Argosy, Vol. 111, No. 1 — page 38: what you’re looking at

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

28 A sense of shame at his own headlong innocence crept over him. He had been going to do so much; and here he had been saved from a bad pummeling by Jessie— by a girl! What a fool she must think hin. Sup- pressed rage slowly possessed him—rage at his own undoing. The mere fact that his undoing had been brought about in an underhanded manner made no difference; he should have been watching for that very thing. _ A fine start he had made!. With what contempt, what sly amusement would the Corners’ people regard the first exhibition of his prowess! He must redeem himself, he reflected savagely. He must show them —show Kehoe, show the Corners he was no weakling, no fool; yes, show Jessie, too! He rose abruptly to his feet. ‘““T must be going,” he said quickly. Thank you for—for what you've done.” She rose also, uneasy at the fierce light in his eyes. “Don’t go to the depot to-night,” she pressed. ‘‘ We'll put you up. It will be better.” “You think I may run into trouble again?” “Ves. Kehoe will be furious; he’ll be liable to try most anything.” “Furious because you wouldn’t let him touch me?”’ “Y-yes— partly. After seeing Hoxie and he acted to-night, I'll admit, frankly, that I’m afraid. This sort of thing has been carried too far; it should have been stopped before.”’ He shook his head. “No,” he said, “I can’t stay. go down. I’ve been—vou’ve enough.” By the deep color that ebbed into his face she understood—understood that he meant she had protected him enough—that he could not longer shield himself behind her. She remained silent, respecting his spirit; but clearly she was troubled. ‘Good night!” he said, and stepped to- ward the door. ‘I’ll see you in the morn- ing.” He put an air of gaiety into the last words and twisted the latch. She had moved half-way across the floor. I must done how THE ARGOSY. Standing there she looked at him gravely, her eyes cloudy. “Yes,” she said, contriving a smile, “ of course. Good night!” The night was wonderfully quiet as Dex strode toward the station. From the clean sky the full moon shown dazzlingly on the snow, making the night almost as light as the day had been. He passed no dwell- ings, Lister’s place being the nearest to the depot. Still burning with mortification over his night’s showing, Dex rounded the back of the. station—which Lister’s faced—and swung onto the platform in front. From the shadows of a protected corner two fig- ures popped out into the moonlight and confronted him aggressively—Kehoe and Hoxie! “Now, then, you dashed agent!” cried Kehoe. ‘ I’m going to finish what I start- ed! There’s no one here to interfere—no- body to beg you off!” ‘“And Hoxie to help again!” taunted Dex. He had not been greatly surprised. His pulses pumped furiously, exultingly. Here was his chance again! ‘“No!” roared Bode. ‘“ He’ll not help!” ‘“Unless needed,” grinned Dex. He drew back a step, peeled off his coat in a single quick movement, and dropped it to the platform. His temples were pounding with the old familiar throbbing that he used to feel just before the kickoff in the old football days. . *“* Are you afraid?” jeered Kehoe. ‘“No, you conceited pup!” answered Dex, and stepped forward. Like a bull elephant on the charge Ke- hoe jumped in. “Anything goes!” he smashed out with his fists. The strength of the man was astonish- ing. His mighty fists beat upon Dexter’s guard like the blows of sledges. The agent weaved to one side to avoid a ponderous blow, straightened, and with his elbow warded off another. Bode slightly off his balance, his guard dropped. Swinging from the hip, Dex drove home a body blow, just above the heart. Kehoe staggered back a step; a grunt gritted, and This latter threw CoOMmiilclooo SS (CO