The Argosy, August 1914 — page 106: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

-_- fought fair? 96 Now that you've told me, it seems as if I had always known everything, That’s because I understand you so well; Jack.” “You, didn’t a week ago Sunday— but never mind that. think any the less of me for having fought in the prize-ring?”’ “Why should I as long as you It isn’t something to take up for a life-work, but it might be very good preparation. It wasn’t the money alone you fought for, either, was it?”’ “No, it wasn’t the money, -It’ was the joy of the game—the spirit of the sport—oh, I can't make you under- stand.” “You needn’t try. stand.” Looking at her, he saw that she did. She could sympathize with a man’s pride in strength and courage. “ By Jove, you do!” he ejaculated. “Then what do you think, Jess, of Sam Levine’s offer to take me on for the championship match? Ought I to accept, or ought I, to oblige my unele, refuse his proposition? Which way does duty lie?” “It zs hard,’ she agreed. “ Your uncle thinks so much of you, and has done so much for you, that you ought to do almost anything he asks. You say you are all he has. “On the other hand, he wouldn't want you if you were untrue to your- self. Isn’t that the whole point— being true to yourself will make you true to others? Not whether Sam Levine wants you to fight, or whether your uncle doesn’t want you to fight, but whether you should redeem your own reputation, and leave a clean rec- ord for the ring as you did im the navy and as you have done here on Barratry. That's. what I should say.” In the girl's clear-headed. present- ment of a puzzling case the fogs of Jack Garrett’s doubt were dissipated. He saw that he could not’ be true to himself and avoid the fight Sam Le- vine had offered him. I do under- And you don’t nounced the voice of Mrs. THE ARGOSY. Whether or not he won made little difference, so long as he did his best. He would square his record, and then quit the ring for good, Once more the exultation in his fitness rose to his head like strong wine. ‘'There’s coffee in the kitchen,” Leedy. ** Better come drink it while it’s hot. Doctor says you can go any time you like afterwards.” ~The difficult task of acquainting his uncle with the decision at which he had arrived troubled Jack as, in the late afternoon, he strolled in the direc- tion of the Farnsworth House. It was a pity that life should com- plicate itself like this. Why couldn’t the old fellow have put off discover- ing him until he had wound up that phase of his. career which was offen- sive to him? Lawrence Follansby’s intimation that he could consider himself severed from relationship in case he accepted Sam Levine’s offer was the smallest consideration. He had shown that he could take care of himself, and he rather thought he could take care of two, without calling on his uncle for assistance. On the other hand, he did truly hate to hurt the old fellow’s feelings. Left an orphan in early boyhod, Uncle Lawrie had been father and mother, bearing with his childish shortcomings and the more serious scrapes of young manhood with wonderful patience, Now he was forced to go counter to his commands, He was spared the ordeal he had dreaded. Sam Levine met him with heavy persiflage. “T hear it that Butch Horlock is a husband and father,” he chuckled. ‘“Sueh a quickness!, He tells me you were best man and I am to be god- father to a white hope. What would I be doing at a christening—ask me that?” | “Tt wouldn't hurt you any,” retorted. Jack S COMMmcloooks “ Where’s Uncle Lawrie? ””- all- | (C@)