The Argosy, August 1914 — page 67: what you’re looking at

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

NOBODY LOVES A LOSER. : Bi when he came to an understanding of the insult offered Jessica Hooper con- gealed into cold decision. Jack could have laughed in pure delight at the opportunity which had come of aven- ging his old grievance and this fresher one. His calmer mood urged that he drain the cup deliberately to taste its fullest fragrance. Butch Horlock would not, must not, deny him this much. “ Jessica’? — he turned to her— “ this—er—person and [ have a little matter of business to transact. You will return to your home so that we may be free to discuss it.”’ “Can th’ ten-twent’-thirt’ stuff!” said Horlock jeeringly. ‘* You was al- ways too good for th’ game. If you want to have yer block knocked off, say so in plain United States.” Jack, without paying attention to this sally, was waiting patiently for the girl’s departure. She stood looking at him coldly, one hand raised to the adjustment of her hair. “Well!” he exclaimed. She stood gazing at him a moment longer. Afterward, when he had more leisure for reflection, he tried to recall her expression and analyze it. It was quite unlike anything he had seen on her face hitherto. Then, deliberately, and as he felt rather than thought with her mind on something other than the existing sit- uation, she turned on her heel. He stood watching her until she had nearly reached the foot of the hill. Butch Horlock’s impatient voice recalled him. “Do you want anyt’ing out o’ me?” he demanded. “If you do, say so. If not—” “You must pardon me, Mr. Butch Horlock,” said Jack with exaggerated courtesy. “I certainly do want some- thing out of you, as you put it. You are, it seems, a gay cavalier. I have a score to settle with you on that ground and on another.” “ Wh—what’s eatin’ you?” Butch asked in real bewilderment. “To name only one of the things,” Jack replied, “you knocked me out once. You haven’t forgotten?” “ And I kin do it again, any time and any place,’ the Butcher averred confi- dently. “ For money or—” “You knocked me out once,” Jack interrupted, “but you had to dope me to accomplish it. I still owe you for that drugging. Shall we settle it here or cross the fence to softer turf? ”’ Butch Horlock must receive the credit of not being afraid. This was the more noteworthy because he was consciously caught in wrongdoing, a fact which of itself might have weak- ened his pugnacity. He expressed him- self, nevertheless, perfectly willing to accommodate his challenger. “Since you leave it to’ me, then,” said Jack courteously, “ let us cross the wall and pick out a suitable spot. Not that I expect it to take much time, but we shall be more secure from inter- ruption.” “Say, you know you ain’t in my class no more!” the Butcher ex- claimed. “Tl make you look like a last year’s scarecrow.” “That remains to be seen,” Jack replied. “It is my firm conviction that in a quarter of an hour at the outside you will be crying for help. Come!” He led the way, enjoying the pros- pect to the utmost and bent on drawing out its delights. What pleasure to give his manhood this test, to summon to his aid again the skill he once had pos- sessed! And, above all, to employ it in such a cause as his, on such a foe- man! He was so careful to select a spot of equal advantages to both that the Butcher became suspicious of his hon- esty. ““ Say, what sort of a game is dis?” he asked. “TI t’ink you're stallin’ like you did th’ last time. I'll break that pretty face of yours this trip.” “Don’t make any promises you can’t keep, Butch,” Jack advised. “ Here, how will this do? The grass is long enough for you to fall on without being CORMICGLOOOKS (C@)