The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1913-07-31
Colonel
TODHUNTFR
of Missouri
By RIPLEY D. SAUNDERS
Copyright. 1911. BY the Bobhs-Mern
Company
CHAPTER XIV.
Copyright. 1911. BY the Bobhs-MerIn
Company
Colonel Todhunter c0nfronta Defeat.

~ URING lull IN the excited j.
bilation that followed Toi
Strickland's acquittal. and ha,
ing first congratulated Tor
himself. Mrs. Todhunter turned {
Colonel Strickland. who stood with he
husband few feet away. Colonel Tod
hunter having BY this time Joined til
group.
Il feel sure you know how rejoiced
am that Tom has been acquitted" sh
said. her frank eyes testifying to tn,
truth. II have always loved him as 1
he was my own son. But had TO d,
what ] did after that dreadful night o
the party at the hotel. The accusation
made against him by that girl. Lottie
May Doggett. left me no alternative
but to forbid him seeing Mary unless
he could clear himself OF the sin with
which the girl herself charged him."
II know just how you felt. Mrs. Tod
hunter" replied Colonel Strickland. I'll
was terrible situation. Naturally. II
hurt us all that Tom was made 10 APP
Iear guilty. but there was the cold fact
that Lottie-May Dogeett publicly de-
ciared him guilty. and II seemed In
credible that she would do this II he
was innocent. And know now that
you are sincerely glad because the
truth has come out. You don't have TO
tell me anything about IT. ma'am''
AT this moment Mary herself. great
happiness shining In her face. although
her eyes Were wet with tears. Joined
the group. Colonel Strickland turned to
her with smile
Il delivered that message OF yours to
Tom, Miss Mary" he said "The mes
snge you gave me when he was In the
Jail. | Just wish you could have seen
how proud and happy II made him. He
needed II mighty bad that day"
Mary blushed rose red. "Please don't
remind Tom OF my message. Colonel
Stricklandr' she cried In pretty con
fusion. "l'll be ashamed TO look him In
the face again II you do
Il don't see why You should be-"
laughed Colonel Strickland 1T just
simply proved TO Tom ut mighty vel
come time that the young lady he loved
30 dearly loved him in return, so you
ought 20 be proud OF 1t instead OF
ashamed"
And ut this juncture Colonel Tod.
hunter interviewed. Don't you let that
Mary Todhunter fool You. Bin Strick.
land" he chuckicd shes as proud OF
that there love sick message to her
sweetheart at such romantic moment
as II Il was all In sentimental story
and she was the heroine OF the story. |
And when she and Tom have gone and
got married-well. between you and
me and the gatepost I'll bet poor Tom |
never hears the last OF IT,"
Mary blushed furiously as the Others
lsughed
when she and Tom are married.
Colonel Strickland. his eyes
resting fondly ON Mary.s face. Doesn't
that sound good thought"
Then he turned pointblank to Mrs
Iodhunter. when shall 1t be. Mrs
fodhunter2' be asked. ''You and Miss
Mary have got to be good now and
lame an early day. When shall 1t bef"
But ut this alarming question Mary
herself gave a little cry OF maidenly
Protest. frantlcally clutched her moth.
RS arm and fairly dragged Mrs. Tod
iunter out of range. yet not with entire
success. for the latter turned laugh.
ng face back to Colonel Strickland as
he was thus conveyed away.
Never you mind. Colonel Strick
and" she made fleeing answer. I'm
DING to work hard for Tom. / ought
0 do It. and will"
That same evening Colonel Todhun.
er went to confer with the Hon VIII.
am j. Strickland at his home concern.
ng the latter's campaign prospects. =
he outlook was not encouraging.
BILL" said Colonel Todhunter. .
there's just one chance for us. Toms !
cquittal may bring about reaction OF 7
ublic sentiment in your favor il two U
avs Is time enough for the news to y
INK In and create the natural effect J
'heyll all know Of II. The st Louis d
nd Kansas City papers are full of the L
xcitin' story of his sudden acquittal
nd every other newspaper in the state L
Ill have a lot about It, That's where G
may prove a boomerang for the Yam
~ gang, They worked up public in RI
,rest in the case. thinkin' it would n
lin you body and soul \
Colonel Strickland shook his head. n
It's too late. Thurs" he replied. II L
'ckon III have to stay beat. But | b
mt worrying about that / want to a
ear now that my campaign fund has G
cen raised. so as to put you out of S
anger OF any loss" Fl
The light of battle was in Colonel d
odhunter's eyes. g
I'm thinkin' about your gettin' that u
lere nomination, Bill Stricklandp' he
1ciaimed Not about the money. +
ow that we got 'em beat in Toms y
lse, I'd like to whip 'em straight down tc
le line. sub"