The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-06-17
CHATTER xI-(continued).


The precaution was justified. On
the most dreaded angle of the course
came the well-known explosion, i'm
mediately followed by second from
the opposite wheel. the Mercury top
pied perilously.
Floyd was leaning over the back. un-
strapping the extra tires. before Stan
ton had brought the car to a standstill.
The two men were out on the ground
together, dragging. forth tools. Hinged
about by pushing, exclaiming specta-
tors, they worked with quick precision,
wasting no time in speech. Dust
wrapped, two big cars sped by them,
the red one hanging doggedly at the
flank of the white.
George thinks he's winnin'," lisped
Floyd mockfngly. But he isn't goin'
to; we are"
Stanton was on his feet again.
TN with the TOOLS" he directed.
with brevity.
But the blue-black eyes and gray
exchanged one smiling glance before
the Mercury sprang forward.
The race began it's third hour, as
Stanton started out to regain his lost
lead. 1t was noon, dazzling, breath
less noon of azure and gold. Down
past the grand-stand with its heaving
expanse of color and movement they
swept again. the joyous applause com
ing to them across the roar of their
own motor, and on between the walls
sof people into the Quieter back stretch
in pursuit of their rivals.
There was bridge, back there
across shallow running brook shut In
by strip of autumn-tinted woodland
Gar ahead!" Floyd cried suddenly
as they rushed around curve and
bore down on the crossing. Look out
Stanton"
In the center of the bridge was a
reeIfng, staggering car, coming to a
halt and striving to maintain its equi-
librium meanwhile. The chain had
broken loose, it's driver afterward ex
planned, and was flashing the under.
mechanism to scrap metal. Seeing toe
late to stop his own machine, Stanton
took the only chance of saving any OF
the four lives and tried to twist past
Only a masteFAdriver would have at
tempted the feat; Stanton carried 1t
ITO the verge of success. They were
along side, passing. when the edge of
the wooden bridge gave way under the
double strain. There was the rip of
splintering planks, as the Mercury's
outside wheels crushed through the
flooring, shuddering lurch.
Jump" Stanton shouted his vain
command to Floyd. las they went down.
The cool water Tapped around his
fingers. trickled revivingly across his
fntolerably painful arm. gurgling like
Joyous voice as 1T passed by him
Slowly with infinite effort, Stanton
dragged himself mp upon the other
arm, the unin6ured right. He must
see; that was the imperious cry of
brain and heart, to see. 1t seemed TO
him years ago that the Mercury had
gone OF the bridge, yet he knew the
time could be but moments, since the
ambulance had not come and he WIS
still here.
His vision was clearing. Yes;
there, half in the dainty brook. half
on the green bank. lay the heap OF
bent and broken metal that had been
the Mercury racing car. And beside
it
When he drove back the faintnes;s
that blackened the bright noon, STAN
ton began to drag his pain-racked
body toward what lay beside the Mer-
curry. Movement hurt. hurt unbear-
ably, yet was less anguish than
thought. For he knew, knew the
mechanieian seldom escapes.
Floyd lay near the machine. UNI
marred to outward view except for q
cut over his temple and stain of blood
on his lips His mask and cap we're
gone. one hand was flung out, palm up
ward. and the torn sleeve left bare the