The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1918-04-25

"But it is IA thing to be managed,
since the topic is up-we show In
Main street for a while
Suppose we do" echoed De Spain
ungraciously,
"That will crack the debut ice. We
will call at Harry Tensions hotel, and
then 20 10 his new ruOms-go right "a
society headquarters frst-that's my
theory Of doing if. If anybody has
any shooting in mind, Tensions is a
quiet and orderly place. And if a
man declines 10 cat anybody up at
Tensions. we put him down. Henry, as
not ravenously hungry
zone man / would like TO see is that
sheriff, Druel, who let Sassoon get
out"
"Ready TO Interview him now?"
"Tye got some kilograms To answer"
"Those will keep. The Morgans are
in town. Wen start out and find some
body"
1t was wet and sloppy outside, but
Lefeycr was Indifferent TO the rain,
and De Spain thought it would be un-
diEniicd to |colnplain of 1t.
When. followed by Lefever, he
walked into the lobby of Tensions
hotel n few moments later the office
was empty. Nevertheless, the news OF
the appearance of Sassoon's captOr
spread. The two Suuntcred into the
billiard hall, which occupied a deep
oOm adjoining the office and opened
with large platc-glass windows on
Main street. Every table was in use.
\ 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-
crs 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 Lefever
and his companion as the two came in
through the rea lobby door. But Le-
fever, on catching sight of them, vel
coined his opportunity. Walking d.
rectly forward, he laid his hand on
Satt Morgan'S shoulder. As the cat
tleman turned, Lefever, genially grasp
each of the party in turn.
Morgan threw the brim of his wealth
er-beaten hat back from his tanned
face. He wore q muStache and a 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, vas not unfriend-
". He looked with open interest from
his frank but lot enthusiastically eyes
at De Spain. II heard" he said in n
good-natured, slightly nasal tone, "you
made a sunrise call on us one day last
week"
"And I want to say" returned De
Spain, equally amiable, chat If I had
had any idea you folks would take it
so hard-I mean, as an affront intend
ed to any Of you'll never would have
gone into the gap after S%assoon. /
just misunderstanding II mistake as l
now realize-tliat my scrap would be
,utth Coyrnnp Not NTH tIn N,, ~
Salts face wrinkled into n humorous
grin. you sure kicked up some
alkali."
De Spain nodded candidly. "More
than I intended to. And l say-with-
cut any intention Of impertinence to
anybody else-Sassoon Is a cur. l sup
posed when + brought him in here
liter So much riding, that we had
sheriff enough TO keep him." He
looked at Druel with such composure
that the latter for Il moment was non
plussed. Then he discharged a volley
IF oaths, and demanded what De Spain
meant. De Spain did not move. He
refused to see the angry sheriff. THAT
is where | made my second mistake"
he continued. speaking to Morgan and
forcing his tone just enough to be
heard. DrlIel, with more hard words
began to abuse the railroad for not
paying taxes enough to build n decent
jail. De Spain took another tack. He
eyed the sheriff calmly as the latter
continued to draw away and left DE-
Spain standing somewhat apart from
the rest of the group. "Then it may
be l am making another mistake
Druel, in blaming you. 1t may not b.
your fault"
"The fault is, you're fresh" CRIED
Druel, warming up as De Spain ap
peared to cool. The line Of tippler'
backed away from the bar. De Spail
stepping toward the sheriff, raised hi
hand in a friendly way. "Druel, YOUR
hurting yourself by your talk. Max
me your deputy again some time" h
concluded, land I'll e that Sassool
stays where he is put"
"Tll just do that" cried Druel. witt
a very strong word, and he raised hi