Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-04-14
Colonel
TODHUNTER
Of Missouri
By RIPLEY D. SAUNDERS
Copyright, 1sl1. BY tho Bobbs-1(sr-
rill Company.

riu Company.
There was something deeply pathetic
In this eager clutching at the one re-
naming strand Of hope. The two old
friends were now making their way
toward the jail to see Tom. Suddenly
they came face to face with Mn. Tod
hunter and Mary.
The girl advanced directly toward
them with outstEutched hand. her moth
er following.
''Howdy. Colonel stricklandr' she
said, her voice trembling little. You
are on your way to visit Tom, aren't
your
'Yea. Misc Mary" replied Toms fl.
ther quietly. The trial begins eomoF-
row, and I only left him to meet Colo
mel Todhunter. and he's returning with
me-"
Colonel Strickland" said Mary reso-
lutsly, though her voice shook more
than ever. II want you to carry mes
sage to Tom from me.''
There was 4 curious little pause.
on her daughters arm, but the girl
moved away from the touch, not harsh
~, yet as If she felt it to be protest
II want you to give Tom my love.
Colonel Strickland" she said. "And
want you to tell him, from me-. that I
don't believe one word Of these awful
charges against him-not one word
either about Siam Tucker or about
that-that grip
And as she spoke Mary Todhunter
burst out crying. She dabbed piteous-
" at her face with her handkerchief.
unable to control her emotions. Then,
sobbing, she turned away with her
mother. no other word being spoken.
"God bless that girl Of yours. Thurs"
spoke Colonel Strickland, his own voice
unsteady. "She's good grit clear
ti1rough-and, somehow, she gives me
more courage than I've had for many
a day. They haven't got Tom yet
and they'll have the fight Of their lives
before they do get himr'
That's the talkw cried Colonel Tod
hunter. "Face 'em that way, Bill, and
we'll mako 'em strain their souls for
every inch they try to gain! They got
to do it-by the good God up yonder in
them skies, Bill, they got to do 1t!'
But the little flicker Of encourage
ment caused by a girls brave words
soon died away in the somber shadow
Of Tom Strickland's prison. 1t was two
very weary and gray faced old men
who came away from the prisoner an
hour later and parted at the jail's front,
each to 90 to his own home.
That evening Colonel Todhunter went
By appointment to the Strickland home
for conference with Toms father and
Major Gentry Dryden, leading counsel
for the defense. It was nearly mid
night when he returned to his own
home.
He found Aunt Mirandy Ransom
there. The old negress rose, trembling,
ut sight of him, her black hands flut-
terins toward him in instructive glad
ness Of welcome.
"Bress Gawd, yo' done Gomez she
cried. II been eatin' my ole heart out
waitin' TO- yo'. sub! Kunnl Todhunter.
yo' got some mighty quick an ticklish
wu'k cut out TO- yo' eff yo' gwine save
Mars Tom Strickland's life-das hue
come hyar now to tell 20 erbout it,
subj"
Through the after midnight blackness
that was soon to change into the gray
Of cloud swept dawn a fugitive man
and woman fed.
Side by side they sat in light road
wagon drawn by a rawboned horse
whose long and swift stride told Of its
selection for this special service.
The man, gaunt, swarthy, with keen
black eyes that cleaned alertly from
under the wide brim Of weather beat
en- sombrero. seemed Ill content. how
ever, with the progress being made.
Almost necessarily he urged the
horse to increased effort, now and then
cursing outright in the grip of fever
ish impotence.
Save when he leaned forward for this
urging the man sat slouching and limp.
the mark of the vagrant Ishmael on
every line Of body and limbs.
The woman was tense, rigid, her face
set always to the front 1t was framed
in by a shawl thrown over her head
and drawn about her shoulders. Once
or twice her glance went furtively to
the man beside her. Fear and distrust
were in her eyes. Her hands were
tightly clasped together as they lay In
her lap.
Deep woods stretched on either side
Of the road. Their stiffness was pro-
found. The >enveloping gloom seemed
as OF the grave itself. The woman
shuddered and drew her shawl closer.
Lord ha' mercy!' she spoke. II
can't do it. Jesse-I can't! It's worse'n
murder-worse'n what's been done
a'readyv
The man laid cruel lash across his
horses tanks. You fool!' he NUT
tered. "It's high time brung you
away! You lovesick fool"
The girls eyes flashed sullenly.
"That words a lier' she retorted
"Ain't goin' with you? And would
be a.doin that II was lovesick for
somebody else? It's a lie, and you
know it.'
The man laughed. IF you had stay
ed where you was you'd h blabbed
the whole thing out and you'd be in
iail now stead o. him."
Suddenly the woman threw her arms
nnwnrd. .'ItlI ha'nt me to my dyin.