The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1913-03-05

nineteen was painted on the front,
sides and back of his car in white
figures two feet high. The first
| morning he had the racer out for
practice he was content to take
things easy around the thirty-mile
course, which on the day Of the race
had to be circled ten times; but the
second morning he let her out on the
last round, with Henderson keeping
time. "Thirty-three minutes" Jack
announced as the car flashed past
the grand stand On the finish. That's
going some!"
"Some," agreed Morgan, "but,
nan!-When she really goes!"
1t was the day of the race. While
the heaven was still lighted only by
the stars the roads leading to the
course were processioned by thou
sands of glare-eyed touring cars, and
the New York trains were adding
tens of thousands to those eswho had
spent the night in houses, barns,
tents and the open fields along the
way. When the first trace Of dawn,
faint, gray mistiness in the east,
came at half-past four, the course,
Wonted thus early to be without a
soul save perhaps for a market gar
dener or two jogging sleepily town
ward, was crowded like a great city
artery at the hour Of Homecoming.
Half an hour later, when the mist
was family redGe ming into promise
of the sun, the course was thirty
miles Of hustle. Of suspense.
Five o'clock found Morgan's and
the nineteen other racing machines
in waiting line before the grand
stand. A sens of solitariness crept
upon Morgan. Each cars manufac-
t.lrer stood beside his machine talk
ing to it's driver and giving him en-
couraging pats on the back, and
friends were coming up to shake the
drivers hand and wish him victory,
and here and there handkerchiefs
were being waved from the grand
stand. Morgan gave a quick, hun
CRY glance at this great inclined
plane of humanity, then returned his
eyes to their former straight-ahead
gaze; he had expected no friend, and
he had seen no friend. Few persons
had ever b card Of the king Of the
automobile world, and the few had
wondered at it's makers temerity in
entering it in any race at all, let
alone such a race as this.
1--WE don't seem to be exactly the
favorite, DO we Jack?" Morgan said
drily.
"I guess there amt many in this
bunch bettin' even money We'll win"
"No; about million to one is the
Odds" Morgan's left hand came from
the wheel and gripped Jacks arm.
But we've got to win, anyhow!"
he said fercely. Understand"
We'll win-if she only sticks to-
gether," Jack assured him, grimly;
"for; oh Lord, she's got speed to give
away"
There was stir among the group
of officials at the head Of the line of
machines! half-past five, the hour OF
start the race. "Clear the course!"
rang out an order. 1t was taken up
by hundreds Of voices and movee
down the track in a great billow of
sound, and the crowd which had
blackened the road parted, leaving
between a brown ribbon Of oiled
earth. The next minute the engine
OF car No. 1 began booming and
splitting from both sides Of it's bonnet
darts Of blue flames. The starters
counted off the seconds, and at "Go!"
the car lunged forward. A great
cheer rose from the grand stand, and
kept pace with the car as it whizzed
between the lines Of bordering thou
sands.
The first fifteen cars, cheer-follow-
ed, had gone flying at minute inter-
vals toward the flushing east, when
Jack suddenly seized Morgan's arm.
Somebody wants you," he said, and
nodded toward a box in the grand
stand.
In the box, one in the lowest tier,
Morgan saw girl in long tan coat.
She smiled and a gloved hand beck
oned to him. Instantly he was out
of the car and beneath the box,
touching his begoggled leathern
skullcap that was tied beneath his
chin.
She leaned down over the railing
till her head was on a level with
his, in order that her voice might be
heard above the terrific fusillade No.
16 had just begun. $50 you were
not going to speak to friend?" she
demanded.
ga friend::' he said, dizzily, touch
ing his cap to her aunt and uncle in
the rear of the box. 81 didn't Knoy
You were here. And I didn't know
you we're nv friend
Not your friend?" Her eyebrows
arched with surprise. Though
suppose shouldn't be, after the way
you've treated me-"
Fhe way I've treated you!" gasp
e., Morgan, as No. 16 roared AWAY
Eyes" Her face became severe. |
Think of how you served me on The
telephone. I held the receiver I'll |
nv arm ached, calling to you, wait
;: for you to say something more
but you'd cut me off. And then you
haven't come near me for three |
ncnths.'
Ee could only stammer and stare.
A dazzling smile drove the severi-
~ from her face. But see how
nave forgiven you. I've stayed up all
night and come here just to see you
VIM"