The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1910-04-20

protest. But he might as we'll have talked to the
wind, droning about the of the camp. They
informed him profaney and nowise uncertainty that
this their own, particular show that maybe he
boss of the teamsters daytimes, but when the
days work DONE he better than they.
They also informed him that if he looking for
trouble they were plentfully supplied with that
commodity; and big Jake Wright, the blacksmith,
added an epithet that brought Reardon leaping
his side with doubled fists and livid face
There followed oaths and the thud of blows
heavy blows that meant business.
For the moment Malone utterly forgotten by
his tormentors in this keener excitement. Whoop
ing with joy they crowded about-the belligerents
urging them their best efforts.
No noticed Malone, with dilated nostrils
and tight teeth and face OF extreme chalkness he
scurried to the door and slipped out into the night
Ten minutes later Reardon, the battered victor Of
the recent encounter came outside to rub some
his damaged nose, and found him there,
shiverng in the cold darkness
"Scart yer, did it?" Reardon questioned disgust
edly.
"N-n-ho' said Stevie Malone He tapped his
half frozen heels against the side of the bunk house
81 ha-ha-had to co-ho-me out O. there" he gnrged
nervously 'Ihi just had to- cohou-ldnt stand 1t.
Fi-hihi-ghtin' always efec-hehheh-cts me bad-aw-
full.
Reardon threw away his handful of be-carmined
snow and reached for fresh lot.
We'll, if that's the case, you'd better quit here
right off, he snapped. There's fghtin' here most
OF the time. This bunch here this season is the
worst ever'I up agin.'
He applied the fresh to his before he
went on: "You don't fit in this crowd It's
place for you. You'll have to git later.
Might just well do it and yourself the
tormentn's they'll give you"
Malone silent for long time Maybe you
ho-re right" he said at length, "but gu-heh-ess Ill
st-hay-hay just little longer.
He moved away into the darkness, with shuffling
steps and his head drawn down between his bumped
shoulders.
THE gang at Cogger's was not the kind to miss
heavensent opportunity such as the gentle Stevie
Malone. What they did not think up in the line OF
persecution in his behalf not worth thinking
about Malone bore it all with the half-dazed,
haffrightened manner OF that first night Only
when there real trouble, when the prosecutors
moved to trouble among themselves and the
sound of bare knuckes naked flesh sounded
through the bunk house, did he quit the place.
Then, with his reiterated plea of the deleterious
effects of fighting upon him. he skunk outside to
SILVER in the night until the trouble had been set
tied way another And yet he stayed on,
which sorely puzzled Reardon who daily TAX
ing greater liking to this newest teamster of his
gang.
Then one day in the stables Malone received
kick in the shoulder from one of the horses. With
his barred to the shoulder he rubbing the
bruise, when Reardon came in.
Reardon took glance at that arm and whis-
tied softly under his breath He had brawny
before in his life-penty of them but never
such that
Great muscles stood out beneath the smooth skin
in such punches to almost deformities;
moreover, when the moved they swelled and
tautened like cables of Steel
"Gee!" said Reardon in open admiration Then
his brow clouded. and yer let EN- do it, he went
fine disgust. with like that yer let em
bamboozle the life of yer! Aw, you make me
sick."
Malone blushing like school girl. Hurried
ly he pulled down his shirt sleeve
He made if to stink of the place, but Rear
don jumped in front of him
You could drub the whole blame lot of en-, he
accused wrathfuiy. why haven't yer done ito"
Malone hung his head. He said nothing. Plainly
he very i'll at
Why haven't yer?' Reardon repeated. Are yer
afraid? Huh? Is that it? Are yer?'
Maone's homely face twisted it always did
With effort for articulate speech under strong
erection.
''Yehehes," he confessed shamelessy. "Tha-ha-
hats it. I'm schai-hai-rt."
Reardon stepped aside to let him pass of the
able. He did it with tn" air of who draws
aside for some loathsome thing. Yet he watched