The Mena weekly star., 1917-02-08
CHAPTER |.
Frontier Day.

LeItNeF SaL SiucWlSc Ou tue tukt 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 teakettle, which, however unobtrusive, indicates steam within. In fact, John Lefeyer, 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 off, flee of the division superintendent at Sleepy Cat, railroad town lying al- 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 rife. that lay across Lefever's lap. At intervals Lefever took the rifle up and. 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 q 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 dc the shooting, any way?"
 His companion answered gently L,efever's patience was noted even among contained men-"Henry," he re- monstrated, q sent for you because I thought you could shoot"
 De Spain's 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 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 birthmark in the man that carried it. Lefever's reproach was naturally provocative. 'T hope now" retorted De Spain, but without any show of resentment, you understand I can't"
 "No," persisted Leftover, good-na- turediy, T only realize. Henry, that this wasn't 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 to greet him. He asked about the noise in the street.
 That noise, William. comes from ali Calabasas and all Morgan's gap," ex- plalned 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 Jefries. "The Morgans offered to shoot us offhand, two hun dred yards. bulls-eye count. thought we could trim them by running in q real gunman, so I wired to Medicine Bend for Henry. Henry comes up last night with q brand-new rifle. This Is the gun. The lever.p he added with a patient expletiva, "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, William?' Le- fever grumbled on. "The Morgans ran in a girl to shoot against us-Nan Morgan. old Duke Morgan's little niece And 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 ry's three when the lever snapped. He forfeited"
 Some shooting" commented lief fries. rapidly signing letters.
 ''We expected some when Henry un sIung his gun" Lefever went on with out respecting Jeffries' preoccupation "As it is, those fellows have cleaned UT every dollar loose in Sleepy Cat, anc then some. Moneyf They could starr bank this minute"
 Sounds of reyelry continued to pou, In through the street window. The Morgans were celebrating uncommon ly. Rubbing 1t in, eh. John?" sug gested Jeffries.
 Think of it." gasped Lefever, "te be beaten by an eighteen-year-old girl
 .Now that" declared Jeffries. wax ing up as if for the first lime inter ested, 'is exactly where you made youl mistake. John. A gunman shoots his best when there's somebody shooting at him. That's why you shoot we'll because you're 2 gunman. and not ( marks'nan.'