The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1913-05-15
cAAPrER lV-fcontInued.l


CHAPTER iV-(contInued.)
Stanton, unrumed as in the New
York depot. except for his wind-tossed
hair, whose blackness was iecked
with yellow road dust. leaned back
to reclaim his hat and inquire their
destination. When he returned to the
usual method OF driving with both
hands and facing forward, Miss Car
Isle had altogether recovered her
poise.
Speaking Of racing, / have never
thanked you for the other night" she
observed, her low tones inaudible to
those behind them. Il never expert
enced anything like watching you on
the track-you carried me away be-
yond conventionality. I I'M afraid. And
to feel that I had a share in our be-
~wildering teats-"
The ugly mood rose again in Stan
ton.
You need not have felt that re-
sponsibility," he declared. my feats,
as you are pleased to call them, are
shared by no one ! drive for pur-
poses Of my own"
She understood at once.
you mean that you did not race
with the Duplex because / wanted to
see your famous driving?"
He checked the machine to permit
the passage Of a t%rolley-car.
Il had my mechanician beside me and
there were two men in the Duplex"
was his oblique reply. q do not amuse
by brushing ear assassination"
The retort was thoroughly Stanton
esque. Miss Carlisle bent forward to
catch the slipping ~dust-robe, before.
answering him, but gave an exclama-
ton as the motor abruptly fell silent.
"Oh. ! am so sorryl The robe
caught In the switch and moved It"
1T is nothing" he assured, STOPPING
to remedy the tangle, and sprang out
to crank the engine.
He had done this very act for Floyd,
two weeks before; only then the stop
page had been Intentional Stanton
was thinking of that incident. while
he bent to seize the crank. and not
Of what he was doing But he saw
Valerie Carlisle lean toward the
steering-wheel, her red lips apart and
her eyes g~llstening, just as he pulled
up the handle.
"Waiti" the girl cried. a second too
late.
There was a sharp explosion OF the
motor, the crank tore itself violently
out of his hand. Only S%tanton's
trained swiftness and instant recoil
saved him from a broken wrist. AS II
was, his arm fell %momentarily numbed
at his side.
you left he spark up" Miss Car
Isle cried again. pale and shaken Il
tried to fix II, but you had cranked.
Have you injured your arm?"
Mr.. Carlisle had risen. several peo-
pie paused on the sidewalk. but Stan
ton stood looking at the girl who
leaned across the folded windshield.
He, automobile expert. racing driver.
had advanced his spark and gone out
to crank his motor? His reason re-
belled. Yet, what other explanationY
you have injured you arm7 Why
was 1 30 stupid as 70 catch the robe
and stop the enginel"
He recovered himself promptly.
mo, no, It 10 nothing. Miss Carlisle.
/ am not hurt" he disclaimed
But nevertheless he started the en-
CINE with his left hand, her narrowed
amber eyes following him
II was not far to the Carlisle place.
There Stanton declined every invi-
tation to remain or ever to enter
firmly resolved to go on to Lowell By
the next train
I'VE win be there tomorrow, also"
Miss Carlisle informed him, IN taking
leave. Il am so grieYed that you can
not use your arm
you see ! have used q to steer
and shift gears" he reminded
Yes. but you viii not try to race
90 hurt?'
That was what troubled her? The
fear that he would not drive aud she
would miss the excitement OF seeing
him on the thin verge OF death? Her
beauty ven out 10 his eyes ike me
blown flame Of a candle
81 shall race" he declared CURLY
He had an odd fancy as he went
down the village street, It occurred