The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1918-03-28
CHAPTER !.
Frontier Day.

WHICH SptIlItN Hlt'ilidllNts III -
Spain more or less, despite his en-
deavor not to be irritated. II was like
the low singing of a teakettle, which,
however unobtrusive, indicates steam
within. In fact, John Lefever, who
was built not unlike n kettle, never
whistled except when there was some
pressure on his scnsibilities.
The warm sun came streaming
through the windows OF the private Of
flee OF the division superintendent mt
Sleepy Cat, n railroad town lying al
most within gunshOt Of the great con
tinental divide. De Spain, tilted back
In the superintendent 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 sunhurnt lips
were shut tight, and his nervous brown
eyes were staring at the dull finish
barrel of a new rifle, thar lay across
Lefever's lap. AT intervals Lcfeyer
took the rifle UP and, whistllng softly,
examined with care u fracture of the
lever, the broken t%humbpiece of which
lay on the table between the two men.
From the Main street side OF the
large room came the hooting and clat-
terlng 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 u 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, 81 sent for you because |
thought you could shoot"
De Spain's expression did not change
under the reproach. His features were
so regular as to contribute to his 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
q red birthmark, low on his left cheek.
disappearing under the turn of the jaw.
1t was merely n strawberry, so called,
and after knowing him, one forgot
about the birthmark In the maD that
carried ii. Lefever's %reproach was
naturally provocative. Il hope nov"
retorted De Spain, but without any
show of resentment, you understand
l can't"
mo" persisted Lefever, good-na-
turedly, Il 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 EAR. The
two men rose to greet him. He asked
about the noise In The street.
THAT noise, william, comes from all
Calabasas and all Morgan's gap" ex-
planned L~efever, still fondling' the
rifle. 1.-The 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. 1.-THE Morgans
OitAtO " SllOOl uS OuIlduu lNO HUH
dred yards, bulls-eye count. | thought
we could trim them by running in a
real gunman, 80 l wired to Medicine
Bend for Henry. Henry comes up last
night with a b~rand-new rifle. 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 CURLY. And taking
up the offending rifle, he walked out
Of the room.
"What do you think, William?' Le-
fever grumbled on. 1.-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 fused. The little Music
Mountain skirt simply put 1t all over
him. She had five bull's-eyes to Hen
rvs three when the lever snapped. He
forfeited"
"Some shooting" commented JET.
fries, rapidly signing letters.
I'VE expected some when Henry un-
slung his gum" Lefever 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
q bank this minute"
Sounds Of revelry continued to pour
In through the street window. The
Morgans were celebrating uncommon.
". Rubbing 1t In, Ell, John?" sug,
gested Jeffytes.
'sThink of It." gasped Iefever, "tc
be beaten by an eighteen-year-old girl
snow that" declared Jeffries, wax
Ing ND as II for the first time inter
ested, '1s exactly where you made your
mistake, John. A gunman shoots hi.
best when there's somebody shooting
1t him. That's why You shoot we'll
because you're q gunman. and not
marksman."
sThat boy can shoot all around me
Jeff..
sFor instance" continued Jeffries
~ you had put Gale Morgan uI
A>~