Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-04-11

Tor his life. Lotue- May. said Colonel
Todhunter, .'and that IL. to prove that
you accused him OF q Sin that ought to
ha' been laid at STAN fuckers door in
stead and that he Quarreled with STAN
and killed him for refusin' to acknowl-
edge publicly that this was the truth.
Even this amt much of a chance, but
II we don't get it Tom Strickland's 60
in to the gallows just as certain az the
sun rises and sets. II you told what
amt 80, Lottie-May. his blood win be
on your head"
The girl shrank back and shivered
as II she had been struck. Then, again,
the hard hooking light leaped into her
eyes, and she laughed aloud.
And If change my story to please
you ALL" she scoffed. what does it
amount to. Colonel ~Todhunter? Just
two things, and I'll tell you what they
are. I help to get Tom Stricklan nd out
. danger for KILN STAN Tucker, and
l clear his good name so he can go
straight and marry your daughter
Mary. That's what do-if I'm willin'
to tell the story you all want me to
tell. and so lift my shame off'n Tom
Strickland and put it on dead man
instead-put it on STAN Tucker. that
was shot and killed by Tom Strickland
because both, of 'em loved Miss Mary
Todhunter!''
"Im askin' you to tell the truth.
Lottie-May!" said Colonel Todhunter;
that's all. I'm asllin' you to tell me
now what you will surely have to tell
under oath in the Nineveh courtroom
at Tom Striczland's trial unless you
mean to perjure your soul by kissin'
the Bible and then swearin' to lie.
That's where you are. my girl! If you
told the truth in what you said to Mrs.
Todhunter about Tom Strickland
amt got another word to say. But.
If you didn't, for Gods sake tell it now.
Lottie-May. and help me and TOMS
father to save his life"
Again the girls face had whitened
as Colonel Todhunter SO suddenly ac-
quainted her with the fact that she
must needs be a witness for or against
Tom Strickland when he was placed
on trial for his life. And again. sue
ceeding this. her eyes hardened with
the deadly rancor born of her secret
thoughts.
II told Mrs. Todhunter the TRUTH"
she replied. What told her I'm
tell in court. il got to. I might be
willin' to tell might be willin' to
tell lie for Tom Strickland's sake il
it want for Miss Mary Todhunter.
but can't do 1t for her. and l won't!
It amt IN my blood to let another wo-
man walk on me to get to the man
love, Colonel Todhunter. and you and
all the rest of 'em might as we'll know
it once and for all! got the same
shame on me now that my mother had.
and I'm her daughter. body and soul"
Colonel Todhunter looked at Lottie-
May Doggett long and silently. bis
face was grave when he spoke.
That's all wanted to see you
about, Lottie-May." he said finally.
"It looks like been on a FOOLS err
rand, but I've done the best could.
Goodby, child. and you better think
over what I've been sayin' to you after
I'm gone"
Oddly enough, little sob broke
from the girls throat as the colonel
spoke. The next moment. with one
hind futtering nervously at her bos-
ON, she closed the door behind him.
Crossing the country road few
rods from the gate leading into the
Doggetts' yard. Colonel Todhunter
stopped to speak to Aunt Mirandy.
Ransom the old negress whom he had
last met in the Nineveh town square
and who now stood at the door Of her
little cabin. After talking with her
some brief time he resumed his way
into town.
He met the Hon. William j. Strick-
land at the entrance to the Nineveh
Jail. The fathers face was gray with
anxiety. Colonel Todhunter held his
hand with grip Of comforting friend.
Illness.
'sThe boys in hell's own hole. Bill"
he said. But you and me II pull him
out Of it If we've got to bust the
breechin' dom it, subj