Evening star., 1923-03-11
BY
ALBERT PAYSON
TERHUNE

ring-earnings, he bet half Of this
sum, at approximately even money,
on his winning of the fight. The rest,
through commissioners, he placed at
odds averaging three to ono, that she
would win 1t in five rounds or less.
Seldom had a sporting proposition ap-
peared safer.
On the night OF the battle the men
shuffied out of their bathrobes and
came 20 the center Of the ring for the
referees instructions.
The gong rang: and the fight was
on.
Spike at once took the aggressive.
Of meeting his man, foot to foot. In
stead. he retreated before the onset.
backing lightly away; dancing just
out Of reach; sparring at long range.
And, while he did this. he broke an
other ring rule Of his. by talking dur
ing bout.
Spike, my friend" he said, dis
tinctly enough for the pursuing cham
pton to catch every syllable. she
warned you It was only a fairy story.
And 1t was.-Anyone but a boob
would know the top Of a mans head
has nothing to do with his eyes
Hammer me there, all you like
Hammer me there TIL you break
every bone in both your hands
You're ont for a killing. hey? Well,
the killing is due. all right. Only.
you're the killee, not the killer.
Watch"'
AS he spoke, he halted in his gas
retreat. Kennedy had just Iaunched
a fierce left lead for his jaw. Duck
ing, Merle deliberately took the
mighty punch on the crown Of his
head. It's impact staggered him. But
that same impact sent shooting pains
up Spikes arm and numbed his hand
grinning.
II keep on seeing. better and BET
ter, all the time he announced. "Try
It again.
T>HEN Merle Benton bagan to fight.
i He assailed his foe, amidships;
never losing the aggressive.
In the fourth round Merle ripped a
Furnishing left-hander to the stomach.
and was following it with a right to
the heart; when. ratified and in agons.
Spike dropped his guard to protect his
meridian. In mid-air, Renton shifted
the right-handers course. and brought
1t flush to Spikes unguarded jaw.
Down went Kennedy, under the
punch. And down he stayed until the
Ing space badly. In the fifth round
he was knocked down twice; botL
times taking the full count Of n.ne
As he came up for the sixth round
Spike swayed drunkenly in his walk
From the crowd went up the world
old merciless shout OF blood-lust.
Finish him bawled the spectators.
Finish the big Stiff
Merle. unwearied, vibrant with en-
ergy, went steruly to his worn
Spike unrested by his minute Of sur
cease. strove to lift leaden arms tG
ward off the attack. Into his eyes had
ieaped craven fear
Renton checked his own ferociour
advance. He had caught and read
the look In his opponents strickeH
face. Instead Of launching the at
tack. he merely thrust forth his right
hand, palm open. Resting the palm
on Kennelly's chest, Merle gave d
gentle push. The New Zealander tot
tered backward and sat down hard, IL
mid-ring.
There he sat while tho referee
counted him out.
Merle Rentcn. ~elterweight chan.
pion of the east, bent down and
picked UP the sagging body. He ca
ried it to Spikes corner and turned
It over to the unloving ministrations
of the beaten mans handlers
TIN sorry." he whispered into the
puffed ear, I'm sorry, old man. If
If a loan will help you. till you se,
into your stride again, let me know
fCopyrjabt All H;ob+s p.ss-r,x,