The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1913-04-01
trollable anguish.
The next moment the door had closed
upon the two, shutting them out from
Nineveh's vision.
CHAPTER XIV.


StrickIands acquittal. and hav-
ing first congratulated Tom
himself, Mrs Nodhunter turned to
Colonel Strickland. who stood with her
husband few feet away, Colonel Tod
hunter having by this time Joined the
group.
81 feel sure you know how rejoiced 1
am that Tom has been acquitted" she
said, her frank eyes testffying to the
truth. IT have always loved him as If
he was my own son. But L had to do
what I did after that dreadful night of
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"
81 know just how you felt. Mrs. Tod
hunter replied Colonel Strickland. ''1t
was terrible situation. Naturally, 1t
hurt US all that Tom was made to APP
pear guilty, but there was the cold fact
that Lottie-1Iay Doggett publicly de-
clared hin. guilty, and it seemed in
credible that she would do this if he
was innocent. And 1 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.
" delivered that message OF yours to
Tom, Miss Mary he said. 1.-THE mes
sage you gave me when he was in the
jail just wish you could have seen
how proud and happy it made him! He
needed it mighty bad that day"
Mary blushed rose red. please don't
remind Tom of my message, Colonel
StrickiandT' she cried in a pretty con-
fusion. "I'n be ashamed to look him in
the face again if you dol"
81 don't see why you should be-"
laughed Colonel Strickland. 'It just
simply proved to Tom at a mighty well
come time that the young lady he loved
SO dearly loved him in return. SO you
ought to be proud OF it instead of
ashamed"
And at this juncture Colonel Tod
hunter interviewed Don't you let that
land,' he chuclkIed 'sShe's as proud of
that there love sick message to her
sweetheart at such romantic moment
as If it was all in a sentimental story
and she,owas 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 furieusIy- as the others
laughed
"When she and Tom are married."
repeated Colonel Strickland, his eyes
resting fondly on Mary's face. Doesn't
that sound good, though"
Then he turned pointblank to Mrs.
Todhunter. when shall it be, Mrs
Todhunter? p he asked. You and Miss
Mary have got to be good now and
name an early day. When shall 1t be?'
But at this alarming question Mary
herself gave little cry OF maidenIy
protest, frant1cally clutched her moth
er's arm and fairly dragged Mrs Tod
hunter out of range, yet not with entire
success, for the latter turned a laugh
ing face back to Colonel Strickland as
she was thus conveyed away.
Never you mind, Colonel Strick-
land" she made fleeing answer. I'm
going to work hard for Tom. I ought
to do 1t, and WILL i
That same evening Colonel Todhu1l-
ter went to confer with the Hon. VIII
liam J. Strickland at his home concern
ing the latter's campaign prospects.
The outlook was not encouraging.
''Bfn," said Colonel Todhunter,
there's just one chance for US. TOMS
acQu1tta1 may bring about reaction of
public sentiment in your favor if two
days is time enough for the news to
sink in and create the natural effect.
They'll all know of it. The St Louis
and Kansas City papers are full of the
excitfn' story of his sudden acquittaI,
and every other newspaper in the state
will have lot about it. I That's where
1t may prove a boomerang for the Yam
cey gang. They worked up public in
terest In the case, thinkin' it would
ruin you body and SOUL
Colonel Strickland shook his head.
TITS too late, Thurs he replied 81
reckon I'll have to stay beat But I
amt worrying about that. Z want to
near now that my campaign fund has
been raised, so as to put you out of
1anger of any loss.''
The light of battle was in Colonel
rodhunter's eyes.
I'm thinkin' about your gettin' that
here nomination, Bill Strickland!' he
exclaimed. "Not about the money,
Now that we got .em beat in Toms |
;ase, I'd like to whip 'em straight down |
he line, subj
CTo be Continued.)
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