The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1914-06-16

How neare" suddenly demand
ed Gerard. above the noise of the
motor.
Hundred feet" Rupert made
report.
The Mercury sprang ahead un-I
der Gerard's touch. ana with an
answering roar the rose-colored
machine sped in pursuit.
There was no doubt that Corrie
understood the play; nor that his
car Was easily capable of passing
the sixty-mile an hour gait now
held by the Mercury. But he was
not allowed to pass. Each time
he essayed IL. the other racer
swerved in front and cut off the
road.
II was as dangerous a game as
could we'll be designed. had either
driver been less skilled Gerard
was Laughing as he drove. when
the first tiny missile ratified
against his car.
He's pitching spare bolts.
shouted Rupert, at his compan-
ions ear. himself grimly amused.
"Peeyish. ain't he"
The turns ahead-we'lf call
IL off there" Gerard answered
mirthfuliy.
The two ears were rushing
down the last half-mile of straight
road. Rupert balanced back aud
giimpsed the last flying missile
as IL came.
Duck" he shouted harshly.
Look out"
There was no time for action.
As Gerard turned his head. the
heavy steel wrench struck him be-
low the right temple. The driver
fell forward across his steering
wheel before the meehanician
could snatch II from the inert
grasp.
With lurch the speeding Mer-
curry swerved from the road and
leaping a yard-high embankment.
crashed through q row of trees to
| roll over and over, scattering
splinteFed wreckage over the
farmhouse enclosure beyond.
When the Mortified knot of re-
porters and motor enthusiasts
from the nearby Westbury corner
swarmed into the orchard the sun
rose from a bank of clouds, CLINT
| ing across the heap of twisted
metal and the still figure that lay
beneath It, illumining the gasping
mechanician who struggled dizzily
| to rise from where he had been
flung to safety, fifty feet from the
wreck.
While the inexperienced res
euers stood hesitating on the
verge of action. Corrie Rose
sprane up the bank.
Get those logs, over there,
he commanded savagely. The
cars got to be lacked up. Hurry
up-do you want him to die I'M
der there? Jump"
Into the parlor of q nearby
farmouse they carried Gerard,
fifteen minutes later, and laid
him on a horse-hair couch. The
lowered carpet was trampled un.-
der the needless feet and strealSed
with dull red here and there.
The rafting explosions of a
motor cycle sounded from with
out; the first of the emergency
surgeons to arrive ran up the
steps and into the room.
Get out, everyone" he direct
ed concisely. Here. want a
heiper-you. Rose?"
Corrie, on his knees beside the
| couch, looked up and dragged
| himself erect. Before the sur
geon's gesture, the rest of the
men were retreating, when those
nearest the door were suddenly
thrust back. Staggering, furious
| passion blazing in his scratched
and pain-twfsted face, Rupert
burst across the threshold.
"AliVe?" he hurled the fierce
question. Alive? WHAT"
Yes" snapped the surgeon.
Cut this sleeve, Rose-gentlyi :
Rupert's haggard eyes eneoun-
tered Corrie.
You" he snarled, and
whirled to face the witnesses, eK-
tending one shaking hand toward
| the workers beside the couch.
Here, I amt supposing but that
most of you are chasing headlines
| for newspapers-prfnt down that
| Allan Gerard was killed by that
man. I'm saying it; Gerard cut
him off from getting past. and he
pitched a wrench that knocked
| him out. Co down to the course
and you'll get the wrench to Mis-
/ souri, you, on the road. Rose
| knocked out Gerard and our car
! ran wild"
The scissors slipped to the floor