Glacier County chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1931-1940, 1939-03-17
CHAPTER IIl-Continued

along. Why spoil a dancer" 80.
Behind them the group broke up
as quickly as it had formed. Men
returned to their partners and
swung on with the music. But when
the waltz ended Brock felt a heavy
grip on his shoulder. He whirled
from it and confronted Art Tillson.
It was handsome, arrogant face
that he stared into; not much more
than a boys. It had the sharp-fea-
tured Tillson strength, save for dull,
somber eyes. Even this moments
rage did not hide that deep brood
ing.
rs this fellow botherin' you, Lou
ise?" he asked. "If he is"
"Art!" she broke in, you're a
little bit drunk. Go outside for
awhile" 1t was a command, given
as if she expected to be obeyed,
and for second the boy seemed on
the verge of going.
But then he looked at her sullen-
ly. THROWN me DOWN."
mo, of course not!"
"You cut dance" Tillson swayed
unsteadily, clutched her wrist and
started to draw her close. "Come
on. Louy, this is mine"
Breck saw her hold back. He
stepped between them, forcing
young Tillson away with his elbow.
The boy whirled, his face livid and
frightened into knots over his jaw. He
stood with eyes narrowed in the
way Breck had already seen Jud
narrow his.
"Buttin' in, are you'll" he snarled.
Want to fight about it,"
The music had stopped. Every
body had turned. waiting. -Breck's
mind worked swiftly.
Well" he heard Tillson sneer,
"are you crawlin' OFT"
mot q Bit"
"Come outside them"
why outsider" Breck demanded.
whats the matter right here?"
Outside, in the dark with few to
see, was not what he wanted. He
glanced at the stage, then beckoned
to grinning cowboy in the crowd.
Get up there and clear a ringl
You're going to have showl"
The puncher yelled and others
Joined him. They leaped across the
old footlight trench and booted the
orchestra from their chairs. A
squared circle was made in the
wreckage of broken scenery. They
tried to roll the curtain up but it
stuck halfway.
sAll right" Breck cried. spring
ing ahead Of young Tillson. This
acts oursi"
Halt q dozen cowhands had ap-
pointed themselves seconds on each
side; one stepped into the square to
referee. None was too steady on
his feet. Tillson's first plunge at
Brock knocked the referee into the
scenery and after that no other vol
unteered.
Breck had counted on his knowl-
edge Of boxing. He found instantly
that this was a fight. Tillson came
with head lowered, right arm driy-
ing with killing force. and followed
up with a left equally powerful.
When Breck struck, it was as il his
dsts had crashed into iron. He saw
brown, mallet-lilke thing rise, and
partly turned that blow from his
jaw. yet faces spun about him dizzi-
ly. A roar filed the room.
Stepping back, he gained his bal
Ance, judged his position better and
closed in before Tillson had recov-
cred for Q fresh attack. He jabbed
as their bodies locked, heard q
grlnted oath, took q terrific thrust
against his own side. Two arms
frightened about him, crushing his
ribs. Tillson's head rose under his
chin, snepped his head back, butted,
upward until breathing was stopped.
He tried to struggle out, found him.
self powerless, and then the truth
Of this fight came in q mad surge
Of strength. Art would kin him II
be could.
With that, an semblance Of what
the city was pleased to call civiliza-
ton slipped from him. He had no
deht i - feelnGs - thought sess'
one-tear OF this thing.
Locked in Tillsou's arms, he let
himself drop backward, squirmed
from the embrace n Tillson RELAXED
h falling and was free a. they
struck the floor. Instantly thn he
sprang up. took the advanfaee and
struck Tie other down The moment
h. rooe.
ne roar that had A1lsd ~ eoom
did suddenly. ailence mn1s him
eenncioU a thhO ou1si1a - bat-
- - .