Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1913-12-25
CHAPTER xl-(continued,.

S7AF Err Ni-(Continueo).
The assistant manager stared in a
reproach touched with hysteria. His
collar was wilted, his eyeglasses dan.
gled by their cord.
Buy them? Buy enough racing
tires fitting the Mercury to last you
for a three hundred mile road race,
and get them here by tomorrow morn.
ing? What's the matter with you,
S%tanton?"
We'll, since there is nothing TO do
but eat, come to dinner, Floyd" said
the other.
1T isn't dinner. it's supper" cor.
rected his mechanician. This is the
country and you had your dinner at
noon. But I'll come, anyhow"
At the table in the course of the
meal, a small teapot was set before
Stanton.
Chocolate, sir" he was apprised.
why, you had none at luncheon!"
The pompadoured waitress giggled.
mo, sir. But the gentleman sent q
boy after some and came down and
saw the cook, and cooks that fond of
nonsense, and she fifty-four next De-
cember-"
Stanton looked across into Foyd's
mirthful gray eyes.
81 hadn't anything better to do"
was the malicious explanation. "And
] was afraid your nerves would go to
pieces II you didn't get your usual
drug and then you'd wreck us to.mor-
row."
He'd soak a bird of a tree, sir"
Uttered the departing maid.
Give me your cup and have some"
Stanton briefly commanded.
Going to throw it at me, like you
did that jug of water on the first night
we raced together" leased his com.
p%anion, obeying.
Stanton's head lifted slightly, the re-
gard in which he enveloped Floyd was
almost savage in its leap Of intense
and tenacious passion. Such a glance
from man to woman would have been
a declaration, from man TO man It was
not a thing to be voiced. Floyd him.
self faltered before 1t. startled into
pallor.
you a throw 1t at me, If you like,
'and square up" was all Stanton said,
and reached for the sugar-bowl with
his customary nonchalance.
Thanks: it's boiling. guess I
won't" Floyd acknowledged. But he
did not look at the other. and his
manner was troubled.
The meal a ended and the even
ing had commenced, when a telegram
came in from New York.
Gar marked Ruby Co. consigned to
Mercury Co. Coney Island. left here
last night"
Mr.. Green uttered a howl and felt
for the telephone.
They've shipped the a to Coney
Island instead Of to Long Branch" he
ragged. "The tires must be out at the
Beach track, or near It."
Don't telephone; send some one
odt there to get them" advised Stan
ton practically.
I've got to be here, and / can't get
our New York men In time, now"
We'll. I'll go. then. Coney Island
has got to be raked fine and the tires
brought here as soon as they are
found"
You? You? Travelling and wear.
ing yourself out on the eve of a Cruel.
ling race? No. Go to bed and get your
rest, please, Stanton. I'll send some
one"
Stanton did not go to bed, but he
went into the hotel room across the
hall and played billiards with three
Of his fellow-drivers, He was less for.
bidding. less caustic OF speech than
formerly. Floyd had taught him the
art Of companionship. Before the
game ended, the four players found
themselves very good company and
drank a good night In Apollinaris, to
the landlords Bacchic disgust.
About ten o'clock, Stanton looked
intn rho apartmant whera Mr.. Green