta. Good night"
Stanton looked after her. amazed,
then abruptly turned his eyes to the
frank, a~teadfast face Of Jessica Floyd.
Come out IN the fresh air" he re-
quested. "That perfume she wears
smOthers one"
"s~andalwood," interpreted Jesslca,
turning; she had her brothers. habit
Of instantly obeylng a suggestion.
And as they emerged: MAY I say
something interfering and imperti-
nent9"'
What right have / to object 70 any
thing said to mef ] show small grace
to others"
Then. pray do not go near Miss
Carlisle just before a race"
He stopped short on the sidewalk.
you know-yOu think"
i know only what Jea knows" she
da"'-~ad ~I-' nink that Miss Car
pr your racing. Some
~ sally unlucky indu-
ences, perhaps.
Stanton shook his head. unbeguiled
by the pleasantly.
4 understand what Floyd believes.
but 81 90 impossible. absurd. BESIDES.
II is to her interest for me Il. win.
the Mercury uses her fathers tires
yes. agreed Jessica impersonally
When be left her. In the family light.
ed hall before the door OF her q
ment, she drew on her glove with a
swift movement
MY father used 10 say that one
only offered a covered hand 10 an en-
envy" she said half playful. half seri-
GUS. 'Good night"
There was a tlnkling crash, before
he could reply. Stanton bent and ne,
covered her wide silver bracelet. shak
en- loose by her rapid gesture OF the
previous moment.
May ] put It ONT" he asked.
But she held out her hand for the
trinketi in the dim light he could
have Imagined that she had become
suddenly agitated and hurried.
mo. Il 20 too heavy" she declined.
Good night, have enjoyed this eva.