Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1911-10-10

grove of c0ttonwoods. From cat of
the rocks there issued stream of pure
water that steamed as it Tapped the
hot sandy-banks. Under the cotton.
woods there was fictitious GOODNESS.
and Harry staked his horse and flung
himself down in the grateful shade
! and closed his aching eyes
If he could only stop thinking OF the
faithless Widow Clancy, who had so
| ruthlessly broken his heart, Harry
| would have felt better. but the love
smitten young man was sore pressed
with recollection of the tender coquet-
ries OF the pretty widow who had
loved. or pretended she did. and, worst
OF all. she was going to marry that fat
| faced German butcher.
| Ruyter was fat faced. but there was
certain ford comeliness about his
looks as lie logged into Satans gulch
to search for quiet and shade. He did
not see Harry Barry. nor did the cat
tleman see him until Ruyter had dis
mounted and was stumbling about
among the stones; then Harry aroused
and sat bolt upright among the rocks
| and stared at his successful rival.
What do you want?" he snarled
fiercely
The German stopped short and
stared. That's no way to speak to a
chentleman," he admonished severely.
That's why say it to you, Ruyterl
What arp Won doinp here ."
Il came to cool off," said the Ger
man angrily. 'Dis Satan's culch, it's
bubble property"
Its not big enough to hold both OF
u.s." warned Harry, his hand on his
hip pocket.
Den you peter pc going some."
said Ruyter imperturbably.
Il was here first" argued Harry.
Den you should go first You had
your share of der coolness-soi" Ruy-
ter sat heavily down on rock near
Harry and mopped his crimson face.
"Chiminy, but it's cruel hotr' he
groaned-
why don't you go back to the
ranch, then. tell you this place isn't
big enough for both of us. Ill fight
you for it," he suggested thirstily.
Il amt a 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
Ruyter? Was it 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-sor
Harry Barry stood in frozen silence
at what he saw behind Ruyter's back.
There, disturbed from its 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 flash of fire, 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.
Dead be mourned. "Ah, Gotti |
I'm dead as der doornaiIsr'
: Jaw, wake up!' 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 10 atoms, and the big |
German stared until his face was as
white as paper.
you did that for me? he almost |
whispered.
ITS nothing" said Harry sullenly |
as he threw a leg over his horse.
There came shrilI 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 Ruytcr's detected form.
''1hey 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 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 I
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 crisply.
They say-they say-you're going to |
marry him. stammered Harry. feeling
hot and foolish.
Il don't know who they are. but they |
are dead wrong. No. sir; keep your
distance, | dismissed Ruyter yester- |
day. and the Clintocks are jolIying |
me because hes 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 |
life?"
Il thought they meant your second
husband" said Harry, growing bolder !
I'm not going to have a second