The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-10

OoiAoo0A, anu uo . JUST LeellI TcckleSS
enough to give STAN every chance in
the world for shootin' him after he
himself picked the fuss and forced the
personal difficulty, colonel"
"You come along with me. Sim," said
the colonel. "Why the blazes and Sam
Hill didn't you tell me all this at the
start, suhY'
Swiftly they crossed the town
square and entered the barroom Of the
Nineveh hotel. Tom Strickland, alone
now but for the bartender. stood with
one elbow resting on the bar.
"Howdy. colonel"' he cried You
and Sim are just In time to Join me in
drink, sir Whatll you have?"
"Tom." replied the colonel, "ordinari-
~ I'd be glad to accept your invita-
ton. but not today. my boy. want
you to 90 home, Tom"
Young Strickland smiled. Pm sor-
ry to disoblige you. colonel" he re.
piled. "but don't feel like going
home right away"
you've got to go. Tom" replied the
colonel.
swell, now. sir" suggested the 9th
err. that's fairly open to argument in
spite Of your being 80 positive about
it. I've got special reason for stay
ing, colonel"
'Yes. know, Tom. You're waitin'
to have a personal difficulty with
STAN Tucker, subj"
Tom Strickland laughed. you've
called the turn. sir, and under the cir
cumstances you'll have to agree your
self that can't go now-not for a few
minutes anyway"
81 don't agree to no such thing. you
blamed young fool" calculated Colo.
mel Todhunter. do you reckon I'm
agoin' to let you and STAN Tucker
shoot each other full O. holes or let
you wait, unarmed. for him to get
crack at you just because you've seen
fit to come into town and begin drink
in. suh?"
Were both free white and twenty
one, colonel" said Tom Strickland.
How are you gOin to prevent it,
At this Colonel Todhunter lost his
temper. 'Ill prevent it by thrashin'
you within an inch Of your life. sub.
ii you don't turn right around and get
out O. this here barroom that's how"
he announced resolutely Il amt
a-goin' to stand no foolishness. Tom"
That amt fair. Colonel Todhunter."
protested Tom Strickland. You're
Miss Mary's father. and you're my ia
TIERS oldest and best friend. sir
wouldn't lift my hand against you for
the world-but I've got to wait here
till STAN Tucker gets back
Tom" said Colonel Todhunter.
you've either got to go home right
now, sub, or thrash me. or take the
best thrashin' from me you ever got in
all your life. subj"
Tom Strickland looked into Colonel
Todhunter's eyes. They shone with
the light of righteous battle 1t was
n preposterous situation. The humor
Of it suddenly struck the younger man,
and he laughed outright Then. sud-
denly, looking beyond Colonel Todhun-
ter, his own eyes hardened into a dan
gerous anger.
ITS too late, colonel" he exclaimed
exutantly. Here comes the very man
we're talking about!'
AS he spoke Stamford Tucker enter
ed the barroom. advancing directly to-
ward him.
81 reckon you still insist on person
al difficulty with me, Tom Strickland?"
he asked. You amt changed your
mind none since the last few minutes?"
81 don't change my mind that easy"
replied Tom Strickland. smiling. ''Es-
pecially when a little upstart like you
gets to talking too freely about my
father. You've got to stop it or else
make up your mind to take the con-
sequences"
ut amt what I've said about your
father that's rubbing you the wrong
way" retorted STAIN Tucker. Its be-
cause you've found out that I'm stand
in too good chance with Miss Mary
Todhunter to suit you
Tom Strickland sprang at the speak
err. AS he did so STAN whipped out a
plSIOl. ~ was UOlc.
quick enough tc give ar opportunity
to fire before the other struck. Toms
fist smashed into his face and feled
him to the floor The pistol flew ten
feet away
There was moments silence.
Get up" said Tom. "and come at
NE like man. I'll thrash you within
an inch Of your lifer
STAN Tucker staggered to his feet,
wiping the blood from his face. But
he made no move toward the man who
had struck him.
Tom Strickland stepped coolly to
where the pistol lay. picked it up de-
liberately and put it into his own
pocket
ri get even with you for this,
Strickland!" cried young Tucker. I'm
even up things before I'm done with
you
You'll never have better time
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