The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-01-04
CHAPTER XIV.
The Tragedy on the Black Bottoms
Road.

nOdO.
Colonel Todhunter saw Tom Strick-
land spring TO Mary side. catch hcS
in his arms. and, thus holding her,
face the group ot.women who had fall
en- back from him.
The next moment Mrs. Todhunter
had passed her own arms around the
girl, letting her sink into chair that
had been brought. The mothers face
was stern in condemnation.
For shame she said 10 Tom.
You are not III TO touch her. For
shame. sir"
Tom Strickand's face grew white.
His eyes. thar had met those of Mary
in mute 'entreaty. held Mrs Todhunt-
er Indignantly. For an instant he
seemed about to speak but the elder
lady bent above her daughter, obvious
~ ignoring him. The widening group
OF women looked at him with accusing
eyes. Lottie- May Doggett's dreadful
charge seemed still ringing in the air.
Apparently bewildered, Tom Strick-
land turned away, his helpless glance
resting for a breath of time on Mary S
face. The shock and shame of w-iat
in the look that met him. Then she
averted her gaze and Tom Strickland
lett her side. the women Whispering
behind him lIe- came direct 10 Col.
onel Todhunter.
/ must see you, Colonel" he nut
tered brokenly. You heard every
thing. didn't yoH2"
The Colonel nodded studying The
speaker closely. as they moved away.
What is ii, Tom?" he asked. WHAT
can 90 for you?"
Tom Strickland laughed. bitterly.
Nothing" he replied But | must
tell you the only thing | can do for
myself I've got TO see Stamford
Tucker and choke the truth out OF
him"
What DO you mean"
Il mean that he's got TO tell the
truth and face this scandal In my
place He's the one that's respons-
| ible, not /. God only knows what
| pos sessed Iottie.May Doggett TO lay
her disgrace at my door"
Colonel Todhunter drew quick sigh
/ OF relief IL that's the truth Tom
you're all right, and | must say In
! glad TO hear il, because the case
( looks mighty ugly for you otherwise
Urn have 20 speak plainly. Tom. as
7 Marys father. II you've got the
4 proofs thatll call STAN Tucker &c
time. produce 'em right now"
The younger man looked the speak
er In the face. white-hot anger in
his eyes. Then, suddenly, doubt and
something OF dismay took the place
OF rage. AT last he laughed, mock
ingly, as IL al himself
Il haven't got a shred OF proof,
he said. unless my own conviction
from what Lottie-May herself has tolc
me, can give hold on STAN Tucker
thatll make him toe the mark. I've
got the girls word that STAN Tucker
made love 20 her. and that she me-
him in secret"
And Lottie-May has just publicly
accused you. commented Colone
Todhunter. a curious expression il
mis- eyes as they rested upon Ton
Strickland's pale face. That's mighty
poor evidence. Tom The girl has
made 1t worthless in advance. No
body on earth would believe you"
Tom Strickland lifted one clenchec
hand and smote II savagely into the
open palm OF the other
Nobody but STAN Tucker" he
cried, He'll know it's the truth. and
he'll know that Lottie- May told me
because she was trying TO make me
his rival And he's got TO confess
that It's the truthful kill him IL he
don't"
Stop right there, Tom" exclaimed
/ Colonel Todhunter, sternly. You're
maxim the biggest fool OF yourself
that's possible on all this earth to Z
man In your Ak, subj"
Fool or no fool" cried Tom Strick
land. I'm not going 10 let this thins
lay az my door when know The
guilty man-and know. besides, tha
he wouldn't ask nothing better'n fol
Miss Mary 70 throw me over on &C
count OF this. so that he could marry
her. That's the situation. Colone
Todhunter, and no man fit TO be called
"a man would let Siam Tucker x
free -
If you 90 lookin for STAN Tucker
now Tom said Colonel Todhuntel
quietly. 'there'll be shootin' scrapt
In less'n two minutes after you two
come together. and somebody's
mighty apt TO get killed, II it's YOU
the difficulty amt helped you any
that | can see If it's STAN Thicker
.hpu Won re- worse Offin avar ho,at,e,