The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1946-07-04
Guaranty of Faith
Bv CHARLES W. PURVIS
Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Features.
eco YOU think it can't be done?

viz canvas SQ14oSC VI tifS htSoNJ
bag. Got a fight for you Friday
night with Red Mike Croseau," he
announced in a matter-of-fact way.
What do we get out of it,"
Peanuts" blandly said Logan,
examining his nails.
Then what're we takin' it for?
We been through enough prelims
and semi-finals to land something
decent now. Maybe I need a new
manager!"
Hold it," snapped Logan. Red
may be eight years older than you.
but he's in good shape and he can
pin your ears any day. And the
smart money lads know it, espe-
cially since you lost that last M
to Kennedy"
II wasn't feelin' right for that
one. but I'm in top shape now"
TOP shape, huh? Do you think
two hours a day in the gym and
the whole night in joints keeps you
in shape?" Hill sucked in his
breath as he took a long step toward
his manager.
Skip it and listen to me We can
beat this game if we use our heads.
I've just bet so bucks on you to
win, even money, with Reds man
ager."
"It's a cinch," assured Hill.
That's what I want them to think
that I'm Jul you a win. But
we're going to bet our shirts on
Red. We know you're going to lose!"
I'm going to what?" yelled Hill,
closing the distance between them.
Look, George" placated his
manager. "Mary's a nice girl and a
real locker, too. She won't wait for
ever And, besides, there's that old
shell wound in your shoulder. I'm
really not sure that you can win.
But I know that you can lose! I can
raise about five grand and we should
get better than even odds on it if
we shop around a bit - on Red, I
mean"
Hill searched Logan's face. FL
nally he nodded.
At the ringside Mary Warner
watched the last preliminary bout.
Blue-black curls looping from
under a small hat contrasted oddly
with the blue eyes.
At the opening bell for the main
event both men came slowly from
their corners. Croseau's chin was
well hidden behind his appraised left
shoulder. Hill circled his half.
crouched opponent, blocked a left
jab and countered lightly. Sudden
ly there was a sound like a wet
dish rag slapping the flat surface OF
a wall. The blow had been short
and vicious. Croseau teetered and
fell. AS the referees arm came
down for the 10th time he was still
making awkward efforts to rise to
his knees.
Logan stared in sla%ck-jawed dis
belief. As his right hand was being
raised, Hill waved the other ex-
citedly at Mary.
Logan thrust people savagely
aside and entered the dressing
room. He glared at the grinning
boxer stretched on the rubbing ia.
BILE. Hill" he ground out, you're
through - finished - washed up,
Do you hear me? I thought that girl
of yours would talk some sense into
you! She crossed me-" he fumed,
his voice rising. That simon-pure
objection of hers about not want
ing you to lay down, and then final
ly giving me the o. K. because she
didn't want Red to flatten that par
of yours! I should have known bet
ter. But there is one thing I dc
know-you are through"
Hill leaped off the dressing room
table and seized both lapels of Lo
gan's coat in his left hand. I'm
through, all right, Logan. because
I'm quitting. l didn't know yol
propositioned Mary about your rot
ten deal or Id have Dashed you Ions
ago. Fifty bucks guaranty of faith!
That was a laugh. Since when have
you cared what the fans think O.
your little deals so long as nobody
can pin anything on you? You knew
that I could whip Red. And aftel
that spiel of yours I knew that vol
knew it. I bet on myself to win
and at better than three to on
odds. And I'm goin' out like a man
not like a washed-out punk. Bea
it while I'm feelin' good" Hi
shove sent his ex-manager thump
ing into the closed door.
AS they walked III the directio,
of Mary's home. Hill frowned
Mary. Logan tells me that h.
spoke to you about some dirty bust
ness that he wanted me to do"
He did. darling, but l wanted
you to decide for yourself. You ma.
not have known it, but our futur'
tog.t Their was at stake
Il did know it," came the equal
ly sober reply. "One other thing.
can't see Logan tossing so dollar
away to Dawson ever to whitewasI
his crooked business"