The Flying Mercury

resence of a tea-table and the young girl behind it. A consultation between the two partners who comp

nd he took the bend at seventy-two miles an hour. He went over, of cou

ation, her velvet eyes widen

as the poor driver

with the slow and careful habit of speech sometimes found in those who live much with massive machinery. "No, he wasn't

appeal with more than usual irritation

ness; you said the cars needed advertising. My brother always attended to that side of the factory affairs, whi

s a partner. It isn't the same job. But a first-class driver isn't easy to get, Mr. Ffrench. There's Delmar killed, and George ti

him. Pay

mself together an

just by sheer pretty driving. He drives fast, yet he don't knock out his car. But th

d t

fered to make him manager, he'd come and put some new ideas, maybe, into the fac

itation of one venturing in unknown places. But Ethan

round; I can't be everywhere. What he'd do for us in racing would help a whole lot. It's very well to make a fine standard car, but it ne

"that it is dignified for the manager of

son of the man who makes them," was

urned his face still more to the quivering fire, his always s

t strongly its characteristic over-earnestness and a sensitive reflection of the moods of those around her. Emily Ffrench's childhood had been passed in a Canadian convent, and something of its mysticism clung about her. As the cheerful

ated, with his most precise coldness. "Being well-born and well-bred, he has no taste for a me

You must have hea

read raci

traight-he's one of the few men who'll stop at the grand-stand and lose time reportin

es w

lushed b

some of them started reading it Darling, joking because he was such

out involuntar

once apologized, "but i

advised stiffly. "What respect could the workmen feel for a manager with such a title?

n at the chime of a

dn't give his ears to be seen on the same side of the street with Lestrange, let alone to work

is nece

k it is

brown curls under the ribbon that banded them.

listening I should have asked his, and I fancy yours is f

man. And perhaps it was the real anxiety and suspen

ince we need him,

d Mr. Ffrench. "

nce after the junior

ded. "I liked your decided answer a few moments ago; you c

low chair opposite. "I was fifteen when you took me

ree times to rear one of my name to fitness to bear it, and each one has faile

gesture of helpless resignation. "I'm not even a strong-minded woman who might do instead. Uncle Etha

, frightened at her own daring. But

ev

ended y

me and married a woman from the vaudeville stage. It is not of him you are to think, Emily, but of a

ed gently. "I am fond o

boy, not overwise, but not what is needed here. Fail

M

nd his determined gray o

age my brother and I built around it; a man whose name will be fit to join with ours and so in a fashion preserve it here? Wil

e pale. "I would not do

en of your name refuse, you will

of will, she leaned nearer in her enthusia

or accept yours. I, inde

that he offered neit

aid Ethan Ffrench, and turned