The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1913-05-02

OPERA" he tossed back, as he went in
search of water.
Stanton descended from his car,
flung his mask and gauntlets on the
seat, and followed his mechan1clan.
He found him, presently, emerging
damp and refreshed from ablutions
performed in a bucket with the aid OF
some cotton-waste.
will you come to lunch with me?'
Stanton asked abruptly.
Floyd paused, regarding him III
grave surprise and hesitation.
Thank you," he began.
Stanton made an impatient gesture,
his eyes glinting steel-blue behind
their black lashes.
DO you want me to apologize for
bullying you this morning." he de-
! manded.
Over the others face swept It's
characteristic sudden warning OF ex-
preston.
mo; l wanted to be sure that you
want me. Thanks, I'll come with
pleasure"
He slipped into a long motor coat,
and accompanied Stanton with ready
cordiality that took no account OF
past events. No reproach could nave
moved the offender so much, no in
iured dignity could have so forced a
curb upon his tongue for the future
1t was not to one of the temporary
earthquakes erected in anticipation Oh
the race carnival that Stanton took
his guest, but to a quiet, cool hotel
within reach. There, the order gwen,
he looked across the width of white
linen at his companion with an odd
sense of triumph and satisfaction; ne
felt for this boy-man something akin
to the elation with which a youth
takes the admired girl out to dinner
for the first time.
81 missed the train, yesterday" he
remarked. 81 suppose you had no
trouble getting the car here?'
None at ALL" Floyd confirmed. 81
fancied you accepted Miss Carlisle's
invitation to drive"
Il did, afterward. 1t was her car
cranked with the spark forward"
Floyd glanced up, ripple of incred-
ulous amusement crossing his gray
eyes, but he said nothing.
"At least, l set the spark as l be-
lieved right" Stanton amplified, watch
ing the effect, "and when l cranked,
the motor fired over. The person who
sat next to me said l left the spark
wrong"
The incredulity died out of Floyd's
gaze, but the wonder increased.
More likely it was changed after
you left it, perhaps by mistake" he
suggested.
In a flash of recollection Stanton
saw Valerie Carlisle's little gloved
hand dart toward the steering Wheel
Just before he pulled up the crank
Could she have moved the sector, and
have corrected her mistake an instant
too late? He remained silent, nor did
Floyd pursue the question.
When the first course of the lunch
con was placed before them, Stanton
aroused himself. Quite Indifferent to
the walters panied disapproval, he
took the carafe of ice-water and him
self filled two glasses.
.Is this your substitute for cock
tails?" he queried, and pushed one OF
the goblets over to Floyd.
. Startled, Floyd yet understood.
smiling as he looked across.
Yes" he assented, and drank the
innocent pledge. Motorists both.
there was no question of stronger
beverage.
Stanton turned to the waiter.
"You can go; I'll ring when We want
Won Did YOU ever drive an Atalanta
Six-sixty, Floyd?"
mo. but I've handled their fours. l
like a six cylinder machine. myself; 1T
has so fine torque-
The conversation plunged into pro-
fessional technicalities; the senti-
mental episode was pushed aside.
People going in and out of the res
taurant stared interestedly at the two
exchanging comments and questions.
Stanton's dark face was well-known,
and a face not easily forgotten. While
his companions dress sufficiently
identified him as one of the racers
who held the city's attention during
the motor carnival.
When the dessert was before them.
Stanton suddenly returned to the per-
sonal note.
How did you become a finished
automobile expert by the age of tWen-
ty-one?" he questioned bluntly.
We'll, l believe you are only five
or six years Older Floyd countered,
with a touch of whimsical sadness,
But grew up in an automobile fac
tory. | had no mother, no kinswomen
at all, and my father made me his
constant companion. He taught me
everything he knew, and he-well. he
was Edgar T. Floyd. who owned the
Comet automobile plant, and who de-
signed and built and raced his own
cars"
(TO BE CONTINUEDD