The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1911-07-18
81 was here 6rst." argued Harry.

81 was here frst," argued Harry.
Den you should go first You had
your share Of der eoolness-sol1 Ruy-
ter sat heavily down on rock near
Harry and mopped his crimson face.
"Chiminy, but it's cruel hotw he
groaned.
why don't you go back to the
ranch, then. tell you this place isn't
big enough for both of US. I'll fight
you for it." he suggested thirstily.
Il amt fighting man" murmured
the German heavily. Its too planned
hot to fight 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 and thus
place the Widow Clancy once more
on the free list. 1t came over him all
at once then that Of course If the
Widow Clancy didn't want him why
should he want her? What was love
If two did not participate? Why kill
Ruyter2 Was 1t worth while?
He scrambled to his feet and whis-
tied to his horse. Ruyter looked up
with dull interest. Oats right, Mr..
Barry. First you come und first you
goes-sow
Harry Barry stood In frozen silence
at what he saw behind Ruyter's back
There, disturbed from its rest among
the rocks, was rattlesnake coiIed to
spring. Another instant and Ruyter
would be beyond help-Harry's rival
would be put out of the way.
There was flash Of fire, a 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
"Deadp' he mourned. "Ah, Gottl
I'm dead as der doornaiIsl'
saw, wake upl" Harry permitted
himself the pleasure of kicking Ruy-
ter into activity. That's what's dead
as 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 meP' he almost
whispered
Its nothing said Harry sullenly
as he threw leg over his horse.
There came shrill cry down the
canyon and clatter of hoofs as Mrs.
Clancy pounded recklessly among the
loose stones. She drew rein at sight
of the two men, and her eyes fingered
longest on Ruyters detected form.
They said you and Ruyter were GO
ing to fight she said to Harry accus-
ingly, her eyes blazing. her hair tinged
with the red of the sun.
Il haven't hurt your Dutchman,"
said Harry rudely. Hes perfectly
safe"
HE safed my life from dat. Mrs.
Clancy" said Ruyter agitatedly, 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.
go on, Ruyter," she commanded the
German; you've got lot Of matters
to clean up. you know"
Eyes, Mrs. Clancy" he said. gladly
leaving the place When the echoes
Of the sorrers shambling hoofbeats
had died away Mrs. Clancy lifted her
eyes to Harry's handsome, sullen face
and spoke:
why did you call Ruyter my Dutch
mang" she demanded crisply.
They say-they say-you're going to
marry him." stammered Harry. feeling
hot and foolish.
II don't know who they are, but they
are dead wrong. No, sir; keep your
distance! I 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. rs that why you saved his
Hfe?"
Il thought they meant your second
husband" said Harry, growing holder.
"I'm net going to have a secone
husband" said Mrs. Clancy decidedly,
yet showing the curve Of a 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
way home