New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1918-07-26
L.i9I6
TWELFTH EPISODE
CHRISTOPHER and the ChauffeuSe.

~ r etiS Nv
Christopher and his uncle had just
been to look ut the cars that were to
start next day in the great freak
race" us the coming event was pop
ularly called, and for which Scarlet
Runner was already entered-at the
important relatives request.
The Royal Automobile club, under
whose auspices the race was to be
run, had taken temporarily II big new
garage to house the competitors, and
ever since early morning, when the
cars had begun to assemble II to
put themselves on view, devoteeS OF
motoring had been pouring in and out.
Everyone was Interested, for not only
was II wcll-knOwn millionaire Offering
II ~ten-thouSund pound prize and several
cups for the encouragement of orlSl-
nality among inventors, but most OF
the motors themselves were worth see
ing. As for the old man who held
Christopher Races destiny in his hand,
he was Interested for several reasons,
though his interest had come as u sur
prise to Christopher.
Now he was talking excitedly as
they walked together into the big
white-and-red-and gold restaurant near
the garage.
well, Chris" he said, as they sat
down at the table christopher had en-
gagged, "you win that first prize una
there's nothing of mine you can't have
now or in the future, though there was
one of my wishes which you refused
to carry out. 1t isn't so much the
prize money I'm keen on for you,
though it would be IL tidy little sum to
add to the allowance mean to make
you again, until I'm gone and you
come into the lot. You've been pretty
plucky this last year, and shown that
you've good stuff in you-bettcr stuff
than i thought when you were fooling
your time away and running into debt.
I've been pleased with you; ! don't
mind saying I've been proud of YOU
once or twice. But | want you to show
the world hat you're more than Il good
chauffeur and the owner Of Il hand
some red car-Or Il ~SpcOnd-rate anna
teur detective. l want you to show
that you're the best there is, and that
Scarlet Runners the ann kind. Win
this prize, boy, win it, and ! shall say:
Here's my SUCCESSFUL young man
who's done something for the world to
talk of, and done it alone"
Just then a nan who had been about
to pass the table turned ut sound of
the excited voice, stopped abruptly,
and came back a siep or two.
"How do you do?" he asked, speak
ing to both men, but putting out his
hand to the elder.
1t was Sir John Maverick, ardent
motorist, millionaire proprietor of the
Man on the Car, and-the organizer Of
the freak race. He knew Christopher
only slightly.
Old Mr.. Race was delighted at the
meeting, as much for his nephew'S
sake as his own, for he felt vaguely
that it would be II good thing for Chris
topher to know this important person.
"Sit down and have some lunch with
u.s." suggested old Mr.. Race.
The millionaire accepted without de-
muir, saying that Il friend whom he
had asked had failed him, and he had
thought himself doomed to eat alone.
Sir John spoke freely of his object,
which was to encourage inventors.
They had not got to any discussion
of C~hristopher's car when the old MAJ
found that he was in danger of making
himself late for an engagement. He
was obliged to eXcus himself before
the coffee and %liqueurs. but he insisted
that luncheon must not be curtailed by
the others, and hurried away almost
before the two he had left behind
could rise from the table.
The table was near the entrance.
therefore Christopher had to take only
II few steps to see his uncle as far as
the door. As Mr.. Race went out, two
ladies came in, passing by the old man
and the young one apparently without
II glance. But if they did not pay the
smallest attention to him, Mr.. Race
was seized with the most lively and
compelling interest in one or both of
them. He started, stared, and peered
through his gold-rimmed eyeglasses,
his lips, parted for a last word with
Christopher, remaining open.
"What's the matter, uncle?' asked
the young man with rather a humorous
light in his eyes. you seem rather
Lord bless my soul - exclaimed the
man. And with no other answer
Mr.. Race marched out of the restau-
rant. looking like one who had seen u
ghost.
Sir John Maverick, at the table.
smiled as Christopher came back. He
had caught the expression In his old
face and in the eyes that
peered at the two beautiful women from
their glass windows.
81 didn't know Mr.. Race vas a la
dies man i'm these days." he said.
But that couple are attractive enough
to make a Don Juan out of a DiOgenes."
81 shouldn't have thought even they
would have that effect on such a hard
ened old cynic as my uncle" said
C~hrisfonher-