The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-03-11
lsl2 Inc s006s- herrin OOapaay
CHAPTER !.
The Man Who Dared.

arm TAN and leaned forward, peertng
ACROSS the blended glare and darkness.
What?' he shouted, above the pull
saiing roar OF the eleven racing ma
chimes tined up before the Judges
stand. @What?''
There was a furry around the Gen.
trai car. whose driver leaned from his
seat 60 stare down at the man who
had slipped from beside him to the
ground. The great crowd congesting
the gEand-stsrd pressed closer to the
barrier. staring also, commenting and
couiecturing.
The mechanician Of the Mercury is
OF his earl"
Tainted"
Fell
The automobiles hadn't started; he
naust be sick"
The referee was already pushing his
way back. bringing the report from
the hastily summoned surgeon.
Heart disease" he announced right
and left. -Stanton's mechanician Just
dropped OF his seat, dead.
But Stanton himself had already
swung out of his car, with the ener-
gefic decision that marked his every
movement.
My man Is out" he tersely stated
to the starter. 1--WE got to run over
to my camp and get another. VIII
you hold the start for me?''
The question was rather demand
than a request. There was scarcely
one among the vast audience who
would not have felt the sparkle gone
from this strong black wine of sport
they had come to sip, If Ralph Stanton
had been withdrawn from the twenty
four-hour contest He had not only
fame as q skiiful and scientific racer:
he had the reputation of being the
most spectacularly reckless driver in
America, whose death could be but a
question OF time and whose record OF
accidents and victories verged on the
appalling He knew his value as an
attraction, and the starter knew it,
although preserving impassivity.
Five minutes" the official con-
ceded, and drew out his watch.
Already a stream of men were run
ming toward the Mercury camp with
the news, Stanton sprang into his
machine. deity sent it forward out of
tie line, and shot around into the en-
trance to the huge oval field edged by
the Beach track; mile Of white rib
bon bordering a green medallion.
The row OF electric-lighted tents
each numbered and named for Its own
racing car. Was in turmoil Of excite
ment- But most agitated was the
group before the tent marked 80
Mercury"
'Durand's down and out--give me
another man." called Stanton, hating
his noisy, flaming car. Quick, you
But no one stepped forward, from
the cluster Of factory men and me.
chanics. Only the assistant manager
OF the Mercury company responded
60 the demand:
yes, go; one of you boys. I'll make
II right with you. You, Jones'"
I'm married, sir" refused Jones
succinctiy.
We'll. you then, Walters Good
heavens. man. what do you mean"
For the buriy Walters backed away.
actually pale.
I'll dig potatoes, first. sir"
Why, you used to racer"
Not with Stanton, sir"
There was low murmur of appro-
Ee2 among his mates, and a drawing
ogether for support Stanton stepped
down from his car. snatching off his
mask to show q dark, strong face
grim With anger and contempt.
You wretched. baekboneless cow
%rdsi" he hurled at them, his blue
slack eyes flashing over the group.
DO you know what and the COM
.sany stand to lose il I'm disqualified
or lack OF one OF you jeIlyish to sit
reside me and pump oil? Isn't there
a man In the camp? III give fifty dol
ars myself to the one who gees, q
hundred II win"
.T'H promise twice that" eagerly
supplemented Green, the assistant
manager. He had private bets on
Stanton.
Not one of The clustered w0rkncn
Damn yon." pronounced the driver.
bitterly and comprehensively. TN re-
peat that offer 10 the man who will
go for the first three hours only, and
meanwhile well send to. New York
and End redblooded male"
The men looked at one another. but
Shook their heads.
NO? You won't? You work your
miseSable bodies three months to earn
what offer for three hours. What's
the matter with yon. don't risk my
neckg. lie turned, sending his pow
efful voice ringing down the line.
sHegs, h,a9s Inc paddock, all OF you-s