Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-04-19
Copyright. 1911. by the Bobbs-Mer-
rill Company.
observation-disclosures
CHAPTER XIV.

Strickland's acquittal, and hav-
ing FIRST congratulated Tom
himself, Mrs. Todhunter turned to
husband 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 testifying to the
truth. II have always loved him as II
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 to forbid him seeing Mary unless
Ae 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. ut
was terrible situa ton. Naturally. 1t
hurt US all that Tom was made to APP
pear guilty. but there was the cold fact
that Lottie-May Doggett publicly de-
clared him guilty, and 1t seemed in
credible that she would do this il he
was innocent. And 1 know now that
you are sincerely glad because the
truth has come out You don't have to
tell me anything about it. maam.'
At this moment Mary herself. great
happiness shining In her face, although
her eyes We're wet with tears. joined
the group Colonel Strickland turned to
her with smile.
Il delivered that message Of yours to
Tom, Miss Mary" he said. The mes
sage you gave me when he was in the
jail. I just wish you could have seen
how proud and happy it made him! he
needed it mighty bad that day"
Mary blushed rose red. please don't
remind Tom of my message, Colonel
Strickland" she cried in a pretty con-
fusion. "I'll be ashamed to look him in
the face again If you do.'
II don't see why you should be"
| laughed Colonel Strickland. at just
simply proved to Tom at 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 that
Mary Todhunter fool you, Bill Strick-
land" he chuckled. "She's as proud Of
| that there lore sick message to her
! sweetheart at such Il romantic moment
J as il 1t was all in q sentimental ste "
and she was the heroine of the story.
And when she and Tom have gone and
got married-weil, between you and
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 pointblank to Mrs.
! Todhunter When shall 1t be, Mrs.
! Todhunter:" he asked. You and Miss
I Mary have got to be good now and
name an early day. When shall it be?'
But at this alarming question Mary
| herself gave little cry OF maiden!y
! 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 as
she was thus conveyed away.
Never you mind. Colonel Strick.
land" she made fleeing answer I'm
| going to work hard for Tom. I ought
to do it, and WILL
| That same evening Colonel Todhun-
| 70. 70 with he
liam ]. Strickland at his home concern
ing the latter's campaign prospects.
The outlook was not encouraging.
BILL" said Colonel Todhunter.
there's just one chance for us. TOMS
acQuittal may bring about reaction OF
public sentiment In your favor if two
days is time enough for the news to
sink in and create the natural effect
They'll all know Of it. 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 lot about it. That's where
it may prove boomerang for the Yam
cey gang. They worked up public in
tereSt in the case, thinkin' it would
ruin you body and SOUL
Colonel Strickland shook his head.
"It's too late, Thurs" he replied II
reckon I'll have to stay beat. But l
amt worrying about that. I want to
hear now that my campaign fund has
been raised. so as to put you out of
danger Of any loss"
The light Of battle was in Colonel
Todhunter's eyes.
"rm thinkin' about your gettin' that
there nomination, Bill Strickland.' he
exclaimed. "Not about the money.
Now that we got 'em beat in Toms
case, I'd like to whip em straight down
the line. sub"
The other laughed, but shook his
head. They've got too big a bulge on
US. Everything's fixed now to steal the
st. Louis and Kansas City vote for old
Steve Yancey, and that'll settle it. The
judges and clerks Of election are all
Yancey crooks, appointed before Bob
Peyton. the Yancey chairman Of the
board Of election commissioners in St.
Louis. took sick and died and Randolph
Carter was named. to fill the vacancy,
and the st Lsuis and Kansas City vote