The Coming of Bill

t Bailey in. Shesaid that Mrs. Porter was busy with her wr

, Bailey Bannister, was tobe refused admittance

. If it hadnot been for her and her absurd books Ruth would

tell her that I must see her atonce on a m

d upagainst Bailey's grand manner. The maid vanished meekly wi

boudoir. Books lined the walls. The furniture was strongand plain. At the window, on

n, ma'am," anno

aunt, without looking r

sat down. The gentle squea

ley c

eft hand of the writer rose and waggled

," spoke Bai

t and nothing more. Bailey,outraged, re

cceeded by the sound of paper vigorously blotted. Then, withstartling suddennes

Bailey?"

. Her eyes had the curiouseffect of driving

" she sa

xcellent opening speech whic

come here andruined my morning's work for the pleasure of

in her room. I made her breakfast in bed. Is there any messageI can g

t it is imperative that I see Ruth and ask her toexplain the meaning of a most disturb

Eat more. Avoid alcohol. Keep regular hours.""Aunt Lora!""Well?""I wish to see my sister.""You will have to wait. What did you wish to see her about?""That is a matter that concerns----No! I will tell y

hat fell to the floor. His stick followed. His mouth openedwidely. Hi

st suitable match in ever

bounded t

e shouted. "It's ridic

sports with about the same amount ofinterest which she w

er?""When I do, he will have reason to re

nothing. Ihave ceased to expect intelligence in man, and I am grateful for thesmallest grain. But physically, he is magnificent.

, of course, out of t

""Are you aware that Ruth, if she had wished, could have married aprince?""She told me. A little rat of a man, I understand. She had f

nothingfor the future of the race? You are not interested in e

as the colourheredity of the Andalusian fowl----"The colo

he said, rising. "I came hereto see Ruth,

d. She looked, to Bailey, insuffera

ere, when heought to be working like a good boy in Wall St

ou have been stirring his hidden

wer me one question. Aunt Lora informs me that you aregoing to marry this man Winfield. Is it or is

smoothed the n

now call upon this Mr. Winfieldand thrash

ked up Kirk's address inthe telephone-book, and

he opened thedoor. To George, nowadays, every ring at

infield at home?

ield that Mr. Bannister wishes to speak to him.""Yes, si

taxicab, Kirk, in boxingtrunks and a sleeveless vest, was

hey rested, atthe conclusion of their fifth and final round

across a new brand ofsimp this morning. Just before I came to you I'm scheduled to show upat one of these Astorbi

ut he throws outa line of talk that would make you wonder if it's safe to let him runaround loose. Says his mind's made up;

r you mind,' says he. '

spell, rolls hiseyes, and says: 'Search me. I've forgot

in my coco that big I'dphone to an alienist an

around the way I do."Kirk

etic mornings and you would care to give me a rub-down----""Sure," said Steve obligingly. He picked up his clothes and wentupstairs to the bathro

announced George Pe

mindis far away, between "Mr. Bannister" and "Miss Bannister" is not

hesaw, not Ruth, but a severe-looking young man, who advanced upon him

, his wandering witsreturning to their duties, he

never speculatedon any possible family that might be attached to her. To him Ruth wasRuth. He accepted the fact that she was Mrs. Porter's niece. That shemight also be somebody's d

ssivelybefore him, was conscious of a weakening of his determination toinflict bodily chastisement. The truth of Steve's remar

is chest and shoulders wasnot an inviting spe

There was nothing to begained by a vulgar braw

nthe gallery. The voices below halted him, and the sound of Bailey'sdecided him to remain where he was.

. My sister," said Baileybitterly, "has m

There's no hurry. Will you have a cigarette?""No, thank you."Kirk was puzzled

to say in two words, Mr

rs ofwhat has happened he will forbid it absolutely. Kindly dismiss fromyour mind entirely the idea that my sister wi

aughed r

Miss Bannister cares the slightest bit for me, forinstance; that I've one chance in a million of ever getting her to

everything. I have just seen my sister, and she told meherself in so many words th

hat a weight you've taken off my mind. You knowhow it is. A fellow falls in love and instant

an, if you hadn't come andtold me this I never

ve changed everything. Y

ay,George, I've got to rush away. See that Mr. Bannister has everything hewants. Get him some breakfast. Good-bye, old man." He grip

ce cup of hot tea and a rasher of'am,

im glassily, th

strode to the door and shot int

s part, was star

aid. "Very good, s

aking for the bathroom in order not to collide with Steve, whomhe found waiting

o marry Bailey's sister, Ruth, are you? You're the luckyguy. She's a queen!""Do _you_ know her, Steve?""Do I know her! Didn't I tell you I was the tame physical instructor inthat palace? I wish I had a dollar for every

ly, and vanished into thebathroom. A sound

upon the door. Th

" calle

rage you, squire, but----"The doo

said?""About his father?""Sure. It goes."Kirk came

r?" he asked, seating

" said Steve with empha

iety walk-over, with the Four Hundred looking on from thepews and poppa signing cheques in the background. Say, did I ever tellyou how I beat Kid Mitchell?""Does it apply to the case in hand?""Does it what to the which?""Had it any bearing on my painful position? I only ask, because that'swhat is interesting me most just now, and, if you're going to changethe subject, there's a chance that my attention may wander.""Sure it does. It's a--what d'you call it when you pull some

h-wagonand I pick up my right off the carpet and hand it to him, and down hegoes. And when he gets up again it's pretty nearly to-morrow morning andI've drawn the winner's end and gone home.""And the moral?""Why, don't spar. Punch! Don't wait for the wallop. Give it.""Y

ord!" cried Kirk, bounding from his seat on the rail. "ForHeaven's sake, Steve, go and talk to her while I dress. I'll be down ina minute.""Sure. What's her name?""Mrs. Porter. You'll like her. Tell her all about yourself--where youwere born, how

," he said genially,

gs."Mrs. Porter looked at him with the gimlet stare which mad

iend of Mr. Win

bove. He sent me down to tellyou he won't be

ou have unusually long armsfor a man of your height.""Yep. I got a pretty good r

od many things, but no o

pardon.""Granted.""What did you say you

ouldn't that jar you?""I have no doubt you intend to be explicit----""Not on your life!" protested Steve.

into her, and she put a crimp in my career. Made me quitwhen I should have been champ in another couple of fights.""I am afraid I cannot follow these domestic troubles of yours. And whydo you speak of your blue eye? Your eyes are brown.""This one wasn't. It was the fattest blue eye you ever seen. I ran upagainst a short right hook. I put him out next round, ma'am, mind you,but that didn't help me any with mother. Directly she seen me blue eyeshe said: 'That'l

am. Bailey Bannister?""You know my nephew, Mr. Dingle?""Sure. I box with him every morning.""I never expected to hear that my nephew Bailey did anything sosensible as to take regular exercise. He does not look as if he did.""He certain

mentsaying he was going to thrash Mr. Winfield. I came here to save himfrom getting hurt. Was there any trouble?""Not so's you could notice it. I guess when he'd taken a slant at Kirkhe thought he wouldn't bother to swat him. Say, ma'am--""Well?""Whose corner are you in for this scrap?""I don't understand you.""Well, are you rooting for Kirk, or are you holding the towel for oldman Bannister?""You mean, do I

What else do you find t

wallop before the other guycan get himself set for his punch. 'Kirk,' I says, 'don't you wait forold man Bannister to tell you you can't marry Miss Ruth. Marry herbefore he can say it

eally exceptionalintelligence, Mr. Dingle.""Aw, check it with your hat, ma'am!" murmured Steve modestly. "Nix onthe bouquets! I'm only a roughneck. But I fall for Miss Ruth, and thereain't many like Kirk, so I'd like to see them happy. It would sure getmy goat the worst way