The Argosy, August 1914 — page 97: what you’re looking at

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

NOBODY LOVES A LOSER. Sam started to say something, changed his mind, and left the issue with Jack. ‘The latter was at a loss as to the best manner of presentation. An echo of a taunt rang in his ears. “ Nobody loves a loser.”” He had quit the ring a loser. Since then he had been consistently true to his resolution of success. His judgment told him he had justified himself as a member of Captain Zed’s fishing gang. | He wanted to go back of that and repair earlier errors. His uncle resumed the proclamation of his views regarding fights fighters. Jack turned to the window and, with his arm on the sash, looked out while he sought for the honest an- swer to the problem. While they had talked the thunder- heads had spread across the whole sky. Now, with a vivid flash of lightning, the downpour began. The‘ old farm- house seemed to rock under the as- sault of the elements. Jack was hardly more conscious of this riot of nature than of his uncle’s voice behind him. Ought he to fight, or ought he not to fight? Was his duty to his uncle in this matter? Or did he owe it to himself to retrieve as far as he could past mistakes? He knew that Sam Levine was not only sincere, but correct, in calling him a better fighting machine at present than he had ever been before. Never by any possibility could he be more fit than at this moment. His supple mus- cles were tougher even than when he was in the navy, his powers of endur- ance were greater. Of course he would not consider re- turning to the ring for any length of time. But just for one fight, just for the sake of straightening his record. Sam said he could whip Monk Reilly. Whether he could or not, there would be the satisfaction of honest endeavor ; and defeat, if it came, would not be ignominious. He had betrayed him- self and his manager for the last time. He was recalled by his uncle. “Jack,” Mr. Follansby was saying, and. “let us end this discussion without more talk. The proposal Mr. Levine makes is ut-ter-ly out of the question. I am surprised that it should have 87 been offered after he found out who. - you were.” ‘Wait a minute, uncle,’ the young man replied. ‘‘ This is an important question, not to be settled out of hand. Let me point out a few facts you~are unfamiliar with. ‘“ In the first place, if I could do any- thing for Sam here it would only be paying him back a little on account of what he has done. for me. He hunted me up at the close of my ferm of en- listment, when the chances. were fair that I would have recommenced my old, reckless way of living—hunted me up and gave me a purpose in life. To your view it is not a very high pur- pose, but we don’t all think alike. “Of course, as Sam himself. would be the first to say—has said to me, in tact—it was a straight business propo- sition. He cared nothing as to what became of me. But that does not weaken the fact that he came to my aid when I needed: him. ‘Also, he always played. perfectly fair and square with me. He doesn’t know any other way. And I, I am ashamed to say, was not on the level with him.” “What are you talking about?” de- manded his uncle. Jack recited the story of his departure from the path of training through Vesta Dawn's lures. ‘““Pshaw—nonsense. Only a bit of youthful folly. Quite excusable,” “puffed Mr. Follansby. -“T Jost it five thousand dollars on that fight,” Sam put in rather plain- tively. “Vou see?’’ Jack resumed. “I owe him something for that, don’t I? He says I’m a better man than Butch Hor- lock, and | am. Whether I can whip Reilly or not remains to be seen. , But there are the facts. What is my duty in the premises? ” “Your duty? Your duty?” the EOMNICDOOKS (C@)