The Argosy, August 1914 — page 66: what you’re looking at

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

56 Vesta flared into sudden anger. ‘“He’s not a crook,” she protested. “Fe’s the best man in the world some ways, and I—I love him. Well, I bet- ter be getting back to the hotel for dinner.” He offered to accompany her, but she refused. He was uncertaiii whether it was because his company was dis- tasteful or because she feared to en- counter Horlock. So he stood watch- ing her out of sight and, turning, slowly retraced his steps. It was an ugly tangle, he reflected, and little good as he owed Vesta he wished he could help her. He wished he might encounter Horlock again in his present condition, to give him what he deserved. Suppose he went to Sam Levine and offered to demonstrate that he was the fitter man to face the champion? ‘That was absurd, however. The articles were signed, the date set, and Vesta must take her chances on Butch’s vic- tory or defeat. Nor could he share her confidence that his one-time rival would return to her even if beaten. Vesta might have sized up one side of his character, but she was evidently ignorant of his reputation where other women were concerned. He was destined to have ocular demonstration of the justice of this reputation far sooner than he might have anticipated. He had gone along the road head down, revolving the facts which had been brought to his attention, and was recalled to con- sciousness of his surroundings by the sound of scuffling feet. Looking up, he saw a man and woman struggling. The man was apparently trying to kiss the girl, who was offering silent but stubborn resistance. At least, that was the impression Jack received. It was his day, evidently, for interfering in the affairs of other people. Then it flashed on him that this was very much his affair. For he had recognized in the struggling girl Jes- sica Hooper. The figure of the man THE ARGOSY. was familiar also. -Surely it was that of his old enemy, Butch Horlock. CHAPTER XIV. AN INTERRUPTED BATTLE. ButcH Horwock it was, in training gear—gray sweater, flannel trousers, running shoes and the rest. His am- orous advances appeared not to have smothered his sense of caution, for_he saw Jack the instant the latter came into view. He and Jessica fell apart, and the Butcher gave back a couple of paces. When Jack, who had sprung forward like an arrow released from the bow, came within striking distance, the girl, panting, flushed with wrath, and be- comingly disheveled, but unafraid, was trying to command her powers of expression. Sheer anger stifled utter- ance. * 'You—you—" say at first. “What is the meaning of this?” cried Jack, turning from one to the other. “This —this creature,’ returned Jessica denouncingly, “came into the road below here from the beach. I was on ny way home. He stopped to ask his way and held me in talk. Then he—he tried—tried to—” “TI know,” Jack stopped her. “What have you got to say for your- self, Butch Horlock? Talk fast, for you are going to get the worst beating you ever got in your life.”’ Until he heard his name the other man appeared not to have recognized the person who had come between him and his desires. Now, looking more sharply, he saw who it was. “What are you buttin’ in for?” he demanded. ‘ Where’d you come from, anyway? It’ought you’d gone back to th’ navy to find somebody you kin lick.” With the approach of the moment of conflict the fierce passion for imme- diate punishment which had blazed up was all she could COmiclboooks (C@)