Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-05-07
STA. .DARD ROUTE OF THE WEST

But the next moment his face was
grave. He laid his hand on young
Strickland's shoulder.
Tom. my boy" he said. I'D rather
give Mary to you than to any other
man in the world. and you ought to
ha' known it without my .tellin' you.
I've known you and liked you all the
time you've been CROWN up. and 1
love your father like he was my own
brother. am glad you and Mary
have got it all settled. and I'm sure
Mrs. Todhunter thinks as much of you
as do. God bless you and Mary both.
my boy"
There was sudden break in the
colonefs voice. It's up to you and
Mary to arrange all the rest of it,
young man." he spoke again after
little pause Then. with a whimsical
smile: And all of your troubles are
ahead of you both. May the good Lord
have mercy on your souls"
A splendid gratitude shone in Toms
eyes "All I've got to say is this Colo
mel Todhunter" he said. God helping
me. I'll make Mary. the best husband in
the world"
you'll need the Good Marster's help
considerable. too. my boy" responded
Colonel Todhunter quizzicalIy. And
don't bank on bein' too blamed success
full in that there undertaken, sub. Be
in a good husband amt no sinecure,
not by long shot. It's the biggest con-
tract you ever undertook. and you've
got TO keep hammerin' away at it ev'ry
minute. sub It's enough TO skeer q
man to death. Tom, If it want for one
thing-bein' Il good husband means
havin' happy wife. and that's the I'm
est thing on Gods green footstool. You
just live up to that great truth, Tom,
and it's all I'll ask of you"
You won't have to ask more than
once, Colonel Todhunter." replied Tom
fervently. IN think of nothing but
Mary's happiness all my life, sir. And
thatll mean mine. too; we're going TO
be the happiest couple in all the world,
| colonel"
Now that's where you slip up again.
Tom" said Colonel TOdhunter Mar
ried life amt just one long dream Of
unallOyed bliss. not by a jugful, sub.
You got to take it as it comes. the bad
with the good. and sometimes 1t may
look like the good amt as plentiful as
it might be. but That's percisely when
you got to sit tight and watch and pray
for a change o. luck And mans wife
amt no chronic angel: young man. no
mOrent q woman's husband is You'll
be powerful lucky If Mary makes you
as good a wife as her mothers made
me, but. all the same. I've seen days
when Mrs. TOdhunter looked more like
q destrOyin' cyclone TO me than any
thing else. And she can tell Il hundred
Shortcomings on me where | can tell
you one on her. so there you are. sub.
It's give and take, that's what ii is,
and you just got to do your best. keep
Oh whistlin for cheerfuiness' sake and
stand ready to make a quick duck if
things get too stormy. subj
Tom Strickland could not help but
laugh. We'll. colonel he responded.
IF Mary and / are as happy as you
and Mrs. TOdhunter I'll be more than
satisfied. And I'll try to make her
good husband. promise you that
Il know you will, Tom" replied
Colonel Todhunter And l know
Mary'i try 10 fill her part o the con
tract the same way too"
The young mans gaze went nervous
~ past the door through which Mary
and her mother had vanished
Il wonder where they are. colonel;"
be ventured apprehensiyely. Il hope
there's nothing serious happening.
Colonel Todbunter tugged at his griZ-
zled mustache TO keep from smiling
openly in Toms face
Don't you worry Bone about Mary
and her mother. sub" he spoke.
They're just bavin a heart to heart