River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1914-04-09

"You could be hurt so easily" he said.
to make an explanation which the
warm light of admiration in his eyes
belied.
Il mean because maybe you have
opened my eyes to the crooked deal
ing that has been going on"
You have surprised me" she urged.
1T seemed to me that it is SO general
Iy understood that prizefghting is full
Of crookedness that | cannot under
stand how you, one Of it's chief ex-
ponents, could be ignorant of it. |
thought as a matter of course that you
would know all about it. and now you
have convinced me that you never
dreamed of it. You must be different
from other fighters"
He nodded his head.
That explains it. | guess. And that's
what comes of keeping away from
it-from the other fighters and pro-
moters and sports. 1t was easy to
pull the wool over my eyes. Yet it re-
mains to be seen whether it has really
been pulled over or not. You see,
am going to find out for myself"
And change it?' she queried, rather
breathlessly, convinced somehow that
be could do anything he set out to ac-
complish.
NO; quit it," was his answer. IF
it isn't straight | won't have anything
more to do with it. And one thing is
certain: this coming fight with Nat
Powers won't end in the sixteenth
round If there is any truth in that
editors tip. they'll all be fooled. In
stead of putting him out in the six
teenth. I'll let the fight run on into
the twenties You wait and see.''
"And I'm not to tell the editor?"
She was on her feet now, preparing
to go.
Certainly not. If be is only guess
ing, let him take his chances. And If
there's anything rotten about it he de-
serves to lose all he bets. This is to
be little secret between you and me-
I'll tell you what III do. I'll name
the round to you. | won't run it into
the twenties I'll stop Nat Powers in
the eighteenth"
And I'll not whisper it." she as
sured him.
I'D like to ask you a favor" he
said tentatively. Maybe it's a big
favor"
She showed her acquiescence in her
face, as if 1t were already granted,
and he went on:
"Of course | know you won't use
this taking in the interview. But |
want more than that. don't want
you to publish anything at ALL"
She gave him a quick look with her
searching gray eyes. then surprised
herself by her answer.
Certainly" she said ut will not be
published. won't write a line of it,"
Il knew it," he said simply
For the moment she was disappoint.
ed by the lack of thanks. and the next
moment she was glad that he had NOT
thanked her.
She sensed the different foundation
he was building under this meeting OF
an hour with her. and she became dar-
ingly explorative.
How did you know it," she asked.
II don't know He shook his head
Il can't explain it. | knew it as a
matter of course. Somehow it seems
to me know a lot about you and me-"
But why not publish the interview?
AS your manager says, it is good ad-
vertising."
Il know it, he answered slowly.
But l don't want to know you that
way. l think it would hurt if you
should publish it. | don't want to
think that knew you professionally.
Id like to remember our talk here as
talk between a man and a woman.
] don't know whether you understand
what I'm driving at. But it's the way
l feel | want to remember this just
as man and woman"