Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-07-08

she cried brokenly. "And STAN Tuck.
er didn't really care nothin' for me
neither. They was both of 'em think.
in about Miss Mary Todhunter. amt
nothin' but poor white trash in their
eyes. to be th'owed like a rag to one
side. And Tom Strickland knows !
love him with all my heart and all
my soul! Here her voice broke pitt.
fully.
Then, And he wouldn't ha' known
anything about STAN fuckers maxim
love to me If hadn't told him myself
Yet he don't think nothin' about me
It's only how he can clear his own
skirts by loadin' the blame on STAN.
And II he killed him he killed him for
your daughter Mary's sake, out O. jeal-
ousy, and nothin' else In the wide
world! Well. I've done said my say.
and you all got to take 1t for the truth
whether you're willin' or not STAN
fuckers dead and gone, but that ain't
a-goin' to clear the way for Tom Strick-
land to marry Miss Mary Todhunter.
I've told her mother the truth. and you
and Mrs Todhunter can't let her marry
Tom Strickland with the blame for my
ruination restin' on his good name"
She threw back her head and laugh
ed at him mockingly.
you've come here to make me help
you to get Tom Strickland out O. dan
ger. amt you. Colonel Todhunter2
You're Just like all the rest Of 'em. I'm
settled and done for. I'm dirt under
you alls feet. But nla! Ue can help
save Tom Strickland II | tell the right
sort Of a story-that'S 1t. aint III
Well, I amt goin' to do 1t. Colonel Tod
hunterr'
"Tom Strickland's got just one chance
for his life. Lottie-May," said Colonei
Todhunter, land that Is, to prove that
you accused him Of u sin that ought to
ha' been laid at STAN fuckers door In
stead and that he quarreled with STAN
md killed him for refusin' to acknowl-
edge publicly that this was the ruth.
Even this ain't much Of chance. but
if We don't get 1t Tom Stricklands go
in to the gallows just as certain rs the
sun rises and sets. II you told what
ain't 50. Lottie-May. his blood will be
on your head"
The girl shrank back und shivered
MS IL she had been struck. Then. again.
The hard mocking light leaped into her
eyes. and she laughed aloud.
"AnL If | change my story to please
YOU all. she scOffed. what does 1t
amount to. Colonel Todhunter? Just
two things. and I'll tell you what they
are. help to get Tom Strickland out
o. danger for KILN Stam Tucker. and
/ 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 80 lift my shame off'n Tom
Strickland and put 1t on u dead man
instead-put 1t on STAN Tucker. that
was shot and killed by Tom Strickland
because both Of 'em loved Miss Mary
TOdhunter!'
I'm askin' you to tell the truth.
Lottie-M -Mayw said Colonel Todhunter:
that's all I'm askiu' you to tell me
now what you will surely have to tell
under oath In the Nineveh courtroom
at Tom Strickland's trial unless you
mean to perjure your soul 6y kissin
the Bible and then swearln to lie
That's where you are. my girl! II you
told the truth In what you said to Mrs.
Todhunter about Tom Strickland l
amt got another word to say. But.
IL 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 80 suddenly ac-
qualnted her with the fact that she
must needs he 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.
IT told Mrs. Todhunter the truth"
she replied. "What told her I'm
tell in court. IL got to. might be
willin' to tell might be willin' to
tell lie for Tom Strickland's sake II
It want for Miss Mary Todhunter.
but can't do 1t for her. and won't!
1t 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 ns we'll know
It once and for all. got the same
shame Oh me now that my mother had.
and I'm her daughter. body and soul"
Colonel Todhunter looked at Lotte-
May Doggett long and silently. His
face was grave when he spoke.
"That's all wanted to see you
about, Lottie-May." he said finally.
"It looks like been on fools er.
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. a little sob broke
from the girls throat as the colonel
spoke. The next moment. with one
hand 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 pegyasa whom N had