Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1912-02-02
think there's some mistake now and
that Harry can't be done away within

Va NOulN Nuulhli ~ "lbs Sluue
cy lifted her tear stained face and
turned drenched blue eyes upon him.
Gabriel was relieved. To see the
spunky little widow giving way to
grief was so foreign to her disposition
that he was alarmed.
"Mebbe you'd like to wait here while
we go and investigate" he suggested,
but the widow was firm In her deter
mination TO be on the spot,
you amt used to such scenes,
ma'am." protested Crane mildly, for
they had paused to discuss the ques-
ton.
II may as well get used to tiff IL
kills me-" declared Mrs. Clancy, and
then. fixing glowing eyes upon each in
turn, she said earnestly: IL want you
to understand | appreciate you've been
good friends to me ever since | came
from the east. md | know you've al
ways been good friends TO Harry. but IL
I'm convinced that his being up there IL
your fault--why, why, the whole seven
OF you will hang for II II l have to do
II myself" The widow looked per-
fectly capable Of engineering any num-
Der OF lynchlngs at that moment.
Absurd rs was the situation from ono
point OF view there was the tragedy
in the background and It was Il grave
ly preoccuplcd party that swung
around the last hill as the sun dropped
Its lower rim below the horizon.
A yellow shaft OF sunlight struck
the cottonwoods, and from the tallest
one something dangled from n 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 stand.
still under the cottonwood tree they
slipped from their saddles and hesitat-
ed. Harry Barrys roam horse whin-
MED sharply and then, apparently
from the air above them, came fam
illar voice. peevish, as II from long
waiting.
Don't stand staring like idlots I'm
plumb tired out hanging up herep It
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
his face was quite pale. He smiled
as cheerlly as ever as they gathered
around him
Another one on me-" he grinned
sheepishly when they had administer
ed restoratives to him. ~ was coming
back from dosing the sick crItter,
when l took a notion to climb that
there tree and look around the land
and see II there was anybody | knew
sashaying around-laugh II you
wanterW he said as n knowing smile
went the round of the group
II went up In the tree, and looked,
and thought saw way off an old
friend Of mine" (he showed all his
white teeth. land 10 was In a hurry
to get down, and my heel caught in
crooked little branch, and fell ker-
PUNK till handy little stump OF "A
broken limb caught hold OF my belt.
and there hung as fine MS silk. That
was all beautiful and nice, only, gents,
It was 80 that there was sharp
little ilrongy branch sticking out Of
the tree right behind my shoulders.
and couldn't move hand or foot with
out ketchlng It like n knife so there l
hung till went to sleep while back.
When ! woke up was nll numb and
cold from hanging there. I'm feeling
better now, thanks. Next thing l
knew l heard you fellers coming and
seen you out the corner Of my eye"
They examined tho small ragged tear
IN Harry's shirt between his shoulder
blades. and they saw that the flesh
was red and bruised from the tortur-
ing branch that had pierced It.
"You had narrer escape" said
Gabriel sOberly.
1T guess you won't got TO breaking
no laws now" joked Hem Wayland.
you've somehow got tnste OF what
necktie party feels like when you're
the guest OF honor"
Crane had ridden ahead 10 break tho
good news 10 Mrs Clancy, and Gabriel
suddenly vaulted into his saddle and
wheeled about. 1--WE chaps better be
making for the Lone Bull. Lees keep
Ing your supper hot for you, HarryW
"And there's lady waiting around
the corner for you" added Jim Lewis
over his shoulder as he followed Crane.
"A lady who-nhP The question
died on Harry Barry's lips us the Wild
Ow Clancy's little pony dashed toward
the cottonwood tree, bearing a slender,
erect figure. with an aureole Of au-
burn hair and dancing blue eyes. There
was no lack Of color in her cheeks
M she saw the st0lwart form Of
Harry
Gosh! Let's get out Of thisw gasped
Jim Lewis ms he followed the rest OF
the seven IN their mad dash TO escape
The tender scene that would follow.
Tets go home and see Lee has sup
Der plenty hot for them" suggested
Gabriel. and soon the faithful seven
vere dim dots on the twillt plain
Following them In the mystic light