The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1913-04-18
CHAPTER Ill.

nores.
CHAPTER III.
The Finish, and After.
Morning arched its golden hours
across the still speeding cars, and
melted slowly into noon. The weary
drivers had settled to steady endur-
ince gaits, saving their energy and
their machines for the more spectac-
alar work Of afternoon and evening.
At nine o'clock that night the race
would end.
The Mercury car had registered
ninety miles more than the Duplex,
both Of them being many tens OF miles
In advance Of the other competitors.
At six in the morning Stanton had
goce in for a brief rest. At eight he
was back, and kept the wheel until
one in the afternoon. Victory was In
nis hands If nothing happened to his
car; an hour and 2 half lost in re-
pairs would transfer all his advantage
TO the Duplex. He was jealousy
afraid to intrust his machine to his
assistant driver, and consequently
merciless to his mechanician and him.
self. But Floyd made no complaint.
At half-past one, all the cars were
sent to their camps while an hour
was spent in having the track hur-
riedly mended by gangs of workmen.
The road-bed In places was furrowed
like plowed field by the flying
wheels. Meanwhile the afternoon
crowds flowed in, filing the stands to
suffocation, massing on the prone
made, banking in solid row of pri-
vate automobiles behind the screen
When at half-past two the racers
were recalled to start anew, Stanton
sharply scrutinized his mechanician
before leaving the camp.
I'm going to keep this car until the
end Of the race" he announced, not
unkindly. IF you don't think you can
stand seven hours of it, say SC; and
I'll have them find some one to re-
lieve you. They can rush Rupert here
from up the Hudson by four or five
o'clock. If you get in for 1t, you'll
finish, II have to tie you in your seat.
I'm driving to win"
The scarlet of resentment flushed
through Floyd's grime-streaked paliof.
you won't have to tie me-" he
promised, white teeth catching his lip.
"IIl not finch. Go on"
Stanton actually laughed, bending
to his levers.
ri didn't mean to tie you to keep
you from running away, but to keep
you from fainting and falling out" he
explained. But"
The car bounded forward.
The track had been filed in with
wet mud from the infield-on the first
circuit the heavy Lozelle car skidded
and went through the fence at the
north turn. After that, nothing could
have induced Stanton to allow his
machine in other hands.
Hour after hour passed. The noisy
music Of the band crashed out mon
otonously; the crowd swayed, MUIR
muring, applauding, exclaiming, argus
eyed and kaleidoscope in color and
motion.
At sunset, when the Mercury made
O. trip into camp for supplies, neither
of its men left their seats. The beam
ing Mr. Green came to shower con-
gratulations upon Stanton, and with
him the head of the Mercury Com
pany, himself a former driver whose
quiet appreciation had an experts
value Stanton was leaning across the
wheel, chatting with them, when his
employer broke the thread Of speech.
What is the matter with your
mechanician, Stanton?" he queried
Stanton turned, suddenly conscious
of light weight against his shoulder
With his movement. Floyd also start
ed erect, their glances crossing.
Nothing" the driver briefly an
swered to the others question Tired,
perhaps; he has been working. As
you were saying"
But the glimpsed picture stayed
with Stanton; the fatigued young face
against his arm, the drowsy, heavy
lidded eyes flashing keenly awake,
the involuntary expression Of angry
shame at the moments weakness.
And he would sooner have tied Floyd
in his seat, after that, than have added
the fine insult of offering to relieve
him.
Ready" some one called; the work
men scattered in every direction, and
the Mercury was off once more
Gar comm" warned the mechani-
clan, as they shot from the paddock
entrance on to the track. Duplex
ahead"
Floyd was himself again, watchfully
businesslike, nonchalantly fearless
Color and glow faded from the sky;
once more the search-lights flared out
around the track and transformed it
to silver ribbon, running between
walls of ebony darkness except where
the lamp-gemmed stands arose. AL
ready newspapers were being cried
announcing Stanton's coming victory.
Driving evenly, steadily, refusing
all challenges to speed duels and at
tempting none OF his deadly tactics of
the night before, Stanton piloted his
car to the inevitable result. At nine
o'clock the flag dropped, and amid a
hubbub Of enthusiasm the Mercury
crossed the line, winner.
Later, when the triumphant tumult
in the Mercury camp had somewhat
subsided, Stanton walked over to
where Floyd was leaning against a
column of unused tires.
You've had twenty-four hours Of
me-" he said abruptly. How did it
strike you?"
Floyd raised his candid gray eyes
to the others face. and in spite OF sx-