The Detroit times., 1912-01-09
CHAPTER XVII.
(COntlnued.l

Colonel Todhunter's face grew hard
and grim. mo. they WON'T" he said
stubbornly. They can't do il. They
amt got Rothin' against Tom but cir
cumstantial evidence. and il surely
ought to be mighty hard. here in
Nineveh, 10 convict a boy like Tom,
well known and comm OF family
that's lived here so long, on circum-
stantial evidence alone. They'll try
their damnedest TO do Il, Bill. but they
can't Tom'll get the benefit of the
doubt"
There was something deeply pa
thetic In this eager clutching at the
one remaining strand or hope. The
two old friends were now making their
way toward the jail TO see Tom. Sud
denly they came face TO face with
Mrs. Todhunter and Mary
The girl advanced directly toward
them with out-stretched hand, her
mother following.
"Howdy, Colonel Strickland" she
said, her voice trembling little.
You're on your way TO visit Tom,
aren't you?"
Yes, Miss Mary" replied Toms
father quietly. The trial begins to-
morrow. and | only left him 10 meet
Colonel Todhunter, and he's return
ing with me-"
Colonel Strickland" said Mary
resolutely. though her voice shook
more than ever, Il want you TO carry
message to Tom rom me"
There was a curious little pause.
| Mrs. Todhunter laid her hand gently
| on her daughters arm. But the girl
moved away from the touch, not
harshly. yet as II she felt II 10 be a
| protest.
Il want you 10 give Tom my love,
/ Colonel Strickland" she said. And
want you 10 tell him, for me. that
don't believe one word bf these awful
| charges against him-not one word
either about STAN Tucker or about
that-that girl"
And as she spoke Mary Todhunter
burst out crying. She dabbed piteous
/ " at her face with her handkerchief
unable TO control her emotions. Then
sobbing, she turned away with her
mother, no other word being spoken
God bless that girl OF yours
Thurs" spoke Colonel Strickland. his
own voice unsteady. She's good grit
clear through-and, somehow, she
gives me more courage than I've had
for many day They haven't got
Tom yet-and they'll have the fight OF
their lives before they do get him /"
That's the talk" cried Colone
Todhunter. Face EN- that way, Bill
and we'll make rem strain their souls
for every inch they try TO gain They
/ a. d no "a Nnn
der In them skies, Bill. they got Il
do it,"
But the little flicker OF encourage
ment caused by girls brave words
: soon died away in the Lomber shadow
: OF Tom Strickland's prison 1t was
two very weary and gray-faced ole
: men who came away from the prisoner
: an hour later and parted at the jail''
front, each to go to- his own home.
: That evening Colonel Todhuntel
went by appointment to the Stricklant
home for a conference with Toms
father and Major Gentry Dryden. lead
ing counsel for the defense. II wa
nearly midnight when he returned L
his own home.
He found Aunt Mifandy Ransom
r there. The old Negress rose, trem
{ bling, at sight Of him, her black hand
futtering toward him in instinctiv,
) gladness Of welcome.
"Bres Gawd. yo' done GOMEZ" sh'
} cried. II been eatin' my ole heart on
waitin' fo'-yo'. sub! Kunnl Todhunter
, yo' got some mighty quick an ticklisl
+ wu'k cut out 70 yo ef yo' gwlne say,
: Mars Tom Strickland's life-das hue
. come hyar now to tell 20 erbout II
/, subj"