Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-04-09

The colonel nodded, studyins the
speaker closely - thsy moved away.
"What ID It, Toni b asked. "What
can do for your
Tom Strickland laughed bitterly.
'.Noehing." hs replied. But must tel!
you the only thing can do for myself.
I've got to ses Stamford Tucker and
choke tho truth out Of hint"
what do you mean"
II mean that he's got to tell the truth
and facs this scandal in my place. He
ID the one that's responsible. not I.
God only knows what possessed Lottie-
May Doggett to lay her disgrace ut my
doorl''
Colonel Todhunter drew quick slgh
of relief. III that's the truth. Tom.
you're all right, and must say I'm
glad to hear It, because the case looks
mighty ugly for you otherwise. III
have to speak plainly, Tom. a. Mary's
father. II you've got the proofs thatll
call STAN Tucker to time produce 'om
right now"
The younger man looked the speaker
In the face, q white hot anger In bis
eyes. Then suddenly doubt and some
thing Of dismay took the place Of rage.
At last he laughed mockingly, AZ II at
himself.
II haven't got shred Of proof" he
said, unless my own conviction, from
what Lottie-May herself has told me,
can give hold on STAN Tucker thatll
make him toe the mark. I've got the
girls word that STAN Tucker made
love to her and that she met him in
secret"
"And Lottie-May has just publicly
accused you," commented Colonel Tod
hunter. a curious expression In his eyes
as they rested upon Tom Strickland's
pale face. THAT'S mighty poor EVIL
dence, Tom. The girl has made It
worthless In advance. Nobody on earth
would believe you"
Tom Strickland lifted one clinched
hand and smote 1t savagely into the
open palm of the other.
Nobody but STAN Tucker" he cried.
"He'll know it's the truth and he'll
know that Lottie-Mny told me because
she was trying to make me his rival.
And he's got to confess that It's the
truth-by God, I'll kill him II he don't"
"stop right there. Tom" exclaimed
Colonel Todhunter sternly. you're
maxim the biggest fool Of yourself
that's possible on all this earth to a
man in your fix. suh!'
Fool or no fool" cried Tom strick-
land. "I'm not going to let this thing
lay at my door when know the guilty
man. and know, besides. he wouldn't
ask nothing better'n for Miss Mary
rs tnrUw me over on account OF lhis SO
that he could marry her. That's the
situation. Colonel Todhunter, and no
man 1T to be called a man would let
STAN Tucker go freer'
III you go lookin' for STAN Tucker
now, Tom." said Colonel Todhunter
quietly, 'there'n be shootin' scrape
in less'n two minutes after you two
come together and somebody's mighty
apt to get killed. II it's you. the difa-
Guilty amt helped you any that I can
see. If it's STAN Tucker, then you're
worse oft'n ever, because he'll be dead
and you'll be held for KILN him and
Lottie-May Doggett's accusation will
stand against you. Have some sense.
my boy. before it's too late"
Tom Strickland laughed at the words.
'I'll have sense enough" he retorted.
"I'll see that STAN Tucker don't profit
by this thing. And there's only one
way to see to it-and that's by having
It out with STAN Tucker himself and
making him tell the truth. You can't
interfere in this matter, sir, even
though you are Miss Mary's father.
No third party can take a hand In IL,
SIR"
Colonel Todhunter contemplated the
speaker earnestly for moment Then
he nodded
you're right, Tom," he conceded. Il
reckon you'n STAN Tucker'l have to
sift this out between you, and tn
mint nobody else can lift q finger. But
I've just got one favor to ask Of you
before you 60 any further, my boy"
whats that, STRIP asked Tom. II
don't mean to be disrespectful, colonel,
and I'm willing to meet you as far as
can, but you see now just how things
are between STAN Tucker and me-"
I'm not saying another word" an.
swered Colonel Todhunter. "The only
thing I want you to do, Tom. is not to
70 lookin' for STAN Tucker tonight. In
the first place, he's right here. and
you amt got no business runnin' the
chance of provokin' serious personal
difficulty where there's women, and In
the second place. you'd better get q
nights sleep for your own good. Tom.
I'm talkin' plain to you. my boy. be-
cause a good deal depends on 1t. The
chances arc q million to one that there'll
be some shootin' before you'n STAN
Tucker get through with your argu-
ment, and cool head and a steady
hand are mighty useful things to have
at such a time"
I'm cool enough, SIR" replied Tom
Strickland.
But the colonel shook his head.
"Tom," he said. II want you to prom
Use me to 60 quietly home right now
and go Ito bed. After tonight the games
In your own hands, and you can play
it any way you see At. This is all I'm
goin' to ask Of you. Go home and get
a good nights rest. Tom" There was
inst tho least shake in the sneakers