Part 8 (1/2)
”So ayly ”You keep your eye on Mollie, Gracie dear, and tell irl”
”If you think I' to help you break our necks--” Grace sputtered, but Betty cut her short
”Well, if you don't I will have to look forroaned and looked behind her
”They're gaining,” she cried, and then all at once the spirit of the thing caught her--the contest of speed was getting into her blood ”Oh, Betty, don't let 'em,” she almost screa wind ”They're not ave her a swift look, s eyes on the road ahead
”All right,” she crowed ”Just watch me run away from them I wouldn't have had the heart,” she added with a chuckle, ”if Mollie hadn't brought it all on herself”
”But they're still gaining,” insisted Grace nervously, trying to look behind, ahead, keep her seat, hat, and dignity all at the same time
”Look, Betty, they're only about thirty feet behind!”
”That's near enough,” Betty decided, and leaning over suddenly, did so to the car that Grace never quite understood Anyway, it had the desired effect The little racer fairly leapt forward and, like a horse that has been given his head for the first time, took the bit between its teeth and bolted
Behind the every bit of speed out of her machine of which it was capable, and then, just as victory ithin sight, Betty was doing an inconceivable, unbelievable thing--she inning the race!
Mrs Ford and A the race tremendously, but now they leaned forward in surprise
”Goodness, she's beating us,” cried Amy
”No!” snapped Mollie sarcastically ”Who would have supposed it?”
”Perhaps it is because Betty's car is so ly ”We have all the luggage and wraps, too”
”Oh, that wouldn't ood a sportsman to make excuses for herself ”Betty's racer has the speed, that's all”
”Well, they're just about out of sight now,” said Anedly ”I only hope Betty doesn't run into anything and have a smash-up She hasn't driven a car as much as you, Mollie”
”Oh, Betty'll take care of herself,” said Mollie, though she was slightly mollified by this tribute to her superior experience, if not superior speed ”I guess,” she added, after a et a racer too”
Mrs Ford laughed softly, the first ti the news of Will's being wounded
”Don't go back on an old friend for its first offence, Mollie,” she chided, adding diplo car is just fine for speed, but I think your autolad there's so nice about it,” said Mollie, for she had not yet recovered frorin ”I hope,” she added, as a sudden thought struck her, ”that Betty doesn't get too far ahead I don't know this part of the country very well and Betty has the ,” said Ah, and Mollie looked at her sharply