Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1913-06-27

ing first congratulated Tom
himself. Mrs. Todhunter turned 10
Colonel Strickland, who stood with her
husband few feet away. Colonel Tod
hunter having by this time joined the
group.
Il feel sure you know how rejoiced J
am that Tom has been acquitted" she
said. her frank eyes testifying to the
truth. 81 have always loved him as if
he was my own son. But l 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 TO forbid him seeing Mary unless
he could clear himself Of the sin with
which the girl herself charged him"
81 know just how you felt. Mrs Tod
hunter" replied Colonel Strickland. 1T
was a terrible situation. Naturally. it
hurt us all that Tom was made to 9p-
pear guilty, but there was the cold fhct
that I.ottie- May Doggett publicly de.
clared him guilty. and 1t seemed in
credible that she would do this If he
was innocent And | know now that
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. n great
happiness shining In her face. although
her eyes were wet with tears. Joined
the group. Colonel Strickland turned to
her with smile.
II delivered that message Of yours to
Tom. Miss Mary" he said. 1.-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 1t mighty bad that day"
Mary blushed rose red. "Please don't
remind Tom Of my message. Colonel
Stricklandr' she cried in a pretty con,
fusion. "I'll be ashamed to look him in
the face again II you do"
II DOM, see why you should be-"
laughed Colonel Strickland. ut just
simply proved to Tom at mighty wei.
come time that the young lady be loved
% 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 yon let that
Mary Todhunter fool you. Bill Strick
land" he chuckled. "She's as proud OF
that there love sick message to her
sweetheart mt such romantic moment
as IL 1t was all In sentimental story
and she was the heroine of the story
And when she and Tom have gone and
got married well. between you ano
me and the gatepost I'll bet poor Tom
never hears the last OF It,"
Mary blushed furiously as the Others
laughed.
when she and Tom are married.
repeated Colonel Strickland. his eyes
resting fondly on Mary's face. Doesn't
that sound good. thought"
Then he turned p0intblank to Mrs
Todhunter. when shall 1t be. Mrs
Todhunter?" he asked .You and Miss
Mary have got to be good now and
name an early day. When shall 1t be-?
But at this alarming question Mary
herself gave a little cry Of maidenly
protest. frantically clutched her moth
er's arm and fairly dragged Mrs. Tod
hunter out of range. yet not with entire
success. for the latter turned laugh.
ing face back to Colonel Strickland us
she was thus conveyed away.
"Never you mind. Colonel Strick
land" she made fleeing answer. I'm
going to work hard for Tom. ought
to do 1t. and will"
That same evening Colonel Todhun
ter went to confer with the Hon. VII
liam j. Strickland ut his home concern.
ing the latter's campaign prospects
The outlook was not encouraging.
BILL" said Colonel Todhunter.
'there's just one chance for u.s. Toms
acquittal may bring about a reaction OF
public sentiment in your favor If two
days Is time enough for the news &c
sink In and create the natural effect
They'll all know Of 1t. The st. Louis
and Kansas City papers are full of the
excitin' story of his sudden acquittal
and every other newspaper in the state
will have II lot about it, That's where
1t may prove boomerang for the Yam
NCN gang. uct NOTkeU up PUBIC In.
terest in the case. thinkin' it would
ruin you body and soul"
Colonel Strickland shook his head.
Its too late, Thurs he replied. II
reckon III have to stay beat But
amt worrying about that. want to
hear now that my campaign fund has
been raised. so us to put you out of
danger Of any loss"
The light OF battle was in Colonel
Todhunters eyes.
I'm thinkin' about your gettin' that
there nomination. Bill Strickland" he
exclaimed. Not about the money.
Now that We got em beat in Tom $
case. Id like to whip 'em straight do;gn
the line. sub"
The other laughed. but shook his
mead. They've got too big y bulge on
Us. Everything's fixed now TO steal tho