Evening star., 1941-10-05


always went in to win in a hurry. He set such
knockout - which he generally did he be-
came spent in the later rounds. Dave was
not as Abe Tart intimated, gutter who
couldn't take it. 1t was unfair to label Dave
"Six-Round Smith," And it was unfair now
for Dave to be dying beyond that door without
getting another chance at the championship.
Since he was old enough to want anything,
he'd been preparing himself for it.
Hes conscious?" she whispered to the doc
tor. Can he understand" And as the doctor
nodded she pushed open the door.
]6RRvE's fzr was white mask IN which
only his eyes moved. Tears were rolling down
Aspirin's stubbled cheeks. Johnny Fell
stretched his lips to smile as he came along
side the high bed. Hello, Dave" he said.
You're looking fne.'
'S-sure are, D-Dave," Aspirin said hoarsely.
How d'you ffeel, Dave?"
Il lost" Dave said, the words coming
family from deep inside him. He wasn't in
terested in his condition. All that mattered to
Dave was that he'd lost his big chance.
"You made good fight, Dave" Johnny
Fell said. 1T was swell fight. There for a
minute in the fifth round, when you had
Harms on the ropes ="
".Six- Round Smith, Dave said from the
far depths of his hurt. Il guess amt got it.
Johnny. guess never had it when the chips
were down."
well. now. Dave, there's going to be
another -"
"Dave!" Connie broke in, and she shot
warning glance to Johnny Fell. Dave! What
are you talking about? Don't you remember"
Il went through the ropes in the elev-
enth ="
Eyes, of course, but don't you remember
after that? Don't you remember the hcetth
round? Don't you remember getting off the
floor when Harms knocked you through the
ropes. and going back into the ring fighting.
and then knocking him out in the next round?"
LIE first faint show of expression came on
Dawes mask-like face. Knocking - him -
out?" he said slowly.
why, of course, Dave! You licked Lou
Harms! You won!"
Dave lay there, looking up at her. Aspirin
drew in another trembling breath. Dawes face
had slowly assumed perplexed expression.
"Won?'
'Oh, darling, you were wonderful! You
sapped him with body blows, then raised your
sights and chopped him down. The mob went
wild. They had to carry the champ out. He
didn't come to for ten minutes. Say!" She
turned to Johnny Fell. I'm bet Dave doesn't
remember thing about it! III bet he doesn't
remember anything after he went through the
ropes in the eleventh and hit his head on the
foor That's priceless, isn't it, Johnny! He
won the championship and doesn't even
remember it!'
That's good" agreed Johnny, picking up
the cue. 'You must have been out on your
feet, Dave. I guess that's why you keeled over
in the dressing room. after the fight
II won?" Dave said. not as a question,
but in the way man will speak of a sacred
thing or miracle. A tiny rising overtone was
coming in the thin drone of his voice, and far
back in his eyes was faint growing light.
Then I'm the - the - I'm the champion.
Champion of the World
Eyes, darling" Connie met the doctors
glance, and nodded understandngly. We've
got to go now, Dave. Goodby. darling.
Goodby, Dave"
The overhead light grew yellow as daylight
came. Johnny Fell's white hands did the trick