Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1913-08-29
CHAPTER x,l.-fcontInusa.)

There is nothing at all singular in
nay being here. Mr.. Stanton" she stat-
ed. In her cool, indolent voice. BE
cause l ascertained by telephone when
you intended to leave the hospital, and
40 arranged to meet you on the train.
Tomorrow I start for Europe, to re-
main for long time, and It was nee
essary for me to speak with you first.
[ am sorry to see that you have been
fCightfuily ILL"
you are too good" he answered,
tae old antagonism stirring him strong
Iy. "As you observe, l was not for
tGnate enough to finish myself COM
bietely In the late wreck"
"One sometimes feels like that"
she conceded, passing one small gloved
hand across the soft FIR of her muff.
"E have wished for the finish, here
lately, for my part. You probably did
not know that was engaged to marry
Archer Ross, Of the Atalanta Automo-
bile Company"
Stanton sat erect. All Floyd's sus-
picions of this girl rushed back to his
Inlnd.
Yes" she confirmed The thought in
MS expression. What you are imagin-
Jag Is quite correct. ] tried very hard
TO induce you to drive for the Atalanta
Company instead of for the Mercury.
TIE Atalanta absolutely required a
good racing record. But failed. You
eere more than firm In your decision"
So that had been what she wanted
ot him. That had lain behind her
polished surface of gracious admira-
ton and had been the core Of her in
sincerity.
"And when | would not drive for
your company, You tried TO prevent
ME from driving for my own?" He
wondered incredulously.
She looked at him, and looked away
again.
"T fancy you would scarcely credit
sue. MIR. Stanton. II | denied the fact,
now. have been very clumsy; a So
ciety woman Is not trained to practical
melodrama. You are unbelievably diff
1cuit to lead"
Tier fiawless self-possession gave an
effect of unreality to the whole affair,
stanton felt q vertigo OF the mind.
You had that purpose IN view
when you first spoke to me at the
Beach twenty-four hour racer" he
questioned. "You hoped to induce
me 10 wreck my car b. fast driving, In
osder to leave the Atalanta a better
chance OF winning?"
"Oh, mol" she deprecated. Il never
tried to cause your wreck-what can
you think met No, that was merely
an inpulsive experiment; wanted to
zee IL you would do as wished. Some
men have done So"
Are you going to tell me that you
dragged me at Lowell. on the eve of
the road racer
''Drugged your That Is harsher
description than I ever gave the Incl.
dent In my own mind But | poured
tuto your coffee what Archer Ross had
given me for that purpose He said 1t
would not harm you. only prevent you
from driving next morning: he had
been betting heavily on his car. But
you raced. after all, Ill as you must
have been. I never imagined you would
take such risk, or | should have re-
fused the responsibility. disliked the
task. anyhow. To be frank, was hor-
ribiy frightened when I saw you on
the course, and when The report of
your accident came in. / felt guilty of
assassination"
lie looked at her. at her iyory-and7
gold beauty, her composed ease. his
own face ooldly emotionless II did
mt matter. nothing martered. now.
But yet he read that behind that APP
parent ease of hers heaved sea of
tormy thoughts: as always, her speech
vas no guide to her mind
I suppose then, that you would