The Argosy, August 1914 — page 107: what you’re looking at

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

NOBODY LOVES A LOSER. “He has gone already. A letter he left for you.” Jack opened and read: I am summoned back to New York to an unexpected directors’ meeting. Sorry not to have seen you before I went. They told me you were called in on a baby case. I will put up any- thing you like, Jack, if you want to study medicine. A great many gentle- men go in for that profession. As for this other thing, of, course you won't consider it farther. I told Levine what I thought of him for sug- gesting it. Thank God, a Follansby 4s always a gentleman. Join me in New York just as soon as you can get there. That was all, but to the young man, with his intimate knowledge of his uncle’s make-up, there was a message between the lines. It was unnecessary to state in so many words that accept- ance of the proffered fight meant a permanent break, or Uncle Lawrie had suffered a change of nature. “Did you see Butch?” he inquired as he folded up the missive. “TIT couldn’t help it. There was nothing else so big in sight,” Sam re- plied. to have that fight with Reilly instead of him.” “What did you reply?” “I says shouldn’t I know it? It saved me telling the same thing to him if you would fight. All the same, if I was you, I wouldn't.” “Why wouldn’t you?” Jack asked, surprised. “Why should you fight when this old fellow, your uncle, who says something is a sink of iniquity—the ring or something, I dunno what—is all puffed up with money to spend on you if you don’t fight? But it ain’t my business to tell you what you should do.” “Do you still want me? Do you think I’m good enough to go against Reilly? You saw me last Sunday— what’s the verdict?” “T told you already. Butch Hor- lock he says he will be your sparring pardner. Two weeks, and you would Yipee “He told me you had ought - be faster than you ever were. But you got to work.” “ PI do it,” cried Jack. “You'll fight? Gott set dank!” Sam seemed on the verge of doing a joy-dance. With a returning sense of 97 his responsibilities, however, he be- | came suddenly grave. “We must get to work,” he an- nounced. ‘“ Look over the house and choose for yourself a room. To- morrow I must name the man who is to meet Reilly. We -will fight at the Palladium Club in Jersey, where the laws are right, twenty-five rounds to a decision.” A memory of the obstacle to suecess in Jack’s last fight gave him pause. He stopped midway of his plans to say: - “Jack, this Vesta Dawn—she ain’t nothing to \you no more, hey?” “Go on, you old scandalmonger,” laughed the young man, clapping him on the shoulder. ‘“ She’s a married woman.” . “All right,” said Sam. wanted to know. asking, is there? ” “T just There ain’t no.-harm CHAPTER -XXIV. A SAGA OF THE RING, “In this corner, gentlemen,” bel- lowed the announcer, “ you see Pro- fessor Michael Reilly, also known as Monk Reilly, for three years unbeaten champion of his class. In that corner is Jack Garrett, better known to the ring as the Navigator. You know his record. They will fight twenty-five rounds, Marquis of Queensbury, and may the best man win.” A shout arose which shook the rafters of the lofty amphitheater. The great moment was at hand, thrill- ing climax of weeks of discussion, rumor, anticipation. Through the preliminary bouts be- tween young pugilists of little impor- tance the tobacco-smoke had been gathering until now it filled the huge CONMUGC 0) S (C@)