The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1913-07-10
Colonel Todhunter of
Missouri.
Continued from Preceding Page

''I'll see that STAN Tucker don't profit
by this thing. And there's only one
way to see TO it-and that's by having
it out with STAN Tucker himself and
making him tell the truth. You can't
Interfere In this matter, sir, even
though you are Miss Mary's father
No third party can take a hand In It.
SIR"
Colonel Todhunter contemplated the
speaker earnestly for moment Then
he nodded.
You're right. Tom he conceded. Il
reckon you'n STAN Tucker'll have to
sift this out between you. and tn
amt nobody else can lift finger. But
I've just got one favor to ask Of you
before you go any further. my boy
What's that. sirT' asked Tom. 81
don't mean to be disrespectful. colonel.
and I'm willing to meet you as far as
can. but you see now just how things
are between STAIN Tucker and me-"
I'm not saying another word an
swered Colonel Todhunter. The only
/
60 Iookin' for STAN Tucker tonight. In
the first place. he's right here. and
you amt got no business runnin the
chance Of provokin' serious personal
difficulty where there's women. and In
the second place. you'd better get
nights sleep for your own good. Tom.
I'm talkin' plain to you. my boy, be-
cause good deal depends on it, The
chances are million 10 one that therell
be some shootin before you'n STAN
Tucker get through with your argu-
ment. and cool head and a steady
hand are mighty useful things to have
at such time.
I'm cool enough, SIR" replied Tom
Strickland.
But the colonel shook his head.
Tom" he said. Il want you to PROM
Use me to go quietly home right now
and go to bed After tonight the games
In your own hands. and you can play
1t any way you see fit. This is all I'm
goin' to ask of you Go home and get
a good nights rest. Tom" There was
just the least shake in the speakers
voice.
Tom Strickland hesitated.
Go home. Tom" said Colonel Tod
hunter II wouldn't be true friend
of your father If | let you take any
foolish chances in an affair OF this
kind. And I'm thinkin' of Mary. too.
when I say this You go home now"
The coloners grim lips were trembling
a little.
Tom Strickland nodded. "All right.
colonel" he spoke finally. III go
home. ] won't try to do anything fur
Their until tomorrow, sir"
That's all ask. Tom" replied the
colonel.
But he saw TO 1t that the younger
man got away from the perilous scene
without being subjected to temptation
that might compel him to break his
word. And then. knowing that Tom
Strickland was safely on the road
home. Colonel Todhunter looked up
Sim Birdsong without losing mo
ment's time.
"Sim." he said. II want you to see
STAN Tucker tonight without fail and
tell him not to come into town to-
morrow. Just say this to him-that
Tom Strickland's lookin' for him on
account o. this here Lottie-May Dog
gett business and there's a-goin' TO be
trouble If they meet. and then you
come back here and tell me what he
says. I'm tryin' to prevent shootin'
scrape. Sim. and this is the only way
can see to do 1t"
.All right. colonel" replied Sim.
I'll look up STAN Tucker right away
and deliver your message. then I'll re-
port to you again. sub"
Ill Just be eternally condemned"
communed Colonel Todhunter to him
self when Sim had departed on his
mission. IF any other man meddled In
a serious private difficulty of mine like
I'm meddlin' In this of Tom Strick-
lands I'd tell him in pretty plain Ian
guage what thought of his interior
ence. even II was engaged to his
daughter But ! amt got no choice In
the matter want to save Tom and
keep Mary's heart from bein' broken.
and | want to save old Bill Str1ck-
land from such a tragedy as this
would he. and I've got TO take the
bull by the horns to do it. I'll keep
those two young fools apart If I've got
to break my neck a-doin' it,
SIM Birdsong was not gone long
We'll. colonel" he said upon return
ing. I've Just seen STAN Tucker and
told him what you said. and he told
the to say to you that he wouldn't
come in town at all tomorrow. Says
he don't want TO have any trouble
with Tom Strickland now If he can
help 1t. because il would he serious
trouble. and he amt in the humor for
it just at present"
"Sim." asked the colonel. what did
STAN do or say when Won told him
that it was on account of Lottie-May
that Tom was loollin' for him?''
Colonel Todhunter." replied Sim.
''he got white clean to his lips never
saw mans face go white as quick
MS his'n. But he didn't make no COM
ment on that part Of the message. sub.