The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1907-12-03
.....By Charles Calverson
Copyrighted. 1907. by E. C. PARCELS.

one or two or his Fellows lounging ovel
to see what was up
Coin to town, HumpyY' demanded
Ben Tyler, lighting fresh cigarette.
mo" said HUMPHREYS, with asperity
"I'm goin' to drive over to China t.
hire new cook. What makes yor
think was goin' to town.
Tyler grinned amiably.
you'd think he was the old man II
you could hear him talk with your
eyes shut" he commented musingly tC
Buck Byers by the way, | wish
you'd stop on the way back and bring
out some markings"
He tossed a silver dollar to Hum.
phries as that worthy climbed into the
seat and started the team. Hrnphries
pocketed the coin. with a grunt. and
devoted himself to his thoughts.
That something was doing up at the
big house was clearly apparent. The
minister from Silver Forks had driven
over that morning, and now he was
sent to Brayleys for young woman,
with orders to return her to the ranch
with all speed. He grinned as he OBJ
served the brand on the TANKS of the
blacks. the twin hearts from which the
ranch took its name.
fought to put a cupid's arrow
through 'em." he told the blacks. ''Then
you'd look like valentines. Wonder
who it is goin' to get hitched?"
He ran through the list of proba bles,
but could not decide until the Overland
paused at the little flag station to de-
posit young woman and trunk. As
the girl raised her veils HUMPHREYS
sprang forward
Miss Bess," he cried, note Of real
welcome in his voice, "I've got the
blackboard here"
He held her hand an instant in greet
ing and then strapped the trunk be-
hind the seat before helping her in.
The year before he had been working
on the Circle z when Bess Farley had
come to spend the summer with her
brother. his employer Even then
there had been talk of a marriage be-
tween her and Cotton. but the gossip
had died down. and 1t was supposed
that there had been a quarrel. Now
she was here. the preacher was here.
and there could be no doubt but that
she would become queen of the Twin
Hearts as well as the heart of every
rider on the range.
HUMPHREYS engaged her in conversa-
ton. supplying bits Of local news and
listening with an amiable grin to her
tales of black east" Almost before
they knew it they had come to the gate
of the ranch inclosure and HUMPHREYS
was about to jump down and open it
when she laid a OBTAINING hand upon
his arm.
why stop here? she asked. Circle
q 10 only five miles ahead"
"Circle N" he echoed. 81 thought
you were coming here"
did my brother say soT she asked.
II haven't seen Mr.. Farley In six
months" he said. I'm working here
now, and Mr.. Cotton told me to go and
get lady. / asked what she looked
like, and he cut me of short. like he al
ways does. / supposed it must be all
right. You was the only lady to get
of"
II didn't know that you had left my
brothers ranch" she explained in re-
turn, land / thought, of course, 1t was
all right. wrote him three days ago
that l was coming"
Il guess the letters there at the
house." commented HUMPHREYS. you
see, he went up to Denver about a
week ago, so nobody knows that you're
coming. Better turn in here The
Circle 2 house is all closed up while
your brothers away"
HUMPHREYS climbed out of the buck
board and opened the gate, driving the
team through and closing it again be-
fore he climbed back to the seat.
You will be better off here" he
continued comfortably. land there's
the minister from Silver Spring to be-
your chaperon."
''What is the minister doing hereY'
she demanded HUMPHREYS blushed.
81 did think he came over to do a
job Of hitchin'," he explained. but
guess now that was in wrong. Here's
the boss" be added as Cotton came out
on the porch at the sound Of the ap
preaching vehicle.
1t was a puzzled Cotton who came
down the steps to assist Bess from the
blackboard.
This was the only lady that got OF
the train, so brought her," explained
HUMPHREYS defantly as he unloaded
.ae trunk and drove of to the stables.
81 did not know that Humpy was
working for you." explained Bess as
the blackboard disappeared around the
corner of the house. 81 supposed that
he had been sent for me. since wrote
Ned several days ago that | was COM
ing learn that the house is closed
up, and could not explain to Humpy
that | would rather live in the closed
house than-here."
"You viii be sent right on if you
wish it." he said stif1y. Il sent to the
train for woman who is to marry the
cook He was anxious to have the
ceremony over before the boys would
find out, and | did not explain to
HUMPHREYS who was coming"
"Quite a complication" she said,
with a faint smile. 81 am sorry to
put you to the additional trouble of
sending me on"
"At least you will stay to dinner"
he urged. 81 cannot let you go on be-
fore you have eaten. Dinner will be
ready In half an hour. Meanwhile you
can wash up and rest on the piazza"
He took her acceptance for granted
and led the way to spare room,
where he saw that she was provided
with toilet accessories. He did .Aot
show up until dinner time, when he
and the minister enjoyed the meal the
more for her gracious presence at the
table. Cotton followed her out upon
the piazza at the conclusion of the din
ner and stood beside her under the
heavy vines that screened the porch.
Il shall send man around pres
emily" he said softly, "if you insist
upon going. but, Bess, dear, can't you
reconsider your determination"
81 could not very well stay here, "
she answered indifferently.
"As my wife?" he asked. Are you
Coiu0 RI hold AGAINST mo fhat ono silly
moment last summer when lost my
head and my temper and through that
lost you? If you could know how bit
terly | have repented."
aapanitor,no doo. not offnoo tl,.. nnar Of