Evening star., 1923-03-11
Down went Merle Renton, face for

! Slowly, from q billion miles away,
Merle Renton crawled back to con-
| sciousness. His head was racked and
rent with intolerable torment. His
mind was rs blank as were his shut
ana Quivering eyes. His nrst semi
clear Impression was tho sound Of
Constantin's voice chanting: "TEN!"
In . rush, memory came back to
Merlo. For the hrst time in his clean
ring career, he slammed. He con-
tinued to lie, In seeming unconscious
ness, while his seconds lifted him and
carried him to his corner and wrought
over him.
The arena was rocking with the
plaudits OF the crowd. It had been a
good night, with q charmingIy unex-
pected twist at the end and a sensa-
tional knockout.
Presently, Merle heard Brace, his
manager, tell tho seconds to carry
him to his dressing room. AS he was
laid on the table, Merle whispered
his managers name. Instantly Brace
was leaning over him.
You're all right, now, old man"
Brace said cheerily. Don't try to get
up yet. WE'LL"
Send all the others out" painted
Merle.
Wondering, Brace obeyed.
They're ali gone" he reported,
coming back to the table. What did
you want to say to me?"
hts sightless eyes. They looked un-
seeingiy past Brace. For a moment,
the manager stared bewildered, into
the blank orbs. Then he cried out, as
in physical pain.
NO" he yelled. no! Good Heaven,
man: 1t can't be you're----''
I'm blind" Renton. made simple
reply Tn blind. He heeled me In
the instep, in that last clinch. was
too sick to block his swing, as We
came out OF II. He got me between
the eyes. And It put my sight out of
business. Then he knocked me out"
THE filthy swinet roared Brace,
half blubbering. "I'll murder him
for this-if I 60 to the chair for It!
Wait. I'm going to send for the best
doctor in town. For all the doctors
in town. 1'm-'
Como back" ordered Merle, glow
ering In his general direction. Come
back here! You'll stay where you
are. I'm not going to have a lot of
doctors running here. and have the
whole story get around town and be
IN every paper tomorrow. never yet
squealed or made excuses. And I'm
not going TO begin now. l.
But, man-!'
Get me home" ordered Eenton;
get me home In q rush. Don't tell
any OF the boys about Il. Say I'm too
grogsy to walk alone. and kind OF
and away from tho bunch. Then it'll
be time enough to send for Doc
Meagher."
Nor could Brace move him from his
sullen resolve. In the cab, on the way
to Renton's fiat Merle explained, 'if
evcr l got my eyes back. I'll pay the
bill owe Kennedy. II don't get
'eua back. I'm not letting any one else
pay * for me. IL kind Of hate to
talk tonight. 7 guess I'd rather we
didn't say anything more, just now.
I got too much to look forward to.
And then, there's-there's Lindar
TT you'd like me to go upstairs,
ahead OF you," suggested Brace, ner-
vously, "and break it to the wife,
NO" refused Merle. Linda don't
belong to the sa!velly bneed that has
to have rotten news broke to 'em. If
I can stand this. she can. And like
wise she will. And she'll help me-"
THE rest OF tho drive was made in
i silence. The taxi stopped in
front OF a fiat-house. On tho steps
stood q woman and man. The
woman was Renton's wife, the man
a doctor for whom Brace had tele-
pho,ed as they left the clubhouse.
Linda did not scream or have hys-
terics. She took Merle's cropping
hands in her own firm grasp. as Rem
ton stepped biunderingly out of the
taxicab. Then, with Dr.. Meagher on
his other side and with Brace miser-
ably following, she led him into the
house and up to the little nat that
was their homo.
It was not until DR.. Meagher had
made every possible examination un-
der tho circumstances and had de-
parted, promising TO call early In the
morning with q great specialist OF his
acquaintance-it was not until Brace
had wrung Merle's hand and .Linda's
ana stamped away IN Meagher's
wake-it was not until she and her
stricken husband were alone to-
xether IN their living room that Linda
let herself go.
Then. gathering the blind head in
breast. munnuring love words Of en-
grooming to the sufferer
a to sick child.
'oh, girl Of mine!" Merle muttered
chokinsly, ''Girl, dear, what'm I 60
ing TO DOR
"Its going to be all right, dearie."
she soothed. '"It's going to be all
right. We got along when we were
so dead broke. And we got on when
when baby died. We can get on.
now. Because we're together. You've
got my eyes 70 see with and my
hands to work for you. And--and
I'm prouder Of you, for tho way
you're taking this. than IL you won
every fight in q single punch"
"what'd ever do to have this
wished on met" Merle sroaned. "rve
played square. You know have. girl.
rye done what I could to be white
man. Sometimes I've fell short. but