Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1913-05-30

~ lfolt L LII after noon the next ia!
Colonel Todhunter stopped 10 at
~ the Sfricklands' on his way
home. rs was not unu>uul for
him to do. In reply TO an apparently
careless question. Margaret Strickland.
Toms eldest sister. told him that Tom
had gone into town soon after break
fast.
Colonel Todhunter returned into Min
eveh at once, after explaining to Mar
garet Strickland that he had forgotten
to execute certain housekeeping mis-
sions for Mrs. Todhunter before driv
ing out But he found no trace Of Tom
Strickland until tie came to certain
barroom freQuented mainly by the
Yancey and Tucker factions in politics.
Colonel" said the bartender. in an
swer to a question. Tom Strickland
was in here. sir. about two hours ago,
lookin' for STAN Tucker Not findin'
him. and waitin' here quite awhile in
hopes of his turnin' up. he wrote note
yonder at that table and sent 1t out by
one of the town boys to STAINS house.
Then he went away. sir"
"Have you any idea where he went?"
The bartender hesitated for a mo-
ment Then: Well. Colonel Todhunt-
err" he said ut last. II believe. from
the way he was talkin'. that he went
to see that girl. Lottie- May Doggett.
that the scandals about now. sir. He
was drinkin' pretty heavy. colonel. and
he talked pretty threatenin' about STAN
Tucker, aud it seemed to me that the
two things was connected In some way
his trouble with STAN and his trou-
BILE with the girl I'm inclined to think
there's difficulty brewin. colonel"
Leaving the barroOm. Colonel Tod
hunter drove directly out to old Rafe
Doggett's place Neither the girl nor
her grandfather was ut home. Return
ing into Nineveh he encountered Sim
Birdsong. who wore an anxious face.
''I've Just seen STAN Tucker. suh!'
cried Sim. I'VE aren't bit too soon
in layin' our plans to prevent trouble.
Colonel Todhunter. He's Just got
note from Tom Strickland tellin' him
to come into town tonight II he don't
want to have serious trouble at his
own home instead. 40 it's plain that
Tom Strickland's on the warpath. SUBJ"
"What's STAIN Tucker goin' to do?"
HE amt goin' into town. colonel.
He told me that he had an engage
ment to call on a young lady. so he
wouldn't be ut home anyway II Tom
came there lo0kin' for him. and. be-
sides. he says he'll do most anything
to prevent trouble Just at this time.
He's as anxious to get away on that
nshin' frolic as we are to have him
get away. Colonel Todhunter."
I'm powerful glad to hear It," COM
mented the colonel. well. with STAN
Tucker not goin' into town and not
stayin' at home and Tom Strickland
not KNOWN where he's to be found. l
reckon things are pretty tolerable SAT
for tonight But don't you fail to get
STAN on on that fishing jaunt before
daybreak tomorrow. Sim"
II won't. subj promised Sim Bird.
song earnestly. I'll get him II have
to drag him ny the scruff O. the neck!'
Arising early the next morning.
Colonel Todhunter drew in deep
breath Of fresh air. grateful Of soul.
Thank the Lord he said to him
self ''Stam fuckers gone with Sim
and the other boys. and we've got a
few days breathin' time anyway be-
fore there's any further danger"
But even as Colonel TOdhunter thus
spoke young Stamford Tucker lay
dead at home. He had been shot the
night before. and Tom Strickland now
was held prisoner in the little Nine
web Jail accused Of his murder
messenger hearing these dreadful
tidings arrived as the colonel stood on
the front gallery enjoying the fresh
ness OF the morning. He came from
Tom Strickland, himself.
Colonel Todhunter received the news
In silence. his gray brows bent until
his eyes were bnt two glints Of metal
lie blue gray beneath. his grim lips set
in an infiexiblp line
'.Tell Tom III be with him right
away" he said nt the story's compile
ton. And tell him to keep his cour-
age up-I'm going to do everything
can for him.
was heavy for Mary's sake. for Toms
dire peril and knowing well that IL
wonld all come near to breaking the
heart Of Colonel Bill Strickland his
lifelong friend But il was no time Ia
sit in cold judgment upon Toms sin
The boy must receive all the help that
WAS in the power Of mortal man 70
give
Hating moment mt the Ninevcu
hotel IL send n telegram 10 the Hon
William J. Strickland. now himself
campaigning In northern Missouri
Colonel Todhunter then hurried to the
Jail. The moment his eyes fell on Ton
StrickIand's face he knew that the lad
had been drinking heavily. The two
clasped hands and stood facing eacl
other in silence. At last the colone