Read Online The Bruiser by Jim Tully - Free Book Online

movies.”
    Facing the depot was a restaurant. Above the door was painted a large red, white, and blue horse-shoe. Beneath were the words, “Good luck.”
    Connors opened the door.
    â€œHello there, Jackie,” said Dilly.
    Shane followed.
    The girl stared.
    â€œBrought along a pal of mine, Dilly. He fights here in about a month.”
    â€œReally—” her eyes opened.
    â€œYeap—agin Barney McCoy.”
    â€œIs that so?” Her eyes were still on Shane.
    â€œYeap—.” Connors looked at one and then the other, much as a referee would at two pugilists. “Dilly Dally—meet Shane Rory.”
    She bowed politely and made an affected gesture. Shane nodded. “Glad to know you.”
    â€œHe’ll be eatin’ here right along now—tell the boss I’m good for it.”
    â€œOh, that’s okeh.” Dilly smiled. Her teeth were even as pearls in a row, her eyes large and brown, her hair tinged with gold. Her close-fitting waist, open low at the throat, revealed the form of her breasts.
    As they seated themselves, she leaned over Shane and said, “What’ll it be?” Her breast touched Shane’s shoulder.
    â€œGive us both some ham and eggs, coffee and toast,” Connors spoke quickly.
    â€œAll right.” She stepped gracefully to the kitchen. Their eyes followed.
    â€œCould you go for that?” Connors grinned crookedly at Shane.
    â€œI’ll say—any time. She’s beautiful.”
    Connors’ voice rose. “She is beautiful—that kid’ll get some place just as sure’s a preacher goes to church on Sunday.”
    When she returned, Connors said, “Be nice to Shane here, won’t you, Dilly—he’ll have to be in good shape to lick McCoy.”
    Dilly placed the food on the table. “Sure I’ll be nice to him.” She touched his shoulder. “I’ll bet McCoy won’t get no place fast with him—I know a good man when I see one.”
    â€œThat’s more’n most women do,” chuckled Connors.
    â€œWell, I’m not most women .”
    â€œThat’s right, Dilly—you don’t belong in Cheyenne.”
    Shane’s eyes did not leave her.
    â€œHow long you been here?” he asked.
    â€œToo long,” was the answer, “I’ve only got fifty-one more years if I live my full time out. I’ve spent forty of them here.”
    â€œYou’ve only been here four months,” put in Connors.
    â€œWell, that’s forty years the way I figure.” All three laughed.
    â€œIt won’t seem so long if you’re nice to him here.” Connors nodded toward Shane.
    â€œI’ll be nice. I don’t have to have a brick house fall on me to take the hint.” She looked at Shane. “Will you take me to see you fight?”
    â€œSure.”
    â€œI’ll be prayin’ for you,” she said. “Do you want your coffee now?”
    â€œYes, please,” returned Shane.
    â€œMine later, Sis,” said Connors.
    â€œTake it easy,” he cautioned Shane, as she left. “Don’t fall too hard for a dame in a railroad restaurant.”
    In spite of Connors warning, Shane was infatuated with Dilly. For the next few weeks she saw no one else.
    Her home was in Grand Island, Nebraska. She was working her way to Hollywood. “I’ve had a lot ofchances to go,” she explained to Shane, “but I wanta get there honorable—I don’t wanta lot of strings on me”.
    â€œWhy not let’s go to Frisco after the fight—I’ll have six or eight hundred dollars.”
    â€œHow far’s that from Hollywood?” she asked.
    â€œOh, about five hundred miles—I’d send you down—the game’s good in Frisco. I’ll get by McCoy, then I’ll be a card.”
    â€œJust think,” she said admiringly, “all that money in one night. Gee, you must be smart.