The San Francisco call., 1906-06-03


they entered the store.
Poole was leaning over the counter.
Been takin a little exercise, Pitcher and
me- he vouchsafed This sort o. weather
you wanter keep your blood clrculatin'."
Very true agreed the visitor: What
were you doing? I'd like some exercise
myself
"Sparring,'' replied Poole ronchalantly.
Ever had on the .gloves?' He led the way
to the inner room. 1t was lara9r than
the store and empty, save for some rough
settees pushed back against the board
walls. There were two windows in the
rear. but they gave very little light. An
other building, a storehouse. had been
erected within three feet of Poole and
Pitchers since their occupancy of the
place Already, in the early October dusk
the room required the light of two great
keronsene lamps set into brackets on the
wall.
He closed the glass door and the tram
SOM window beside II. Two pairs OF box
Ling gloves lay on one of the settees. Poole
picked them up and handed one pair to
Vaughan, who fingered them irresolutely.
II suppose my people would object he
said .hesitatng: but he slipped on first one
glove, and then other. Poole was already
equipped He tapped the parson on the
chest. Inveluntarily Vaughan responded.
GlltIlPI uIth dStute OutSldcy III Stic StoAct
a boy, who had come on an errand. caught
sight of the two shadows bobbing up and
down. on the sransom and cautiously re-
opened 1t. Another boy joined him, then
man. Although facing them. Vaughan
did not see thems he saw only his antag.
onist.
More and more active grew Poole, more
and more severe his blows following one
another IN rapid succession. They do
xt;ith yoaIipin,c fhrpp fhp head
and shoulders of the young Methodist
He was driven into one corner and then
the other. pounded to and fro. He leaped
wildly about. conscious, now, of the look
ers-on and of the ludicrous spectacle he
afforded them. The boys hanging over
the transom howled with delight. The
man who had Joined them guftawed.
Other men rushed in They climbed on
chairs, elbowing one another. The tran.
som was filled with their gaping. grinnins
faces. They shouted approval, encourage
ment, derision. Vatghan's heart sweifed.
Anger rose like steam in him With it
returned the memory of Frank Henley's 5
Instructions. Up went his gloved hands,
paving the air. Poole backed and parried
and backed again; until he reached the
glass door, On came the Methodist, like a
whirlwind. his eyes blazing, his lips tense,
All at once his fist shot out. catching
Poole under the chin. Heels over head
went the storekeeper. crashing through
the window in the door.
Shouts of appreciation issued from the
group of men and boys in the store. They
jumped down from the transom and sur
rounded the PROSTATE Poole. Good one.'
they cried. Hi, vi, yi!'
Vaughan pulled off his gloves and as
sisted his, adversary to his feet The
blood was streaming down Poole's face
where he had been cut by the broken
glass. Bring a basin of water and a
clean CLOTH" Vaughan directed. There $
one cut which will need a few stitches.
he said to Poole; .Ill sew it up, unless
you'd rather send for Addison.
"Addison's full" reported one of the
bystanders.
Poole winked away the blood which
trickled into his eye. Pitcher by this
! time had brought the water: Vaughan
/ gently sponged the hurt. Yes, II will
| take three or four stitches" he said after
examining the wound
Go ahead" said Poole, grjmly.
| Vaughan took from his pocket small
| surgeons. case and Immediately went to
work. The crowd looked on, we'll pleased
Hes sure markin We, Poole.' said one
THE Reverend Clement Vaughan" said
4 another
| IF. r. II. s.. F. r. A. ST. supplement-
| ed third.
IF. >. P.-Feller what Smashed Poole. :.
Poole did not finch under the needle OF
/ the wit. The surgeon continued, sewed
up the cut, applied strips of plaster and
| stood back to admire his work
u don't believe Addison himself could
have done any better than THAR he said
1 complacently.
I The shows over" concluded the by
ISLANDERS and moved away.
| What's the tax, parson?" inquired
Poole family.
Vaughan slipped the case back into hi:
pocket before. answering. - owed vol
that" he said briefly FOR putting 20,
4 through the door,
Owed me nothing!" exclaimed Poole
See here parson,' he swallowed hard, =
may as well tell you. That was a put-uI
job. l meant to smash you"
Then we're quits" replied the parson
coloring for-I meant to smash you.''
Poole thrust out his hand. Tue parsot
grasped it.
/ Pitcher stared But even when he wa,
alone with HIS partner he made no allu
sion TO the occurrences of that afternoon
CHAPTER XVI.
The Hunhtirn ~ AZ rxir, XCt,pd.