The Ozark spectator., 1917-03-07
CHAPTER l.
rontier 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. It was like the low singing of a teakettle, which however unobtruSive, indicates steam within. In fact, John Lefever, who was built not unlike kettle, never whistled except when there was some pressure on his sensibilities.
 The warm sun came streaming through the windows of the private of Sleepy Cat, railroad town lying all most within gunShot of the great con tinental divide. De Spain, tilted back in the superintendent'S chair, sat near Lefever-Jeffries 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 dull finish barrel of new rifle, that lay across Lefeyer's lap. At intervals Lefever took the rifle up and, whistling softly, examined with care 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 a Frontier day celebration, and these noises seemed not to allay the discomfort apparent on the faces of the two men.
 Hang it, John," blurted out De Spain peevishly, what possessed you to send for me to do the shooting, any way?"
 His companion answered gently Lefever's patience was noted even among contained men-"Henry, he re- monstrated, 'I sent for you because l thought yoS could shoot"
 De Spains expression did not change under the reproach. His features were so regular as to contribute to this un- 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 a red birthmark, low on his left cheek, disappearing under the turn of the jaw. It was merely strawberry, so called, and after knowing him, one forgot about the blrthmark in the man that carried it. Lefever's reproach was ', retorted De Spain, but without any show of resentment, you understand I can't"
 "No,' persisted Lefever good-na- turedly, q only realize, Henry, that this wasn't your day for the job"
 The door of the outer office opened, and Jeffrles, the superintendent, walked into the room; he had just come from Medicine Bend in his car. The two men rose to greet him. He asked about the noise in the street.
 "That noise. William, comes from all Calahasas and all Morgan's gap" ex- plained Lefever, still fondling the rifle. "The Morgans are celebrating our defeat. They put it 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 hun dred yards, bull's-eye count. I thought we could trim them by running in real gunman, so I wired to Medicine Bend for Henry. Henry comes up last night with brand-new rife. This is the gun. The lever" he added with a patient expletive, "broke. Henry got to shooting too fast"
 ''That wasn't what beat me-" ex- claimed De Spain curtly. And taking up the offending rifle, he walked out of the room.
 What do you think, Wiliam?" Le- fever grumbled on. "The Morgans ran in a girl to shoot against us-Nan Morgan, old Duke Morgans little niece. And l never before in my life saw Henry so fussed. The little Music Mountain skirt simply put it all over him. She had five bull's-eyes to Hen rvs three when the lever snapped. He forfeited"
 "Some shooting" commented lief fries. rapidly signing letters.
 We expected come when Henry un- slung his gun" Leftover went on with out respecting Jeffries' preoccupation. "As 1t is, those fellows have cleaned up every dollar loose in Sleepy Cat, and then some. Money? They could start a bank this minute.s