Evening star., 1932-04-03


at the party below ..'
She paused.
Why you ought to know he's fighter. My
Irish mother married just such man. Ano'
Greg, he fought his way from Ninth avenue
tenement to the top crust. That's why I'm mere
on your yacht listening to your proposal.
IT know you care for me, Greg. I care Tor
you; but not enough to marry you"
She hesitated in awe of the penalty OF frank
ness.
why? Because you are not fighter. And
he is one," nodding her head at the Hannah
Murphy. There's that in me that Graves
man who fights for what he wants..
Her head unconsciously fell into aluring pro-
file toward the man she arraigned.
My father, Boss Lascelle, could fight Greg
really fight. With his fists. He had to. The
life of a tough neighborhood, in rough days,
when rough men were working their way up to
a physical and political power! Such a life Is
foreign to you, Greg, and it's inbred in me. II
Dad hadn't been able to square away; give and
take body punishment in plenty of real scraps,
well-he would not be the Boss Lascelle you
know today. think man should be like that.
real man. Hard and tough and brave
Eve subsided in whisper.
Greg lifted his chin and looked Eve square
in the eyes.
Il used to box Eve" he said simply. Per-
haps I'm soft now; neither hard, nor tough
nor brave"
Greg, I'm a beast" Tears sparkled under
moonlight in Ewes eyes. But my dear, I'd
like to see you prove it to down a good man
in fair fight. Win fight between flesh and
fesh and skill and skill. adore my father.
Greg. And that's his kind of man. It's my
kind"
There's our fighting man poked right into
action" responded Greg, whose keen glance
had long since joined Ewes in resting the
stern of the Hannah Murphy, where reposed
the man he sensed to be his ultimate rival.
A N aura of enchantment clothed the Hannah
Murphy, due to the mesmerizng influence
of moonlight. The red-haired dozer was sud-
denly approached by deck companion who
slapped him heartily on his bare shoulder. cry
ing
Wake up. Big Boy!''
Followed five minutes of friendly, active SPAR
ring between the two. Red was easily the
superior. They closed in clinch, broke and
both leaned against the stained rail of the old
ship, arms looped over each others shoulders.
HE sure can box" admitted Greg. but at
that, think could trim him" He and Eve
had watched the exchange avidly.
II don't believe you could, Greg You may
box expertly, but you're not At; not in his class
Of condition"
"Praps you're right Eve" Greg appeared to
be lost in thought for moment Anyway"
he continued, "I like him and like his style.
I'm going to have him over to talk to us for a
few minutes" shrill whistle sprang from his
lips 1t pierced the friendly absorption of the
two deckhands. Then his raised voice reg
istered:
'1 say! You with the red hair, come over
here and see a minute, will you?"
"Sure!" Red sang blithely Comm overl"
The fighters muscles cleaned as he went
over the side of the Hannah Murphy, stepping
with 1.-THE balance into an ancient punt
alongside He sculled over to the Versailles.
anl .,ti1 f,a ad hnr
shining gangway, where Greg and Eve awaited
him.
Bates is my name-call me Gregi And this
Is Miss LAscelle. We were just watching you
and your pal mixing it up a bit. why say,
man, you're good!"
Thanks Greg! My names Red McAllister!"
Red was at home the Versailles he
appeared to be on the Hannah Murphy You've
got the build of a man who may have mixed
things up that way yourself. Got any gloves
aboard? Let's try out a round or two. I'm
looking for competition"
Eve stood spelbound. This man had person.
ality plus. She sure it had been he she
had watched on that November day-the star
Of his team. She waited breathlessly for Greg's
reply to this veiled challenge.
"Oh, let's not put 'em tonight, old sont
just wanted to meet you and drag you below
to my cabin for little chat. I've not put on
the gloves since college. four years ago. I'm
soft-too soft You'd swab up the deck with
me now. Come below with me- I've a PROPOSE
tion for you. Don't mind, do you?"
Lead me it it," Reds face lit up in sunny
fashion, "only it's a shame to leave Miss
Lascelle here by herself. Can't she come with
us?"
"She doesn't mind being alone" Greg said,
and there was something in his voice that made
Red drop the idea. He said
"It's mighty pleasure to meet you, Miss
LAscelle" Simply said. Nothing more, ex-
cept that he could not keep his eyes from row.
ing over Ewes engaging beauty, as she stood
there regarding him. AS he followed Greg to
the companionway, Red flashed look Of
alteration over his shoulder at the slim, beauti-
fl,n.a