The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1912-09-03

The men were sitting around in arm
chairs, but when they saw their fem
mime honorary member enter each and
every man rose and saluted. Kate
nodded to them and went straight on
to the Office of their captain.
After half an hours conference Kate
emerged from the hook and ladder
house attended by the commander.
who insisted on seeing her home. He
left her at her door and returned to
the engine house, while Kate went to
bed.
At 4 o'clock she arose, dressed her,
self. crept softly downstairs and went
out into the street. No one was about
at that early hour, all being slowed
away in bed. but at the corner she
found the captain Of the fire depart
ment with a carriage and several Of
his men with a fire engine. Kate en-
tered the carriage with the captain.
and. followed by the fire engine, they
were driven out OF town.
Just before o'clock-it was coming
daylight-the dueling parties were on
the ground making preparations for the
encounter An attempt was made by
the seconds to effect a reconciliation,
stating that the affair would appear at
least ridiculous and might result In a
tragedy. But man will make a guy
of himself about a woman especially
when he has a rival. quicker and more
obstinately than for any other cause,
and neither Of the principals would
bulge.
The ground was paced. the positions
marked and the men placed upon them
But just as a signal to fire was TO be
given one of the seconds called a halt
The rising sun was shining in bis prin-
cipal's eyes. A new arrangement was
made, and the contestants were placed
differently.
The delay proved fortunate.
Just as they were about to receive
the signal to fire carriage drove up.
followed by fire engine Kate Tracey
and the captain Of the hook and ladder
company jumped out of the carriage.
and at an order from the latter the en-
CINE began to play stream of water
on the duelists. In few seconds they
were drenched. and, since the water
was not overwarm. they shivered But
the flremen played on till Kate called
a halt
''Shake hands," she said.
Neither Of the principals would
They seemed chiefly concerned about
the ridiculous figure they cut. Every
one on the ground except themselves
was laughing Kate told the firemen
to continue the douche for awhile, then
renewed the order to shake hands But
another wetting was necessary before
they would obey. Then, upon the as
ssurance of all concerned that the af-
fair should proceed no further. Kate
and her attendant returned to the car
rage and, followed by the hremen.
drove back 70 town.
Though Kate had pledged all the fire.
men not to divulge the affair. 1t was
too good for the seconds to keep. II
got into the newspapers, and the frs
knowledge of it that Mr.. and Mrs.
Tracey received was through this
source
what shall we do with her?" ex-
claimed the father in perplexity.
"Oh, heavens! I don't know unless
we shut her up in a lunatic asylum"
replied the mother.
But the idea of shutting the young
lady in an asylum was not to be con-
sidered. her father averring that as
chief lunatic she would assume lead
ership of her fellow prisoners and take
command of the institution. But he
agreed that, since there was nothing
positively bad In his daughters make
up. 1t would be better to give her her
head" and let her set her own pace.
However, soon after the browning
episode of her single life. in which Miss
Kate extinguished a rivalry for her
hand with cold water. she fell deeply
in love with and was married to a
young man who is model of sobriety
and steadiness. He has heard about
his wife's escapades before her mar
rage and can't exactly understand
them. He says he doesn't see what all
the fuss and worry were about. He
doesn't see anything the matter with
her.