The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-07-24

stand up against Bent for six rounds
and win that thousand?"
The dream Of the i've thousand
stirred secretly in Joe's heart. but,
like a practical man. he had put it
away. IF Bent doesn't recognize me-
he replied.
He put the thought of Bent's face
out OF his mind too, and set to work
training. Joe had never got much out
of condition, but he lost a lot Of fat
and put on a lot of muscle during the
next months. Everybody remarked
that Joe was easier in the ring,
handler, too. His mustache was the
subject of some banter. Perhaps Joe
had been premature, but he knew that
the cheap club which he coached was
not likely to be represented at the
Bent show except as individual spec
tators.
It was a breathless evening for Mol
ly, and she clenched her hands in fury
as Bent stepped into the ring.
"One thousand dollars for any gent
that can stand up for six rounds" an
nounced ALT Jackson. Five thou
sand for q win on points"
The local champion came into the
ring. He squared up to Bent. who
grinned and Knocked him. The cham
pion's blows fell like thistledowr
upon Bent's body. With q few seconds
to spare Bent put all his force into Q
Highlander The local champion
dropped like log. The manager ant
his friends carried out the limp body
"Mr. Joseph Sonally!" announced
the manager.
And Molly saw Joe step into the
ring. She watched Bent's face, hold
ing her breath with apprehension
But Bent did not know Joe. HI
played with him, not knowing tina
Joe was playing, in his turn. Pres
emily the champions fist shot forward
Joe turned his head and the force fel
upon air. And as Bent lurched ant
swayed Joe's fist went hard into hi
mouth. Bent went to the ground.
A roar went up from the spectator
as Bent at his seconds knees, grin
ly wiped away the blood from his Gu
LID. Everybody was looking at Joe
who was cool as q cucumber. Mol
was prouder of him than she had eve
been. This was moral, not physica
strength, the kind any woman Nigh
be proud of. The second round b
gan. Bent came forward like tige
and rained blow upon blow againi
Joe's face and body. Some OF th
blows told, some failed. The end {
the second round had certainly bee
Bent's.
II In the third round Bent seemed
realize that he was up against som
thing tough. He looked uncertain
into Joe's face. Joe played with hi
as Bent had played-played until !
saw the sudden light of recognition
Bent's eyes. saw the sneer which
had dreaded about his mouth.
And in place of the anticipated fe'
Joe felt a wild exultation. He So
that the others nerve was gone. /
/ leaped at Bent. His own blows dro'
| the champion round the ring. Shriel
of delight went up all round the circl
men stood up and waved their ha
| and yelled themselves hoarse. Tin
was approaching. Joe had been wa
| ing for that. AS Bent turned at b
1 and tried his famous punch Joe ga
him his, with every ounce OF B
strength. Bent dropped senseless.
N "Time!" yelled ALI Jackson.
5l But time" for Bent meant thrt
/ quarters of an hour before the flick
of an eyelash betrayed the return
consciousness And Joe was hoist
!. on the shoulders of the crowd, viii
. had recognized him.
a Bravo, Joe! You came back, Joe
a they yelled.
. But Molly knew that Joe had col
back to her-and to their child
another sense than that.
n a