Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-06-15

mo"
"Twenty-four?"
Gimme that ring' When Gray
made no move the speaker ran on,
excitedly: I'm of age. It's none
of your business what | donor
PAS or Mas either 1t won't do no
good for them to come
+, GRAY went to the door, locked it
and pocketed the key. Buddy
his voice was firm, his face was set
you are a man, yes, although
you were only a boy few weeks
ago. You are going to act like a
man, now"
You goin' to try an hold me
here?" The inquiry was one of
mingled astonisment and anger,
for young Briskow could scarcely
believe his eyes. Don't do that,
Mr.. Gray. Nobody can't make
me do anything. Please don't!
That's plumb folish."
One of US is going to. remain in
/ this room, and ! think it will be
you" As Gray spoke he jerked off
his coat and flung it aside. Bet
ter strip Buddy, if you mean to
try it,"
Buddy recoiled step. Incredu-
lousy he exclaimed. 'You-you
wouldn't try that! This is my room,
You must be crazy"
81 think l am, indeed, to endure
what / have endured these last two
days; to make myself ridiculous ;
to be Inundated; to risk my bust
ness ruin just to save a young fool
from his folly" Impatience, resi-
eminent, anger were in the speak
er's tone.
Ozark Briskow, too, had reach
ed the limit of his endurance; he
exploded Momentarily he lost his
head and cursed Gray Wiley. For
answer the latter moved close and
slapped him across the mouth,
saying:
Fight, you IDIOT"
Buddy's low, gasping cry had the
effect Of a roar; it left the room
echoing, then savagely he lunged
at his assailant He was blind, in
him was sudden maniacal impulse
to destroy; he had no thought of
consequences. Gray knocked him
down.
As Buddy Briskow rose to his
knees he CROPPED for the nearest
weapon, the nearest missile, some
thing-anything with which to
Stay. His hand fell upon. a heavy
n,etal Vase, and with CHS he strucb
wickedly as Gray closed with him,
This time they went down together
and rolled across the floor.
The legs of a desk crashed and a
hitler Of writing materials was
spilled over them.
Gray was the first to regain his
feet, but his shirt had been torn
half off and he tasted blood upon
his lips. He had met strong men in
his time, but never had he felt such
a rochike mass of bone and muscel
as now.
Hesdodged an awkward swinging
blowEfron che giant and sent him
Keeling. Buddy FETCHED up against
the Solid wall with 4 crash ,fol
Gray had centered every pound OF
! his weight behind the punch, but
the countryman rebounded like a
thing of rubber and again they
clinched,
Straining with each other they
ricocheted against tables anc
)! chairs, and only the fact that much
of the furniture was padded, and
the floor thickly carpeted, prevent
ed the sound Of their struggle from
alarming the occupants OF the hall
and the lobby,
Buddy's face had been hammer
ed to pulp, but Gray was groan-
ing; he could breathe only from
the top Of his lungs, and the bones
OF his left hand had been telescop-
ed. Agonizing pains ran clear to his
: shoulder, and the hand itself was
well-nigh useless.
1t was an extraordinary combat
certainly the walls of this luxur-
ious suite had never looked down
upon a scene so strange as this
fight between friends. how long it
continued, neither man knew-not
a great while, surely, measured by
the clock but an interminable time
as they gagged it. Nor could Calvin
Gray afterward recall just how it
came to an end. He vaguely re-
membered Buddy Briskow weaving
loosely, rocking forward upon I'M
certain legs, blindly cropping for
hlm-the memory was like that OF
a figure seen dimIy through a mist
of dreams-then he remembered
calling up his last reserve of fail
ing vigor. Even as he launched the
blow he knew it was a knockout
The colossus fell, lay motionless.
1t was a moment or two before
Gray could summon strength tc
lend succor, then he righted an
armchair and dragged Buddy into
it. He reeled as he made for the
bathroom, for he was desperate
ly sick; as he wet towel mean
while clinging dizzily to the faucet
his rejection leered forth from the
mirror battered, repulsive
T rFrTYNNJED r.