Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 5, 1921 — page 94: what you’re looking at

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

380 Say, Mr. Lodge. who taught your son how to box?” ‘ T didn’t know he boxed.” ‘“ You didn’t? Well, I’ve seen a neater left than his, but he has the prettiest little right-cross that ever rocked a pug to sleep. Painless, that’s what he is. One jolt and they tel! the world good night!”’ Her eves were brilliant with enthusiasm, and as though they kindled a corresponding spark in the man, the beginning of a smile touched his lips. ,; ‘He hit Larry with everything from a straight left to an overhand swing, and then in the middle of things he just sort of went wild. Got a glare in his eyes that made you want to run, and Larry did run, There was a crowd of Larry’s pals in the room, and they tried to cut in, and then Tiger went after ’em. He busted a chair on some of ‘em and when that gave out he let ‘em have his fists again. Riot? It was a scream, Mr. Lodge, and in two minutes he had the place to himself.” ‘I wish,” murmured Mr. Lodge, “ that J had seen it.” * You’re right. It was anice bit of clean scrapping, but it got:him in wrong with the bovs. He made twenty enemies in that crowd and now they’re out to get him. If he’d been one of them they wouldn’t have cared, but now they’re going to get him.” She paused, but Mr. Lodge was again puff- ing at his cigar. ‘That’s why I say send for him and get him out of that mess!” The cigar was not removed. ‘‘Listen!”? said Mary Dover. “° You don’t understand. It won’t be any wallop with a fist. It means—murder!” At that significant lowering of her voice he took out his cigar and poised it, watched the smoke curl slowly toward the ceiling. ‘In my youth,” he said quietly, at length, ‘‘ there was a saying among men that no one should make a situation of which he is not master. It is my opinion that that saying is full of significance. My only concern is this: Does he know the na- ture of the danger he ‘has incurred?”’ “ Does he know it? J’ll tell the staring world he does! Gonzales and Hagen came in to go gunning for him two days ago!”’ ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY, ‘* However, he js not yet a casualty?” “ He got them both; it was a pretty play ihe made. But they aren’t all. There are twenty more and every one worse than that pair. Mr. Lodge, I know a good scrapper when I see one, and your son is good, but he can’t get by with that crowd. I know!’ To her astonishment, there was no am- swer. ‘“[ said it before,’ she added, “ and I say it again—-and I know. It means mur- der! He hasn’t a chance.” ‘“ Miss Dover,” he answered, ‘‘ my son is thirty years old. He has wasted those. thirty years on getting the skins of animals. I am only glad that he has turned his at- tention to men! For the rest, I acknow\- edge your kindness in taking an interest in him, but he has made his own situation and he will have to take the chances. How many men did you say he fought with on that first day?” ‘Twenty, maybe.” * T think,” said Mr. Lodge, “ that I shall not worry about Jack. Heisofage. And” -—-he added this half aloud— he has cut his teeth—thank God!—the surface has been scratched at last!” She waited a moment; there was only one card left for her to play and very bit- terly she decided to play it. ‘ There’s still another reason why you have to take him away.” “Yes?” ‘You take his danger in the Tangle as a joke. He doesn’t. He knows his life hangs by a thread and he stays there be- cause of-~—a girl!” It brought his head sharply around toward her. ‘““A girl,’ murmured he, ‘“ of the Tan- gle?” ‘A girl of the Tangle,” said Mary Dover slowly. ‘He is in love?” ‘“ He thinks he is.” * Ah?” ‘He doesn’t know. He stepped out of his crowd and went to a place he doesn’t know. It’s new and that’s why he likes it. He sees a gir] who talks—differently. He likes it. He wants to marry her, take her up here among his opp, pepelsookshto