The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-04-01
CHAPTER ~.
The Finish, and After.

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-
ance gaits, saving their energy and
their machines for the more spectac-
ular 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
gore in for a brief rest. At eight he
was back. and kept the wheel until
ono in the afternoon. Victory was In
his hands II nothing happened to his
car; an hour and half lost In re-
pairs would transfer all his advantage
20 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 halfpast one. all the cars were
sent to their camps while an hour
was spent I'm having the track hur-
riediy 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, filling the stands to
euffocation, massing on the prone
made. banking in a solid row OF pri-
yate automobiles behind the screen,
When at half-past two the racers
were recalled to start anew, Stanton
sharply scrutinized his mechaniciap
before leaving the camp.
I'm going to keep this car until the
end of the race" he announced. not
unkindly. III you don't think you can
stand seven hours of IL. say 80; and
III have them find some one to re.
lieve you. They can rush Rupert here
from up the Hudson by four or FIVE
O'Clock. II 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 grimestreaked pallor.
You won't have to tie me-" he
promised, white teeth catching his lip.
,"I1l not finch. Go on"
/, Stanton actually laughed. bending
10 his levers.
Il didn't mean to tie you to keep
you from running away, but to keep
you from fainting and falling out" he
explained. "But--r
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 III other hands.
Hour after hour passed. The noisy
music Of the band crashed out mon
otonously; the crowd swayed. muir
muring, applsudlng. exclaiming. argus
eyed and kaleidoscope in color and
motion.
Az sunset. when the Mercury made
q trip into camp for supplies. neither
Of its men left their seats. The beam.
ing Mr.. Green came TO shower con-
eratulations upon Stanton, and with
him the head OF the Mercury Com
pany, himself q 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 10 the matter with your
nschaniciAn. Stanton?" he queried.
Stanton turned. suddenly conscious
of a light weight against his shoulder.
With his movement. Floyd also start
cd erect, their glsnces crossing.
~Nothing." the driver briefly an
swered to the Others question. Tired.
perhaps; he has been working. As
you were saying"
But the giimpsed picture stayed
wstb Stanton; the fatigusd young face
against bis arm. the drowsy. heavy
lidded eyes nsshing keenly awake.
the involuntary expression OF angry
shame at the moments weakness.
And be would sooner have tied Floyd
in his seat. after that. than have added
the nne insult az offering 10 relieve
him.
Ready" some one called; the work.
men scattered IN every direction. and
the Mercury was on once more.
''car comin'," warned the mechsni-
chan. 90 they shot from the paddock
entrance On TO the track. Duplex
sbead"
Eloy6 Ma himself again. wstehfully
brsi1ess,ilv. ponchslantiy fearless.