Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-04-12
sSfe3rinr INST what John ~ ra

est.
Meaning, that in this country you
can't begin on a play like pulling Sas-
soon out from under his friends noses
without keeping up the pace-without
a second and third act. You dragged
Sassoon by his hair out Of the gap :
good. You surprised everybody; good.
But you can't very we'll stop at that.
Henry. Such a feat by itself doesn't
insure permanent reputation, Henry,
1t is, so to say, merely demand reou-
tati0n-one that men reserve the right
to recall at any moment And the
worst of it is, if they ever do recall il,
you are worse off than when before
they extended the brittle bauble to
you"
lingo, John! For q stage. black
smith you are some spieler." De Spain
added al impatient, not to say con-
tumeliOus, exclamation concerning the
substance of Lefever's talk II didn't
ask them for a reputation. This man
interfered with my guard-in fact,
tried to cut his throat, didn't hep"
would have done it if Frank had
been an honest man."
THAT is all there is to it, isn't to-
Lefever tapped the second finger of
one fat hand gently on the table.
practically; practically all, Henry,
yes. You don't quite understand, but
you have the right idea"
"What do you want ne to do-back
a horse and shoot two guns at once
up and down Main street, cowboy
styleT'
Lefever kept his patience without
difficulty. "No, no. You'll under
stand"
"Scott advised me to run down to
Medicine Bend for a few days to let
the Morgans cool Off"
Right. That was the first step. The
few days are a thing of the past. I
suppose you know" continued Lefever,
in as well-modulated a tone as he
could assume to convey information
that could not be regarded as wholly
cheerful, that they expect to get you
for this SassOon job"
De Spain flushed. But the red anger
lasted only a moment. "Who are
'they'?' he asked after a pause.
Deaf Sandusky, Logan, Of course,
the Calabasas bunch, and the Nor
gans."
De Spain regarded his companion
unamiably. what do they expect I'll
be doing while they are getting me?"
Lefever raised hand deprecatingly.
Don't be overconident, Henry that's
your danger. / know you can take
care of yourself. All I want to do is
to get the folks here acquainted with
your ability, without taking unneces-
sary chances. You see, people are not
now asking questions of one another;
they are asking them of themselves.
Who and what is this newcOmer-an
accident or a genuine arrival? A COM
mon squib Or a real explosion? Don't
get excited" he added, in an effort to
sOoth De SPANS obvious irritation.
you have the idea, Henry. It's time
to show yourself"
II can't very we'll do business here
without showing myself" retorted De
Spain.
"But 1t Is a thing to be managed"
persisted Lefeyer. "Now, suppose
since the topic is up-we show in
Main street for q while"
suppose we do" echoed DE Spain
ungraciously.
"That will crack the debut ice. We
will call at Harry Tensions hotel, and
then go to his new rooms-gO right to
society headquarters frst-that's my
theory of doing it. IF anybody has
any shooting in mind, Tensions is q
quiet and orderly place. And if
man declines to eat anybody up at
Tensions, we put him down, Henry, as
not ravenously hungry"
'One man I would like to see is that
sheriff, Druel, who let Sassoon get
out"
Ready to interview him now?"
1--WE got some kilograms to answer"
"Those will keep. The Morgans are
in town. Wen start out and find some
body"
It was wet and sloppy outside, but
and De Spain thought it would be I'M
dignified to complain of it.
When, followed by Lefever, he
walked into the lobby of Tensions
hotel a few moments later the Office
was empty. Nevertheless, the news of
the appearance of Sassoon's captor
spread. The two sauntered into the
billiard hall, which occupied a deep
room adjoining the office and opened
with large plate-glass windows on
Main street. Every table was in use.
A fringe of spectators in the chairs, os-
tensibly watching the pool games,
turned their eyes toward De Spain
those that recognized him distinguish
ing him by mods and whispers to 9th
ers.
Among several groups Of men stand
ing before the long bar, one party of
four near the front end likewise en-
gagged the interest Of those keener loaf
ers who were capable of foreseeiEg
situations. These men, Satterlee Nor
gan, the cattleman Bull Page one Of
his cowboys; Sheriff Druel, and Judge
Druel, his brother, had been drinking
together. They did not see Lefever
and his companion as the two came in
through the rear lobby door. But Lee
fever, on catching sight of them, well
coined his opportunity. Walking di-
rectly forward, he laid his hand on
Satt Morgan's shoulder. AS the cat
AZ T