Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-05-21
Colonel
TODHUNTER
of Missouri
By RIPLEY D. SAUNDERS
Copyright. 1911. BY the BObbs.MsrrH
Company
CHAPTER XIV.
Colonel Todhuntsr confrOnts Defeat.

u NAsNp II tuli al tue tANlltu JA-
bilatiOn that followed Tom
Strickland's acquittal. and hav-
ing first congratulated Tom
himself. Mrs Todhunter turned TO
Colonel Strickland. who stood with her
husband a few feet away. Colonel Tod
hunter having by this time Joined the
group.
Il feel sure you know how rejoiced
am that Tom has been acquitted" she
said. her frank eyes testifyiug TO the
truth. Il have always loved him as IL
he was my own son. But had TO do
what did after that dreadful night of
the party at the hotel. The accusation
made against him by that girl. Lottie-
May DOggett, left me no alternative
but 10 forbid him seeing Mary unless
he could clear himself OF the sin with
which the girl herself charged him"
II know just how you felt. Mrs. Tod
hunter" replied Colonel Strickland. 1t
was n terrible situation. Naturally. II
hurt us al! that Tom was made TO ap-
pear guilty. but there was the cold fact
that Lottie May DoCGett publicly de-
clared him guilty. and It seemed in
credible that she would do this if he
you are sincerely glad because the
truth has come out You don't have to
tell me anything about it. ma'am."
At this moment Mary herself. a great
happiness shining in her face, although
her eyes were wet with tears. Joined
the group. Colonel Strickland turned to
her with n smile.
II delivered that message Of yours to
Tom, Miss Mary" he said The mes
sage you gave me when he was in the
Jail. just wish you could have seen
how proud and happy It made him! He
needed II mighty bad that day"
Mary blushed rose red. please don't
remind Tom OF my message. Colonel
Stricklandr' she cried in n pretty con-
fusion. III be ashamed to look him in
the face again II you do"
II don't see why you should be-"
laughed Colonel Strickland 1T Just
simply proved TO Tom at a mighty vel
come time that the young lady he loved
so dearly loved him In return. so you
ought to be proud Of it instead OF
ashamed"
And at this juncture Colonel Tod
hunter interviewed. Don't You let tina
Mary Todhunter fool you. Bill Strick
land" he chuckled. shes as proud o
that there love sick message TO he
sweetheart at such romantic momen
as IL II was all IN a sentimental stor,
ard she was the heroine OF the story
And when she and Tom have gone ant
got married-wcll. between you ant
me and the gatcpost I'll bet poor Ton
never hears the last OF it."
Mary blushed furiously as the other
laughed
when she and Tom are married
repeated Colonel Strickland. his eye
resting fondly on Mary's face. "Doesn
that sound good. thought"
Then he turned pointbank to Mr.!
Todhuntcr when shall IL be. Mr.
Todhunter?" he asked. You and Mis-
Mary have got 10 be good now an
name an early day. When shall 1t be:
But at this alarming question Mar
herself gave little cry Of maidenl
protest. frautically clutChed her mott
er's arm and fairly dragged Mrs. To,
hunter out of range. yet not with entiI
success, for the latter turned lauGl
Ing fAce back 10 Colonel Strickland q
she was thus conveyed away.
Never you mind. Colonel StricI
land" she made fleeing answer. ~
going TO work hard for Tom. ougl
20 do IL. and l will"
That same evening Colonel Todhu
ter went TO confer with the Hon. WI
liam J. Strickland NJ his home concer
ing the latter's campaign prospect
The outlook was not encouragin
Bill" said Colonel Todhuntp