Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1917-03-30
CHAPTER /.
Frontier Day.

i
Frontier Day.
Lefever sat sidewise on the edge
OF the table. His subdued whistle,
which seemed meditative, irritated De
Spain more or less, despite his en-
deavor not to be irritated 1t was like
the low singing of teakettle, which,
however unObtrusiye, indicates steam
within. In fact, John Lefeyer, who
was built not unlike a kettle, never
whistled except when there was some
pressure on his sensibilities.
The warm sun came streaming
through the windows of the private of
ace of the division superintendent at
Sleepy Cat, a railroad town lying al
most within gunshot of the great con-
Sinental divide. De Spain, tilted back
In the sUperintendent's chair, sat near
Lefever-7Jeffries had the mountain di-
vision then-his feet crossed on the
walnut rim of the shabby, cloth
topped table. His chin lay on his soft,
open collar and tie, his Sunburnt lips
were shut tight, and his nervous brown
eyes were staring at the duh finish
DdEIGl VI a new IllGt luQI lay dNIOSS
Lefever's lap. AT intervals Leftover
took the rifle up aad, whistling softly,
examined with care a fracture of the
lever, the broken thumbpiece OF which
lay on the table between the two men.
From the Main street side Of the
large room came the hooting and clat-
tering of Frontier day celebration,
~.
the discomfort apparent on the faces
OF the two men.
'lang it, john" blurted out De
Span peevishly, what possessed you
to send for me to do the shooting, any
way?"
bis companion answered gently
Lefever'S patience was noted even
among contained men-"Henry." he re-
monstrated, Il sent for you because /
thought you could shoot"
De SPANS expression did not change
under the reproach. His features were
so regular as TO contribute to this I'M
disturbed expression. and his face
would not ordinarily attract attention
but for his extremely bright and alive
eyes-the frequent mark of an out-of-
door mountain life-and especially for
red birthmark, low on his left cheek
disappearing under the turn of the jaw
It was merely strawberry, so called,
ana after knowing him, one forgot
abott the birthmark in the man that
carried it. Lefevers reproach was
naturally provocative. 81 hope now"
retorted De Spain, but without any
show of resentment, you understand
I can't"
No" persisted Lefever, good-na-
turedly. 81 only realize. Henry. that
this wasnt your day for the job"
The door of the outer office opened.
and Jeffries, the superintendent,
walked into the room; he had just come
from Medicine Bend in his car. The
two men rose &c greet him. He asked
about the noise in tie street
THAT noise, William. comes from all
Calabasas and all M2rgan's gap" ex-
planned Lefever. still fondling the
rifle. 'Jhe Morgans are celebrating
our defeat. They put 1t all over us.
we were challenged yesterday" he
continued in response to the abrupt
questions of Jeffries. "The Morgans
offered to shoot us offhand, two hum
cred yards; bull's-eye count. l thought
we could trim them by running In a
real gunman, so / wired 10 Medicine
BEND for Henry. Henry comes up last
oight with a brand-new rife This is
the gun. The lever" he added with q
patient expletive, broke Henry got
TO shooting TOO fast"
That wasn't what beat me-" ex-
claimed De Spain CURLY. And taking
up the offending rife, he walked out
OF the room.
What do you think. WilliamT Lee
Fever grumbled on. 1.-THE Norgans ran
IN girl to shoot against us-Nan
Morgan, old Duke Morgan's little niece.
AND l never before in my life saw
Henry so fused. The little Music
Mountain skirt simply put it all over
hiin She had FIVE bulrs-eyes to Hen
rvs three when the lever snapped. He
forfeited"
Some shooting" commented JEFF
tries, rapidly signing letters.
we expected some when Henry I'M
Sung his gun" Lefever went on with
out respecting JefTries' preoccupation.
AS 1t IL those fellows have cleaned up
every dollar loose in Sleepy Cat. and
ten some. Money? They could Start
oHnk this minute"