Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-05-10
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Fool or no fool" cried Tom Strick,
land. I'm not going to let this thing
lay at my door when know the guilty
man. and know, besides. he wouldn't
ask nothing hetter'n for Miss Nars
to throw me over on account of this SO
that he could marry her. That's the
situation. Colonel Todhunter, and no
man 1T to be called n man would let
STAN Tucker so freew
IF you go lookin' for STAN Tucker
now, Tom" said Colonel Todhunter
quietly, "there'll be a shootin' scrape
in less'n two minutes after you two
come together and somebody's mighty
apt to get killed. If it's you, the diff
Guilty amt helped you any that | can
see. If it's STAN Tucker, then you're
worse offn ever, because he'll be dead
and you'll be held for KILN him and
Lottie-May Doggett's accusation will
stand against you. Have some sense,
my boy, before it's too late"
Tom Strickland laughed at the words.
"Hll have sense enough" he retorted.
"I'll see that STAN Tucker don't profit
by this thing And there's only one
way to see to it-and that's by having
it out with STAN Tucker himself and
making him tell the truth. You can't
interfere in this matter. sir. even
though you are Miss Mary's father.
No third party can take a hand in it,
sir"
Colonel Todhunter contemplated the
speaker earnestly for moment. Then
he nodded.
You're right. Tom" he conceded. 81
reckon you'n STAIN Tucker'll have TO
sift this out between you. and tn
amt nobody else can lift finger But
I've just got one favor to ask of you
before you go any further, my boy"
whats that. sir?'' asked Tom. 81
don't mean TO be disrespectful, colonel,
and I'm willing to meet you as far as
can, but you see now just how things
are between STAN Tucker and me-"
I'm not saying another word" an
swered Colonel Todhunter. The only
thing | want you to do, Tom. is not TO
go lookin' for STAN Tucker tonight. In
the first place, he's right here. and
you amt got no business runnin' the
chance of provokln' a serious personal
difficulty where there's women, and in
the second place. you'd better get a
nights sleep for your own good. Tom.
I'm talkin' plain to you, my boy, be-
cause good deal depends on it. The
chances are million to one that therell
be some shootin' before you'n STAN
Tucker get through with your argu-
ment, and cool head and a steady
hand are mighty useful things to have
at such a time"
I'm cool enough, sir" replied Tom
Strickland.
But the colonel shook his head.
TON" he said. 81 want you TO prom
Use me to go quietly home right now
and 20 to bed. After tonight the games
in your own hands, and you eau play
1t any way you see fit. This is all I'm
goin' to ask of you. Go home and get
a good nights rest, TOM" There was
just the least shake in the speakers
voice.
Tom Strickland hesitated.
go home. Tom" said Colonel Tod
{ hunter Il wouldn't be a true friend
of your father IL L let you take any
/ foolish chances in an affair of this
kind. And I'm thinkin' OF Mary, too,
when / say this You go home now"
! Tie coloners grim lips were trembling
little.
Tom Strickland nodded. "AIl right
colonel he spoke finally. "I'n go
I home. won't try TO do anything fur
/ Their until tomorrow, sir
That's all | ask, Tom," replied the
( colonel.
But he saw to 1t that the younger
man got away from the perilOus scene
! without being subjected TO temptation
that might compel him to break his
word. And then. knowing that Tom
Strickland was safely on the road
home. Colonel TOdhunter looked up
Sim Birdsong without losing q mo
ment's time
sim" he said, 81 want you to see
STAN Tucker tonight without fail and
tell him not 10 come into town to-
morrow. Just say this TO him-that
Tom Strickland's Iookin' for him on
account o this here Lottie May Dog
gett business and there's a-goin 10 lie
trouble If they meet. and then you
come back here and tell me what he
says I'm tryin' to prevent sbOOtin'
scrape, Sim, end this is the only way