Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-06-22

ranch. then. tell you rhis place isn't
big enough for both of us. Ill tight
you for it." be suggested thirstily.
81 amt lighting man." murmured
the German heavily. It's too planned
hot TO light anyways"
Harry glared at the man who would
not be affronted. the man who would
not fight and give Harry Barry an
opportunity TO lay him low aud thus
place the Widow Clancy once more
on the free list. 1t came over him all
at once then that of course IL the
Widow Clancy didn't want him why
should be want her? What was love
If two did not participate? Why kill
Ruyter? Was it worth while?
He scrambled 10 his feet and whis-
with dull interest. OATS right. Mr..
Barry. First you come uDd hrst you
goes-soF'
Harry Barry stood In frozen silence
at what he saw behind Ruyters back.
There. disturbed from it's rest among
the rocks. was a rattlesnake coiled to
spring. Another instant and Ruyter
would be beyond help-Harry's rival
would be put out OF the way.
There was a fash OF fire, q report
that detonated among the scattered
rocks and went echoing down the can
yon. The German lifted both hands
above his head and squealed shrilly.
"Deadw he mourned. "Ah, Gottl
I'm dead as der doornailsT
Jaw. wake upr' Harry permitted
90 b.
ter into activity. That's what's dead
as a doornail." He pointed to the
twitching body OF the RATHER. Its
head was blown to atoms, and the big
German stared until his face was as
white as paper.
You did that for meT" he almost
whispered.
Its nothing" said Harry sullenly
as he threw a leg over his horse.
There came a shrill cry down the
canyon and a CHATTER of boots as Mrs
Clancy pounded reckiessiy among the
loose stones. She drew rein at sight
of the two men. and her eyes fingered
longest on Ruyter's detected form.
''They said you and Ruyter were 60
ing to fight" she said to Harry accus-
ingly. her eyes blazing. her hair tinged
with the red of the sun.
II haven't hurt your Dutchman."
said Harry rudely. Hes perfectly
safe"
HE safed my life from dat, Mrs.
Clancy" said Ruyter agitntedly. point
ing a fat finger at the remains of the
RATHER.
She shuddered and then recovered
her equanimity. Once more she was
the cool, level headed little woman that
Harry Barry had fallen in love with
German; you've got a lot of matters
to clean up. you know"
Eyes, Mrs. Clancy" be said. gladly
leaving the place. When the echoes
of the sorrel's stumbling hoofbeats
had died away Mrs. Clancy lifted her
eyes to Harry's handsome. sullen face
and spoke:
why did you call Ruyter my Dutch.
man" she demanded crispIy.
They say-they say-you're going to
marry him." stammered Harry, feeling
hot and foolish.
81 don't know who they are, but they
are ueau "louS' NO' SIT, Keep YOUR
distance! | dismissed Ruyter yester-
day. and the Clintocks are jollying
me because he's the second foreman
I've had since I've been here" Her
eyes swept his face and then turned
away. lis that why you saved his
life?"
81 thought they meant your second
husband" said Harry, growing holder.
I'm not going to have a second
husband" said Mrs. Clancy decidedly.
yet showing the curve OF pink cheek.
"Never?" insinuated Harry.
But Mrs. Clancy did not answer. yet
there was something in the demure
curve of her lips that led Harry Barry
to feel riotously happy and to sing
love songs in her pretty ear all the