Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-04-18
'DoC'!'
BY
BY HAROLD TITUS.
Author OF ITO the Victor"
Copyright
The Frank A. Munsey Company
The Frank A. Munsey Company


The babel dwindled suddenly. as
though theme OF thought and comment
had been sharply broken. and at one
point the crowd thinned, drawing
away from The stranger in their midst
with whispered word here and there
and Il half hidden. half ashamed sri'
mace bel ween men.
Eyes we're on Ellis. Hardy as he
stood alone, his gaze, in turn. on Fred
Little Foot, with cue under one arm.
counting his winnings slowly laborl'
ously, suspicious even of his hencnman
who had hello the stakes.
4 spreading chuckle replaced the
lningline ol spoken words -- aud the
whispers became many. As Hardy
shifted 10 look at thos" OiheTs-saw
that he stood alone and Ga2ed from
one to ano,her- their eyes turned
from him.
Then Little Foot looked up, lull into
the face of the physician.
He squared his shoulders with a
swasger and looked quickly at the
Sinking faces which swung toward
him with anticipatory lights in the
ewes. Then he moved and dropped his
gaze for an instant.
"Wau.nun.tuck. you are next ne
said. addressing the doctor with his
native word and flashing a gliltering
glance at Hardy while the others
stirred IN delight at This manifesto
lion Of he bu .ying spirt. Il viii play
pool wi h you for this he he VI
the bills he had won-"and This much
more
He reached into his pocket and drew
out a handful of silver. THAT Is
thiuy.fiye dollars" he said. and looked
nm. souinting leer through the smoke
OF his cigarette.
Hardy was drawn in
lie would have felt easier with HIM
self TO decline the challenge and go
his way with the knowledge that his
hands had not been dirtied by dab
bling in such Il petty transaction.
We, ne had gone into that place Tor
the definite purpose of searching FOR
Il way which might let him show me
crowd now about him, watching nm,
that he was worthy OF being taken
seriously.
And he knew that TO retire would
make him more than ever the Object
of this gangs derision-this gang
which watched him so closely, so 81
lently, suppressing their chuckleS 70
hear his answer. certain That accept
ance of the challenge meant loss lor
the newcomer, and that refusal to play
would justify their estimate OF nm
and make him fair game for their con
linued ridicule.
They would believe that he feared
such an encount er-.that he feared as
well the loss of money. He might con
vince them some time that such was
not so--but il would be the long way
around. and many things might tran
spre before they could be won over
So he said easily
"All right. Who is to hold the
stakes
The crowd breaihcd again and be-
ran muttering delightfully."- while Llttle
Foot. with laugh, tossed his money
TO the table Hardy opened his Dill
hook, counted Out an amount to cover
,hc wager, saw the loose'lipped youth
lake il up, then turned to he cne-rack
and selected his stick.
They chalked their cues $3.50 HARDY
looking full on the Indian and Llltle
Foot. conscious Of the gaze. ayertlns
his eyes, stu smiling the contemptu
Gus smile. 4n
Look at me, Little Foot"
The low-spoken. imperative words
sent another hush down like smoth
etlng blanket and the Indian looked
m. ready .Offense in his face, along
with the surprise.
For u breath Hardy's gaze bored
into the boys hard and cold. Then
he said. 4, &t
I'm going to beat you, Little
Foot"
Simply, and In the same even voice
Then put down his block OF chalk anc
drew his hat further forward TO make
an eye.shade
il was unexpected, unprecedented.
There was no boastine in the tone
merely sane determination. and the eff
feel on the watchers was tremendous
or a sudden they found themselves ia
king Hardy seriously, knowing no
Il why; they looked at one another with
" out Inirth---more, as though fired hl
Nv I. sudden, wholesome interest. = 1865 !.
flA. Nv a nv N ~ III. m 4e N sl' 4N