Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-05-17
Colonel
TODHUNTER
of Missouri
By RIPLEY D. SAUNDERS
Copyright 1911. BY the BObbs-MerTH
COMPANY
CHAPTER .LIlI.
Copyright 1911. BY the BOtbs-MerH
Company
Capture and Trial.


mustache and an old fashioned impe-
rial His seat in the saddle was that
OF 2 seasoned cavalryman. The other
was small. wiry. with a smooth shaven.
hardset face. a mouth Ike q steel trap.
cold hazel eyes that kept themselves
fixed on the road ahead
I'VE oughtn't TO be very fur behind
EN- now. Jim spoke the first man.
"Th' amt no way they could ha' dodG-
ed from the main road. is there?'
NO. colonel. they amt" returned
the other. Not TIL they come TO the
old dirt road that leads 10 the cabin
told you about That's where they're
headin' for. Colonel Todhunter. and it's
where we're goin' TO run upon 'em
Well be there pretty soon too"
Colonel Todhunter's face was grim.
II hate to think Of LottieMay Dog
gett!' he spoke. It's mighty bad.
mighty bad. sub feel that sorry for
poor old Rafe Doggett. Lord, Lord. the
shame OF It all is a-goin' TO kill that
good old man.
The wiry little man TO whom he
spoke snapped his jaws together in an
CRY scorn.
That can't be helped now. colonel"
he made answer. II got 10 do my duty.
woman or no women
II amt askin' you TO do anything
less'n your duty. Jim replied Colonel
Todhunter. And I'm Just as RESPONSE
bic as you are. But Tm sorry. and I'm
afraid too. II there's any serious trOu.
hi \ 10 ~
seem that the girl don't get hurt"
''She won't II she behaves herself"
said the other. But she's got 10 do
that. for there amt goin TO be no time
for foolishness You've got 20 for
get the girl part OF this business IL you
want TO come out on top. Colonel Tod
hunter"
Colonel Todhunter sighed. "I reckon
that's straight. jim" he agreed.
The two rode on abreast without fur.
tier words until they reached the cross
road
Here we are cOlon&" spoke the lit.
lie man. his voice low. ITS a safe bet
they're lsyin' up till dark in that old
shanty."
The two riders checked their horses
10 a walk.
suddenly a woman's shrek broke the
stiffness For Gods sake Jesse the
cry sounded. you amt gon' to Kill
me like n dog. are your
instantly, hearing the cry. Colonel
Todhunter pressed his horse to n full
gallop. His companion did the same
They threw themselves from the sad
die in front OF the cabin. Colonel Tod.
hunter hurled his weight against the
door. II yielded, and he plunged in
side.
A girl knelt in the center OF the dark
little hut. Her hands were uplifted in
entreaty. over her stood a man with a
knife raised TO strike. His face was
black with rage
Colonel Todhunter covered him with
a swiftly drawn pistol Hands up,
Chlckasaw! Wen tend TO Lottie- May
ourselves-and to you. This is the sher.
IN o. Rails county got with me-"
The man turned. He looked into the
muZzles OF two revolvers. the sherf
being we'll nigh as quick 10 draw us
Colonel Todhunter. Their menace die
not invite resistance. The man say
this truth instantly. Colonel Todhunt-
ers steady eyes held his. The colonel
spoke to the girl without looking at her.
Cit of there 10 one side, Lottie-
May" be said. Quick
The girl sprang from under the knife.
Thank God, you come. Colonel Tod
hunter:" she cried. Thank God-oh,
thank God"
And at the girls cry the man laughed
aloud. he threw his knife 10 the floor.
Then, empty handed, he stood cont front
ing his captors-
The tr1ai Of Tom Strickland had been
relentlessly hurried 10 the day OF its
closing by political prosecution work
ing through a complaisant judge servile
20 machine influence.
From that early moment of the selec-
lion Of jury the truth OF a merciless
haste was IN evidence. It was explain.
ed by the court that there was tmpera-
tive need for as little delay as might
be possible. the docket being crowded
and many cases remaining 10 be dis
posed OF during the present term. The
grim fact was that Colonel Strickland's
enemies felt sure Of a conviction and
were determined that the verdict
should be rendered in time 20 remove
whatever peril Of his nomination might
still remain.
The evidence scored heavily against
Tom from the start
There was plainly sounded a note OF
somewhat insoleut confidence. almost
like juhilation. In the swift announce
ment Of the states readiness for trial
Colonel Bill strickland. gray and pinch
ed Of face. recognized its instant men
ace. His closely shut lips broke theiI
rigid lines piteousiy. precisely as they
had done when Tom was brought intC
court aud took his seat confronting the
Jury
At 49,, saline moment a swift fash OF
anticiDatad triumph leaned into tht