The Emmett index., 1912-02-08

| was set and paid to guard and then
act the sneak and liar to him and ruin
and etarnally blacken the soul of me
You rascal" raved Freckles. "be fight
ing before | forget the laws OF a gin
tlemtn's game and split your dirty
head with me stickp'
Wessner backed away, mumbling.
"But don't want to nurt you, Free
kles."
"Oh. don't your ragged the boy
"Weli. you amt resembling me none.
for I'm itchin' like death to git me
fingers in the face of you"
He danced up and. as Wessner
lunged out in self defense. ducked un.
der his arm like a bantam and
punched him in the pit of the stomach.
so that he doubled up with a groan
Before Wessner could straighten him.
self Freckles was on him. lighting like
the widest fury. The Dutchman dealt
| laundering blows that sometimes
landed and sent Freckles reeling and
| sometimes missed. while he went
| plunging into the swale with the i'm.
petus of them. Freckles could not
strike with half Wessner's force, but
he could land three blows to Wessner's
one. II was here that Freckles' days
of alert watching on the line. the per
petual swinging of the heavy cudgel
and the endurance of all weather stood
him in good stead. for he was as tough
as a pine knot and as agile as a panther.
He danced. ducked and lodged. For
the first FIVE minutes he endured fear
ful punishment. Then Wessner's
breath commenced 10 whistle between
his teeth. when Freckes had only just
begun fighting. He sprang back with
shrill laughter.
"Begolly, and will your honor be
whisting the hornpipe for me 10 be
dancing Off" he cried
Spang went his fist into Wessners
face. and be was past him into the
swale.
And would you be pleased to tune
up little liveher?' he gasped and
clipped his ear as he sprang back.
Wessner iunged at him In blind fury
Freckles. seeing an opening. forgot the
laws of a gentleman's game and drove
the toe of his heavy wading boot into
Wessner's middle until be doubled up
and fell heavily. In a fash Freckles
was on him. For time Mclean could
not see what was happening. go.
Go 10 him nowp' he commanded him
self. but so intense was his desire to
zee the boy win alone that he could
not stir.
At last Freckles sprang up and back
ed away Timer be yelled like a
fury. BE getting up, Mr.. Wessner.
and don't be afraid of hurting me. I'll
let you throw in an extra hand and
lick you to me complate satisfaction,
all the same. Did you hear me call
the limit? VIII you get up and be
facing me?'
As Wessner struggled to his feet he
resembed a battlefield. for his cloth
ing was in ribbons and his face and
hands streaming blood
IL guess l got enough" he num-
bled
"Oh. do youT roared Freckles. |
well, this amt your say. You come
on to me ground lying abCuG me boss
and intimatin I'D stale from his very |
pockets. Now, will you be standing |
up and taking your medicine like
man or getting it poured down the
throat of you like a baby: / amt got
enough. This is only just the begin
ulng with me. Be looking out there!'
He sprang against Wessner and sent
him rolling He attacked the unre-
sisting figure and fought him until he
lay limp and still ana Freckles had
no strength left to lift an arm. Then
he rose and stepped back. gasping for
breath. With his first good lungful
of air be shouted. Time But the
figure of WeSSner lay motionless.
Freckles watched him with regard
full eye and saw at last that he was
completely exhausted He bent over
him and. catching him by the back of
the neck, jerked him to his knees.
Wessner lifted the face of a whipped
,ur and. fearing further punishment.
burst into great shivering sobs. while
he tears washed tiny rivulets through
he blood and muck. Freckles step
ped back. glaring at Wessner, but sud-
ienly the scowl of anger and the ugly
lisfguring red faded from the boys
face. He dabbed at cut on his tenn
Die, from which issued a tiny crimson
stream, and jauntily shook back his
lair. His face took on the innocent
ook of a cherub, and his voice RI
,aled that OF brooding dove. but
nto his eyes crept look of diabolical
mischief.
He glanced vaguely about him until
le saw his club. seized and twirled 1t
ike a drum major. stuck 1t upright in
he muck and marched on tiptoe over .
o Wessner mechanically. as puppet
worked by string. Bending over.
Treckles reached an arm about Wess-
lers waist and helped him to his feet. :
Careful. now" he cautioned; be !.
areful. Freddy. There's danger of you =:
lurting me-"
Fishing handkerchief from a back I;
Iocket. Freckles tenderly wiped Wess-
er's eyes and nose.
Come. Freddy, me child" he ad- !
nonished Wessner: ITS time little ;
oys were getting home. I've me work !.
o do and can't be entertaining you
- ,,,oro .,d,y Gonna bopls rOmor- =