Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1913-04-25

piled. but ] don't Keel IKE SoirS
home right away"
You've got to go, Tom" replied the
colonel
well. now sir" suggested the 9th
spite of your being - positive about
It. I've got a special reason for stay
ing. colonel"
Yes. ! know. Tom. You're wa!tin'
20 have personal difficulty with
STAN Tucker suh."
Tom Strickland laughed. you've
called the turn sir and under the cir
cumstanc"S youll have to agree your
self that i can't 20 uow-not for a few
minutes anyway"
81 don't agree to no such thing. you
blamed young fool" calculated Colo
mel TOdhunter. do you reckon I'm
a-Coin' TO !et you and STAN Tucker
shoot each other full O holes or let
YOU wait. Cnarmed, for him to get
crack at you lust because you've seen
fit to come into town and begin drink
in, suh?'
Were both free white and twenty
one. colonel said Tom Strickland.
How are you goin' to prevent it:'
At this Colonel Todhunter lost his
temper. I'm prevent it by thrashin'
you within an inch Of your life, sub,
If you don't turn right around and get
out o. tlfs here barroom, that's how
he announced resolutely. IL amt
a-goin' to stand no foolishness. Tom
THAT amt fair, Colonel Todhunter."
protested Tom Strickland. You're
Miss Mary's father. and you're my ia
Tiers oldest and best friend. sir.
wouldn't lift my hand against you for
the world-but I've got to wait here
till STAN Tucker gets back!
tom" said Colonel Todhunter.
you've either got to 90 home right
now, sub. or thrash me. or take the
best thrashin' from me you ever got in
! all your life, subj
Tom Strickland looked into Colonel
Todhunter's eyes. They shone with
| the light of righteous battle. 1t was
| preposterous situation. The humor
Of it suddenly struck the younger man.
and he laughed outright. Then, sud
denly. looking beyond Colonel Todhun.
ter. his own eyes hardened into dan.
| gerous anger.
Its too late. colonel" he exclaimed
exultantly. Here comes the very man
we're talking about"
| AS he spoke Stamford Tucker enter
| od thu hov odvanci,,U diposflv RI
ward him.
81 reckon you still insist on person
al difficulty with me. Tom Strickland"
he asked. You amt changed your
mind none since the last few minutes?'
II don't change my mind that easy"
replied Tom Strickland. smiling. KS
pecially when little upstart like you
gets to talking too freely about my
father. You've got to stop it or else
make up your mind to take the con.
sequences"
1T amt what I've said about your
father that's rubbing you the wrong
way" retorted STAN Tucker. Its be-
cause you've found out that I'm stand.
in too good chance with Miss Mary
Todhunter to suit you
Tom Strickland sprang at the speak.
er. As he did SO STAN whipped out a
pistol. 1t was quickly done. but not
quick enough to give an opportunity
! to fire before the other struck. Toms
fist smashed into his face and felled
him to the floor. The pistol Jew ten
feet away.
There was moments silence.
Get up" said Tom. "and come at
me like man. I'll thrash you within
an inch Of your lifey'
STAN Tucker staggered to his feet,
wiping the blood from his face. But
he made no move toward the man who
had struck him.
Tom Strickland stepped coolly to
where the pistol lay. picked it up de-
liberately and put it into his own
pocket.
"I'll get even with you for this.
Strickland! cried young Tucker. I'll
even up things before I'm done with
you"
you'll never have q better time
than right now" replied Tom. but ii
| you amt in the huinor I'll leave your
pistol with the bartender here In q lit.
tie while and you can get 1t later But
give you fair warning, STAN Tucker.