The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1917-02-22

"One man would like to see is that
sheriff, Druel, who let Sassoon get
out"
"Ready to interview him now7"
"Ive got some kilograms to answer"
"Those will keep. The Morgans are
In town. Well start out and find some
body"
1t was wet and sloppy outside, but
Lefever was Indifferent to the rain,
and De Spain thought 1t would be un-
dignified to complain of it.
When, followed by Lefever, he
walked into the lobby of Tensions
hotel few moments later the office
was empty. Nevertheless, the news of
the appearance Of Sassoon's captor
sbread.~--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 foreseeing
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 Lefeyer
and his companion as the two came In
through the rear lobby door. But Le-
fever, on catching sight of them, well
coined his opportunity. Walking d.
rectly forward, he laid his hand on
Satt Morgan's shoulder. AS the cat
tleman turned, Lefever, genially grasp.
Ing his hand, introduced De Spain to
each of the party in turn.
Morgan threw the brim of his wealth
er-beaten hat back from his tanned
face. He wore mustache and chin
whlsker Of that variety designated in
the mountains by the appropriate
name Spinach" But his smile, which
drew his cheeks into wrinkles all about
his long, round nose, was not unfriend
ly. He looked with open interest from
his frank but not overtrustworthy eyes
at De Spain. ~ heard" he said In n
good-natured, slightly nasal tone, "you
made n sunrise call on US one day last
week."
"And l want to say" returned De
Spain, equally amiable, "that if / had
had any idea you folks would take II
so hard-I mean, as an affront intend
ed to any Of you'll never would have
gone into the gap after Sassoon.
just assumed-making a mistake as
now realize-that my scrap would be
with Sassoon, not with the Morgans."
Salts face wrinkled into humorous
grin. "You sure kicked up some
alkalI."
De Spain nodded candidly. "More
than intended to. And say-with
out any intention of impertinence tc
anybody else-Sassoon Is u cur. sup
posed when brought him In here
after so much riding, that we had
sheriff enough to keep him." He
looked at Druel with such composure
that the latter for moment was non
= plussed. Then he discharged volley
Of oaths, and demanded what De Spair
meant. De Spain did not move. He
refused to see the angry sheriff. 'SThnt
Is where 1 made my second mistake, >
he continued, speaking to Morgan and
forcing his tone just enough to bs
heard. Druel, with more hard words
began to abuse the railroad for moi
paying taxes enough to build decent
Jail. De Spain took another tack. Ht
eyed the sheriff calmly as the latter
continued to draw away and left DE-
Spain stsndlng somewhat apart frou
the rest Of the group. "Then 1t maj
lbe / am making another mistake