Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1913-05-23
CHAPTER K.
The Shame of Lot.ie May Dogsett-
and One Other.

"OLONEL TODHUNTER and
Mrs. TOdhunter were two Of the
~ great throng that attended the
grand reception and ball given
by the Sons of Confederate Veterans
at the Nineveh hotel.
The hotel dining room. festooned in
bunting for the occasion. was doing
duty as ballroom, the Nineveh brass
band was stationed upon temporary
platform at one end. and the members
of the Nineveh Light infantry, all Sons
of Veterans. We're there in full uniform.
Half an hour after the ball began
Tom Strickland came to the colonel
with troubled face.
Colonel" he said. that little Lottie-
May Doggett is booked for a mighty
unpleasant experience in few min
utes if somebody don't give her a
friendly warning"
whats the matter with Lottie- May
now. Temp
Swell. sir. it's pretty serious. There's
an ugly story about her that's got to
the ears Of the ladies tonight, some
thing scandalous, in which the name of
the man doesn't seem to be known, and
I've just had tip that she's going to
be asked to leave the ballroom. It'll
shame her beyond redemption. SIR"
do you know the story?''
only as it's being whispered around,
colonel. about some man being seen to
leave her house Mt hours Of the night
or early Morning that can't mean but
one thing. folks are claiming. I'm
afrnid ottie-May's in bad fix the
way things lock-"
''You amt mixed up In this trouble
are you. Tonl:"
Tom Strickland flushed III l was
colonel" he replied. II reckon Id be
man enough to try and get Lottie-May
out OF II myself without bothering any
body else. No. sir. amt mixed up in
It. But. good Lord. colonel. went to
school with Iottie-May when she
wasn't knee high to duck. and
swear I'd hate to see her publicly dis
graced. And you know-and know
1t would hurt old Rafe Doggett SO. It
would break his heart. SIR
Colonel Todhunter made no reply.
II thought. maybe. IL you could get
the chance. colonel" resumed Tom anx-
4 i0usly. THAT you might tell her and so
make It possible for her to slip away
before the ladies can do what they're
threatening to do. sir. Shell take It
from you, knowing that her GRANDPA
Their was In your old regiment and that
you're telling her for her own good,
where she might flare up and kick over
the traces II anybody else limited at
such = thing. Don't you think you
could work II. colonel?''
III do, Tom" replied Colonel Tod
hunter, It'll be for old Rafe Doggett's
sake. He's too good man to be
brought face to face with shame In his
old age. Yes, Ill try to do 1t. Tom.
But Id like TO wiring the neck Of the
young rascal that's got Old Rates.
granddaughter in such a mess. subj"
In accordance with this promise Colo
mel Todhunter found opportunity to
speak with Lottie-May Doggett. Very
frankly he told her OF the danger In
which she stood. The girl. vitality beau.
tiful. apparently as constituencies as
some wild thing of the woods, flashed
her hot resentment Of his words.
Il amt thankin' you for what you've
just said, Colonel Todhunter." she
cried. 1T strikes ME you're in mighty
small business to come to me with this
story
Il reckon am. Lottie May" agreed
Colonel Tolhunter In all honesty. but
wanted to save you and your old
grandfather from shame. and that
why done it,
The girls bosom was heaving with
passionate anger. I'D just like to
know WHO 1t was that got you to
come and speak to me about IT, she
exclaimed. who was 1t. Colonel Tod
hunter: Was 1t one of them ladies'
what thinks l amt good enough now
to associate with their daughters: I've
got the right to ask you this. and do
ask 1t. Who sent you here. Colonel
Todhunter!"
ut wasn't none of the ladies'. Lottie-
May Colonel Todhunter made answer
without the slightest hesitation. 1t
was Tom Strickland. He heard what
was goin' on, and he felt sorry for
you. the little girl he went to school
with when he was boy. And it
want meddlin' on his part. either. 1t
was plumb good heartedness.
The girl shivered as ii she had been
struck. tom Strickland" she re.
peated. almost as If speaking to her
self. TON Strickland-of all men.
He's maxim love to Miss Mary Tod
hunter, your own daughter. And be
knows that Id lay down and die for
him any day he give the word. And
it's Mrs. Todhunter that's been told of
all this talk about me. and that's goin'
to shame me here before all Nineveh.
Oh. but It's fine game you all are
niay'p' tn get me where l can't do no