The Argosy, August 1914 — page 91: what you’re looking at

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

NOBODY LOVES- A. LOSER. ‘That we won't,’ declared Captain Zed. ‘Four out of the five got beat up and one almost drownded, and I’ve ceive them fair warnin’ that the next time anything happens, whether it’s their doin’ or some one else’s, I’m goin’ straight to court with this business of robbin’ my pound. If there isn’t enough law on Bar’try to reach them, [il carry it to the mainland.” The climax occurred with.a call from Buck Potter. The big fellow sidled into the camp of the enemy as down- heartedly as a dog taken in pursuit of sheep. “T’ve just been to see Cap’n Zed,” he stated — ‘t’ tell him that anybody that makes any more trouble for him, has got me to reckon with.” “"That’s good. I’m glad to hear it,” Jack returned. “Yep. And him and me have fixed it up for me to rent his shanties and fish-house next season. He says he’s had all th’ fishin’ off Bar’try he wants. ‘IT told him he needn’t be afraid of anybody botherin’ him, but he said *twan't that. He says that when a man gets his age he likes to be where he can see his friends. I reckon that’s so.” These divagations Jack understood to trend toward an expression of thanks. He attempted to forestall or at least to render Potter’s position less difficult by remarking: ~“T hope I didn’t hurt you any last night.” Buck bent on him a smile of bucolic admiration. “Naw, you didn’t. you're a strong feller.” He shot out his paw, gave Jack’s hand a twist that made it tingle, and departed hastily., All this was agreeable enough. Jack was conscious of haying done a fine thing, and it was heart-warming to think that he had been the agent of beating down the hostile spears of the islanders. If he had failed in his pre- vious calling, he had justified himself in this. The fly in his ointment was that 6A Say, you— &1 from Jessica alone was he_ without recognition. If he could receive an assurance that she-knew of and appre- ciated\ his importance! Why did she avoid him? In what manner had he offended her? They had separated that night when she had joined him in his watch with the feel- ing, on his side, at any rate, of a half acknowledgment of — well, something more than friendship, at any, rate, She had permitted him to retain her hand. She had given him clasp for clasp. He had kissed her. : It never occurred to him to susnect Jessica of coquetry. Her nature was as straightforward, as steadfast, as the scented southwest breeze that blew across Barratry these long summer days. He had gone down to the fish-house dock to think matters over. He knew now beyond the shadow of a doubt that he loved Jessica. He would tell her so liké a man and get her answer. He was on the point of returning to the bunk-house when Harley Whaley came down to tell him that a man was at the house.asking for him. He went back-at once. Sitting on the bench, his back against the wall and an unlighted cigar between his teeth, was Sam Levine. “ Hello, Jack!” the caller greeted him, “ Hello, Sam!” said Jack quite as coolly. He stretched out his hand, which Sam shook without a smile. “Tm stopping over here in the Farnsworth house, if you know where that is. Farmhouse back here a ways,” said Sam with a wave of his fat hand. “T know,” Jack admitted, He was wondering what had brought his for- mer manager thus far, Levine being an open enemy to all forms of exer- cise, and the distance between the two points being considerable to one of his habit, “Tf you got time, I'd like to have you come over with me.” “Now? What for?” the young man returned, a littlé surprised. CORMICLOOKS (C@)