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

Il think you're She best driver on
the track" came the steady answer.
"And I'd rather trust myself to your
recklessness than to some one else's
mistakes. If you want to know. 1
guess you can steer straight enough
for both of US"
Stanton's hand relaxed its hold.
60 fix your carburetor. Yes, / can
steer-straight."
Again the blue-black eyes flashed
sneering defiance toward the grand
stand; for the moment, Miss, Car
isles hope OF witnessing desperate
feats by the Mercury car seemed far
from realization.
But the Mercury had not circled the
mile oval four times when the Duplex,
its choked feed-pipe cleared at last,
burst from the paddock with its mas
ter driver at the wheel and bent on
the recovery of lost time. The Mer-
curry was on the back stretch Of
track, running casually near sixty
miles at the moment.
Car comm" Floyd cautioned sud-
denly.
Stanton raised his head, alert frac-
tional second too late, and his closest
rival shot past him, roaring down the
white path. 1t was too much; Floyd
and Miss Carlisle sank out Of memory
together, as Stanton reached for
throttle and spark. The Mercury
snarled and leaped like startled cat.
The dull period was over.
The Mercury car was slightly the
faster. but the Duplex held the inside
line, and the difference between the
drivers was not in skill so much as in
daredeviltry. Slower machines kept
conservatively out of the way as the
dangerous rivals fought out their
speed-battle. Three times Stanton
hunted the Duplex around the track,
gaining on each lap, until the last cir
cult was made with the cars side by
side, flaming team. The spectators,
scanty at this hour before dawn, rose,
passed again. still clinging together
But gradually 1t became evident
that Stanton, who held the outside
was steadily crowding the Duplex
toward the paddock fence. Nor could
the Duplex defend itself from the ma
neuver which must ultimately force ii
to fall behind at one of the turns OF
accept destruction by collision. The
machines were so close that a swerve
on the part of either, the blowout OF
tire or a catch in the ruts cut in
the track at certain points, meant un
gentle death Mercilessly, gradually
Stanton pressed his perilous advan
tage. And at the crucial moment he
heard low, exultant laugh.
Cut him closer!" urged his mech
anician's eager, excited accents at hi.
ear. We'll get him on this turn
he's weakenin'- Cut him closet"
The comrade triumph came to Stan
ton as an unaccustomed cordial. The.
were passing the grand-stand, jus
| ahead lay the worst curve.
1t was partly reputation which won
If the Duplex had held firm, the Mer
curry must in self-preservation haV'
yielded room. But the driver knew
Stanton, guessed him capable o
wrecking both by obstinate persist
ence in attack, and dared not NEE
the issue. There came the gun-lik,
reports of a shut.off motor, the Du
pick slackened its furious pace, ant
Stanton hurtled past him on the tur1
itself, lurching across the ruts, AM
led the way down the track
The witnesses in stands and pad
dock went frantic. Floyd pumped oil
Stanton snatched a glance at the min
iature watch strapped on his wrist
over his glove, and slightly reduce,
| speed. The maneuver had been sue
cessful, but the driver knew that 4
might have called down upon him tn
judges just censure and have sent hin
| from the track, disqualified.
The number Of laps steadily grey