The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1912-01-23

J the cottonwoods, and from the tallest
one something dangled from a stout
upper limb.
Don't You look, ma'am-wait till we
come back" commanded Gabriel with
sudden authority, and he pressed
flask into her hand.
The brave hearted little widow sud-
denly lost courage and bowed her
head once more on the neck of her
pony.
When the seven pounded to a stand
still under the cottonwood tree they
slipped from their saddles and hesitat-
ed Harry Barry's roam horse whin-
MED sharply, and then. apparently
from the air above them. came fam
iliar voice.. peevish. as If from long
waiting.
Don't stand staring like idiotsl I'm
plumb tired out hanging up herer IL
said.
The seven turned awed looks upon
one another. and as by one accord the
youngest and strongest, the two Lew
ises, Jim and Tim, sprang toward the
tree and fairly spurred their way up
into the lower branches, from which
they mounted higher. Then there came
the sound Of several voices raised in
inquiry. explanation and direction.
After awhile three men came down
the tree instead Of the two who had
climbed up. The third man was Harry
Barry, and the others were helping
him, for his limbs seemed sttG and
his face was, quite pale. He smiled
as cheerily as ever as they gathered
around him
Another one on me-" he gr1nned
sheepishly when they had administer
ed restoratives to him. II was coming
back from dosing the sick critter,
when took a notion to climb that
there tree and look around the land
and ses If there was anybody knew
sashaying around-laugh If you
wanterr' he said as knowing smile
went the round of the group
II went up in the tree, and looked,
and l thought I saw way on an old
friend of mine" Che showed all his
white teeth. "and SO was In hurry
" kCb 0OW4, an0 my AC0i CaUBAk Ia y
crooked little branch, and fell kerr
PUNK till a handy little stump Of a
broken limb caught hold Of my belt,
and there hung as fine as silk. That
was all beautiful and nice, only. gents,
II was so that there was a sharp
little prongy branch sticking out Of
the tree right behind my shoulders,
and couldn't move hand or foot with
out ketching 1t like knife, so there
hung till went to sleep while back.
When woke up I was all numb and
cold from hanging there I'm feeling
better now, thanks. Next thing I
knew heard you fellers coming and
seen you out the corner Of my eye"
They examined the small ragged tear
in Harry's shirt between ais shoulder
blades, and they saw that the hesh
was red and bruised from the toftur-
ing branch that had pierced It.
"You had a. narrer escape" said
Gabriel soberly.
II guess you won't get to breaking
no laws now" Joked Hem Wayland
You've somehow got a taste Of what
a necktie party feels like when you're
the guest Of honor"
Crane had ridden ahead to break the
good news to Mrs Clancy, and Gabriel
suddenly vaulted into his saddle ana
wheeled about I'VE chaps better be
making for the Lone Bull. Lees keep
ing your supper hot for you. Harryr'
"And there's lady waiting around
the corner for you" added Jim Lewis
over his shoulder as ne followed Crane.
"A lady--who-ahT' The question
died on Harry Barry's lips as the Wild
ow Clancy's little pony dashed toward
the cottonwood tree. bearing slender,
erect figure. with an auFeole OF au-
burn hair and dancing blue eyeH. There
was no lack of color in her cheeks
as she saw the stalwart fern Of
Harry.
"Gosh! Let's get out Of thisr gasped
lin Lewis as he followed the rest Of
the seven In their mad dash to escape
the tender scene that would follow.
"Let's go home and see Lee has sup
per plenty hot for Them" suggested
Gabriel. and soon the faithful seven
were dim dots on the twiht plain.
Following them in the mystic light
came Harry Barry and his sweetheart,
riding slowly. hand in hand