The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1913-07-03
Colonel
TODtiUNTER
of Missouri
BY RIPLEY D. SAUNDERS
6pvsht. 1911. BY the Bobhs.merf
Company
CHAPTER VII.
Tom Strickland Faces Colonel Tod.
hunter In a Sentimental Crisis

Tom Strickland. IT ism sut'
for you to drive home aIonS
It's all very well to make be
lieve that you're not afraid OF horse
but know better. Won't you let me
zee you homer
The two had met Ia the lazy quiet Of
Nineyeh's town square, and Tom was
quick TO see his opportunity Mary
Todhunter laughed at his apprehensivt
manner
How can you keep a straight face
when you say that. Tom she asked
~You know az well as | do that I've
driven old Solomon million times
more or less. and that nothing on earth
would make him run away.
"You can never tell about these old
reliables." snid Tom. Solomon might
take 1t Into his bend 70 get fiisky any
minute. | can see devilment in his eye
right now"
He placed an entreating hand on the
buggy's side.
well, get IN. them conceded Mary.
tossing her pretty head. II reckon |
won't have any peace until ! let you
have your own way
Tom swung himself into the buggy
Instantly. That's mighty wise con
the relns aud heading old solomon To-
ward the shady roud that led 10 Alary's
home. Il wish 10 goodness you'd mike
up your mind to ii as a permanent
thing"
Mary flashed mockery az him. II
reckon you do" she exclaimed. ITS
just like you. But there's no danger of
it's coming to pass. Mr.. Tom Strick
iand"
They were now well out OF the drow-
ny town. Old Solomon trotted content
edly along under the leafy foliage that
arched his always welcome homeward
way
'"rhats one reason I'd like to see
your father elected governor" contin-
ned Mary. "Those Jefferson City girls
viii soon teach you your proper place,
Tom Strickland. even though you are
the governors son
TIN not the governors son yet.
Mary" responded Tom. an Intentional
meekness In his tone. rAnd even II
the time ever comes that am. Jeffer-
son city viii see mighty little OF me-"
What do YOU mean?" asked Mary. |
s''You'll certainly have to 20 to the
state capital when Colonel and Mrs.
Strickland SO. won't your
Toms face took on an injured ex-
preston. Il declare. Mary" he spoke,
you never seem to realize that I'm no
longer boy Please remember that
I'm grown man now and that I've
studied law and been admitted to prac-
tice at the Missouri BAR
Laughter cleaned In Mary's eyes.
well. Mr.. Thomas Strickland. great
lawyer that you are she Knocked. |
what thenl"
.'Why, just this. that intend 10 stay |
right here In Nineveh." announced Tom
loftily. It's all settled too. I'm going
10 be taken into partnership with my
father and old Judge Boiling. aud then
l can hold my fathers practice II he's
elected. Anyway. I'm TO he II partner
Strickland. Boiling n Strickland that's
how the new sign will readr
Mary laughed outright Goodness
me-" she cried. Wont we be big
mxn then? oh. Tom. It'll be such fun
60 hear you make a speech In court.
OF the jury
SHANE on you. Mary Todhunter"
cried Tom, reddening boyishly. Its
just like you. though. You've poked
FUN at me all your life"
Il haven't eitherr denied Mary In
stantiy. i've only laughed at your
high and mighty ways now and then.
aud you know it,
Toms angry eyes looked straight to
the front
you had no right to say that about
me" continued Mary. "I've been
mighty good to YOU"
up to a certain point. yes" agreed
Tom, But just the minute get seri-
Gus about anything you begin laughing
mt me-"
''Why, Tom, l don't do anything of +
the sortr protested Mary. u never
dreamed of such thing! You can try
me this very minute and seer'
''All right, willr' spoke Tom quick
ly. "Mary. love you. want you TO
promise to be my wife. Won't you?
I've loved you all my lifer'
"Tom Stricklandr cried Mary, blush
ing holly You ought to be ashamed
of yourself! You've got no right to say
that just because-just because IL
was trying to be good to your'
MARY. said Tom sturdily. IF you
don't know I've been in love with you
all this time you must be blind. And
now I've told you. why-well. you've
got TO give me an answer-and | love
YOU so that I'm afraid to hear it. If
it's novel; it'll break my heart, that's
allv
There was no answer to his pleading.
Mary had given him one startled look.