Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-01-15


The two regarded each other for a
moment in silence. why" asked De
Spain, boiling little, SHOULD that
ID hulking brute try to blow my
head off just now!'
"Only for the good Of the order,
Henry" grinned the scout.
Nice job jeff has picked out for
me-" muttered De Spain grimly, stand
ing up in these Sleepy Cat barrooms
to be shot at Is he the fellow John
calls the butcher?'
"That's what everybody calls him,
l guess"
The two rejoined Lefever at the
head Of the stairs and the three dis
cusscd the news. Even Lefever seemed
more serious when he heard the re-
port. Scott, when asked where San
dusky now was, nodded toward the
big room in front of them.
Lefever looked toward the gambling
tables. well go In and look at him.
| He turned TO Scott to invite his COM
ment on the proposal. "Think twice,
john" suggested the Indian. IF
| there's any trouble in crowd like
that, somebody that has no interest
in De Spain or Sandusky IS pretty sure
to get hurt
II don't mean to start anything" ex-
planned Lefever. Il only want De
Spain to lool; at him."
But sometimes things start them
selves. Lolever found Sandusky ut
faro table. At his side sat his partner,
Logan. Three other players, together
with the onlookers. and the dealer
whose tumblcd hair fell partly over the
visor that protected his eyes from the
glare of the overhead light-mGde up
the group. The table stood next to
that where Tension, white-faced and
impasslve under the heat and light,
held the chair.
Lefcver took position ut one end
of the table, where he faced Sandusky,
and De Spain, just behind his shoul-
der, had a chance tc look the two
CaiGbasas men closely over. Sandusky
again impressed him as powerful
man. who, beyond an ample stomach,
carried his weight without showing it.
De Spain credited readily the eA'
t:aurdinary stories he had heard OF
Sandusky's deXterity with revolver
NJ al, co
have missed . shot ut so close range
YVES parity explained now that DC
Spain perceived SandusEys small,
hard, brown eyes were somewhat UNI
naturally bright, and that his broWS
Knit every little while In his effort to
collect himself. Sandlsly's brown shirt
sprawlcd open at the collar, and De
| Spain remembered again the ll0Shy
| waiStcoat, fastened AZ the last button
hole by cut glass button.
| AT randuSky's side sat his crGny in
all important undertakings-a much
smaller, sparc- man, with aggressive
! shoulders and restless eyes. Logan
! was the lookout Of the pair, and his
d rowing glance lghtGd on De Spain be-
fore the latter had Inspected him
more than 4 moment. He lost no time
u in beginning on De Spain with an in
solcnt question as to what he was
I. looking at. Re Spain, his eye bent
G steadily on him, answered With Il tone
Il neither Of apology nor pronounced OF.
1t Tense 81 an looking at YOU
o Lefeycr hitchcd at his trousers cheer
s. lily and, stepping away from De Spain
g tool; a position just behind the dealer
"What are you looking at me for?
z demanded Logan inSolently.
g, De Spain raised his voice to mattel
e exactly the tone Of the inquiry. '"St
n I'll know you next time
n Logan pushed back his chair. AS HI
$. turned his legs from under the tabl'
'e to rise, hand rested on his shoulder
IS lie looked up and saw the BROW
X face and feeble smile of Scott. Logan
ar with his nearest foot kicked Sandusky
IS The big fellow looked up and around
AIlllitl W NiuIitS vi III l'ii'NiiS III
er sound Of the last voice, his glance fel
70 on De Spain. He scrutinized for
Us suspicious instant the burning eyes an
the red mark low on the check. Will
" he did so--comprehension dawning o
F! hln,--hls enormous hands, forsakin
e the pile of chips with which both ha
oo been for moment busy, flattened GU
- palms down, on the faro table. Loga
tried to rise. SCOTS hand rested hen,
ily on him. whats the rowT ii
inandcd Sandusky In the queer ton
re of Il deaf man. Logan pointed at u
Au Spain. "rhat Medicine Bend due
wants fight"
~ "With man, Logan; not with
M cub retor,ed De Spain matching il
Oh suit with insult.
maybe can do something for you
interrupted Sandusky. His eyes IA
'p- like Il flash around the table. He sa
iet how Lcfevcr had pre-empted the be
he place In the room. He looked up NJ
back at the man standing now at h
shoulder, and almost between Logi
and himself. 1t was the Indian, Scot
an Sandusky felt, as his faculties clear,
Job and arranged themselves every /