The Detroit times., 1911-12-09
80 COLONEL q
~ TODHUNTER ~
@/MSSOLleI NT~|
Dr RIPLEY D. SAUNDERS
copykA tisIIT The Merrill Company
Dr RIPLEY D.SAUNDtRs.
NcopyrxAt. ,srI, The BobSs Merrill Company

ter mind your own business and let
my affairs alone."
Land alive, what spit.cat about
nothin," protested the other But
Tom Strickland better leave STAN
Tucker alone. My brother says STAN
always carries pistol and IL a danger.
Gus man when his blood's up"
Lottie- Mays eyes flashed instant dis
dain. II reckon Tom Strickland can
take care of himself" she retorted
holly. Il wouldn't be afeared for him
in a difficulty with STAN Tucker"
Her companion laughed triumph.
antly. II caught you that time, Lot
tie-Mayi' she cried Il just wanted
to see which you liked the best, STAN
or Tom. And it's Tom, that's who
IL is"
You think you're smart. don't your"
countered Lottie May. but blushing
angrily. We'll. you amt. Neither
one of 'em is maxim me lay awake
OF nights, I can tell you"
It'll be Tom does IL, II anybody
does" calmly returned the other.
But they amt a-goin' TO clench this
time. at any rate. Pete Fanshaw's
Just called EN- down and put stop
to their foolishness."
Lottie-May was still Tuning with
resentment OF this open bantering
concerning Tom Strickland and STAN
Tucker when she started homeward.
Not at all unwilling TO accept the Sc
cret wooing OF either, she intuitively
shrank from the open coupling or
their names with hers. The shadow
OF her mothers shame oppressed her.
and IT was only In moments OF sudden
anger or other excitement that she
surrendered to a mood Of reckless de-
fiance OF her dark inheritance.
Even now. however. 1t gave Lottie-
May a thrill OF vainful triumph TO re-
member that STAN Tucker was await.
ing her somewhat farther along her
lonely homeward way through the
night and that he would accompany
her as near 10 her suspicious old
grandfather's house as she dared per.
nit But Tom Strickland himself in
tervened before her meeting with
STAN Tucker this night. He, too. was
homeward bound. encountering the
girl at a secluded crossing OF their
respective roads. Lottie-M Mays heart
gave great leap as she recognized
the girls manner. She moved until
pulse OF passionate enticement pos
sessed her soul.
Goodness me. Tom Strickland :"
she cried. You skeered me most TO
death! took you for one of them
Black Bottoms men from the trappin'
camp
Emphasizing her claim OF panic she
stood very close to Tom. A loose
strand of her hair blew against her
face. Her dark eyes were velvety
with unconcealed tempting. her voice
vibrant with the appeal OF sex.
You oughtn't 10 be going home by
yourself at this time of night, Lottie
May" said Tom. 1T amt safe-for
as young and-and as pretty a girl as
you are. His voice shook just a
little.
Lottie-May laughed There, Tom,
you've actually paid me com
pliment," she exclaimed. a perilous
exultation curving her red lips. ITS
the first one. too. Maybe you amt so
hard hearted in the nighttime as you
are In the daytime, Tom"
There was the frankest woolng in
the girls manner She moved until
her softly rounded young shoulder
touched Toms arm. The young man
breathed quickly, his eyes suddenly
glowing.
II never saw the day | was afraid
to tell you how pretty you are!" he
said. But that's just the trouble
right now | don't like TO see you
going home alone so late at night"
Lottie-May Doggett felt hot glow
of love for Tom Strickland thrill her
young body through and through. AT
the same instant, though remember
ing, she recklessly ignored the fact
that STAN Tucker was waiting for
her farther along the way.
Maybe you better come home with
me then, Tom" she said softly. All
the lure of sexual surrender sounded
in her speech. Tom Strickland
laughed.
That's what I'm going to do, Lot
tie-May," he responded. I'D never
forgive myself II anything happened TO
you, with me knowing you had to go
home alone. You-you're sure you're
willing for me to come with your"
The girls eyes were liquid soft.
'eWillin'?" she repeated. You know
I'm willin'-and more than willin'.
Tom. | Just asked you-and | amt
never goin to forget this night as
long as / live"
(ContInued.J
Siiu stoclings were first manufac-