From the Car Behind

ng the racetrack, his eyebrows lifting in the wave of humo

e wondere

come across from the row of training-c

rose. Ain't he awfu

rew keenly appraising as they followed the flight of

," he gave la

all right, when the race comes off. He'll not last twenty-four hours-a

rard, tolerantly. "No, I'm not

aracteristic strangers usually noted in him: an exquisite Hellenic grace of strength and faultless proportion. He was a man's beauty, as distinguished from a b

gray, one was dingy-white; the fourth shone in delicate pink enamel touched here and there with silver-gilt. Its driver and mechanician were clad in pink also, adding the comple

in quick approval of a skilful turn or deft man?uvre. Once he rose and changed hi

woman. Against this filmy drapery her intent face showed as a study in concentration; her dark-blue eyes wide behind their black lashes, her soft lips apart, she too was watching the pink racer. But there was no

g camps. Simultaneously the girl in the upper rows of seats arose, catching up her swirl of pale silk and lace garments and hurrying precipitately down the stairway aisle. So great was her haste that, co

steady. "There is a second flight o

ed his support, then drew back on the na

"I am not hurt. I

the dignity of utter naturalness and a young confidence in the goodness of all men. The impression Gerard received was orig

f the way, at least," he offered, accepti

rs with a slight shiver,

s beyond the corner, there.

D HIS SUPPORT, THEN DREW BAC

oved hand on Gerard's arm, she lingered to loo

t again to-day?" she inf

. It is already

he rear of th

rip of sandy ground to where a large foreign-built

e is practicing out there. And it vexes him if I watch him or say I am afraid for him. He tells me to stay hom

, of course, Gerard though

ed whimsically. "I have no sister, but

, completely feminine face

led family," she told him. "I am always doing

ck on the cement promenade, the pink machine shot across and

led, his imperious young voice

raging monosyllable f

on

N

and there rest. With a jerk he jammed down the brake and leaned from the machine. Thick fair hair lay across his boyish forehead above level dark brows

chauffeur's licens

o engage a man?" was

other's face, so definitely st

thinking of hiring you. But I did want to ask if you would ride into the city with me. My mechanician is busy o

mused aloud, "why you

law freak turned out at Albany, I'm too young to drive a motor vehicle safely on the pu

steadying his countenance. "And speculating upon how the average chauffeur would like to t

ghed together, as his gues

d me kid amateur, and rosebud, and girlie, until I just had my car painted pink and bought these pink suits and told them to go ahea

plannin

n the level intonation of the i

Gerard is going to race; I'm afraid of him. Why, he hasn't even been out to practice! He says he knows the track, they tell me, and he'll not come down until a couple

on. "You see, he has his automobile factory to manage as well as his racing w

ed family that ever happened, anyhow. I'll go off the handle, I know I will, if those grinning drivers get to gibing at me to-morrow night--" he broke off, slammin

somewhat attained, Gerard

s afternoon. With some really steady training and practice you could

yes flashed to meet the other man'

handle.' Never. You must keep

it's temper," ame

s bronze-brown eyes glinted a fun a

re with driving; on the contrary, some of the best drivers and

quietest ever. Of course he's almo

estion carefully un

to worry you,"

't know just wh

. This is where you

e going, because I couldn't get back alone. I'm

ered his hand with a glance deliberately friendly

gauntlet and eagerly

e protested. "I'd like to see you ag

you." He withdrew his hand, laughing a denial of explanation as

om every direction, the group forming with a suddenness truly New Yorkese. Indifferent to all

mean that? About my driving well, some day? I know I'll n

rard, "just what I said

olored costume and looking after the straight, slender figure swinging down the st

of the Beach racetrack amid the medley of sounds from excited crowds, roaring cars, and noisily busy trai

" Gerard greeted, keen

lit Rose's exhaustion-d

n who you were, yesterday, I'd never have asked yo

ave let

ept the wheel with you in the car? But what you said about my driving made it so no on

ce? Why, you're runn

h set, holding out two bliste

o finish for my car. I can't hold my wheel without an hour

our altern

s ago, and sprained his ankle. We're out of it,

ere the pink car stood, palpitating in an aura of its

rs ago, with a broken crankshaft. If you

reathless, Ros

you m

ready to take it again for the finish

ed. But if Gerard was not surprised to see it, Rose certainly was both a

ything for you," he

rd, tactfully gay. "Now hurry up your men

oward the teeming grand-stand, as he turned to make ready. Was she there, he wondered, the flower-like girl with the name of a flower,