The Little River news., 1922-10-14
Just a Mans Way
By JOHN PALMER
lN. I92.. by Western Newgpaper Untpn.


 the girl on the stage. He had Djevrr ! seen her before, and, as he swayed and peered and blinked something seemed wrong somehow. She was not like any of the other women of the dance hall. Not more said. Her pale brown hair, braided in two long tresses, hung down her back. Her slight figure moved in the dance ; what she sang could not be distin- guished in the uproar.
 But it was the look on her face, Enlightened, lf-defant, and who- ly innocent that arrested him. What l was she doing in Big Pete's saloon?
 Hello, Bob!" shouted a miner, skipping him on the back. "What'a yoms?"
 I'm not drinking" he responded sullenly, turning his back.
 The other looked after him and grinned. Guess even Bob the Soak $ had as much as he can stand for" he said to Big Pete. 'New gel, eh?''
 "Some gel, ain't she!' responded Big Pete with wink. "Bit shy, but she'll get used to it. They all do."
 He cackled Say, would va believe it, when I was down in Montreal l an swered her advertisement for show 1 stuff and kidded her into thinking had a reg'lar theater up here. LOT, what fools women are"
 Bob ain't drinking"
 Big Pete growled Say, Henson's going to kick that feller out of his camp" he said. "Don't do nothing but drink, he says"
 "Who is he? Sorter gentleman, l pears to me-.
 "Oh. one of them New York guys gone wrong, l guess answered Big ] Pete carelessly. Got q cabin some where up north-made a pile trapping and blew in every cent here before 1 summer come. Suthin' wrong with him somewhere "
 Bob. watching the girl on the stage, felt things that he had sworn never l to feel again. It was true he had 1 once been a gentleman: there had been a woman who tricked him-lofd, what a fool he had been!
 The girl had finished dancing ihd was making her way timidly from Yhe platform toward the back door of Big Pete's. A miner stretched out an arm like a steers haunch barring her way. Bob knew him; he was Black Cardi- gan, the bully of the mining camp. Black Cardigan was just now inebriat- ed to the point Of affability
 Hello, my dear; here's Il knee for y0u,' he said.
 "Oh. please let me go,' said the girl. looking about her in terror.
 Black Cardga laughed and pulled her into his lap. The miners grnlned. They were cood-hearted fellows, but what had she come to Pete's saloon for?
 The girl struggled vainly in Black Cardigan's arms. Bob stroGe forward. Let her go!" he commanded tersely.
 Black Cardigan looked at him in surprise. The miners set up a shout. It was amusing to see Bob the Soak, despised of all the camp setting up as champion.
 Black Cardigan released the girl, stood up slowly, and drove his fist into Bob'S face with a force that sent him reeling to the floor.
 Instantly Bob was on his feet again. All trace of the liquor had gone from his brain. He remembered that at college he had been the amateur heayyweight champion. It was long since he had remembered. As Black Cardgan's sneering face was thrust forward he dealt him a blow that set the blood flowing.
 In almost an instant q ring was cleared, tables were flung aside. They faced each other. Bob knew that one sweep of the others powerful arm could stretch him Senseless. But Black Cardigan had only strength. He rushed in with q heavy body blow, was flung back, haltstunned came on again. They clinched, broke away. Bob. standing up under fearful short arm punishment, watched for his chance His right shot to the giants jaw.
 Black Cardigan, with a surprised look in his eyes, toppled to the floor and lay there
 Amid a stupefed silence Bob walked quietly through the back door. Out side cr0uched the girl of the dance hall. They faced each other.
 twill you come?' asked Bob gently.
 "Where?' she cried historically. "Oh, help me. Take me away! I've no one, noWhere-'
 'Will you trust me?" he asked.
 She looked at him, then placed her hand upon his arm. And without an other word they started through the shining summer night northWard, to- ward freedom