Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-05-14
Colonel
TODHUNTER
of Missouri
BY RIPLEY D. SAUNDERS
Copyright 1911. BY the BObbs-MeriH
Company
CHAPTER XII.
Tragedy on the Road.

him TO do. In reply to an apparently
careless question. Margaret Strickland.
Toms eldest sister. told him that Tom
had gone into town soon after break
fast
Colonel Todhunter returned into Min
eveh at once. after explaining to Mar.
garet Strickland that he had forgotten
TO execute certain housekeeping mis-
sions for Mrs. Todhunter before driv-
ing out. But he found no trace OF Tom
Strickland until be came to a certain
barroom frequented mainly by the
Yancey and Tucker factions In politics.
Colonel" said the bartender. in an
swer TO a question. Tom Strickland
was in here. sir. about two hours ago
Iookin' for STAN Tucker. Not fndin
him. and wditin' here quite awhile in
hopes Of his turnin' up. be wrote a note
yonder Mt that table and sent il out by
one OF the town boys 10 STAINS house.
Then he went away. sir"
Have you any idea where he went?"
The bartender hesitated for a mo-
ment. Then: well, Colonel Todhuut-
err he said ut last 81 believe. from
20 see that girl. Lottie-May Doggett.
that the scandals about now, sir. He
was drinkin' pretty heavy. colonel, and
he talked pretty threatenin' about STAN
Tucker. and It seemed TO me that the
two things was connected In some way
his trouble with STAN and his trou-
bic with the girl. I'm inclined to think
there's n difficulty brewin'. colonel
Leaving the barroom, Colonel Tod
hunter drove directly out to old Rafe
Doggett's place. Neither the girl nor
her grandfather was at home. Return
ing into Nineveh he encountered Sim
Birdsong, who wore an anxious face.
\ I've just seen STAN Tucker. suhp'
cried Sim. I'VE aren't bit too soon
IN layin' our plans To prevent trouble.
Colonel TOdhunter- He's just got a
note from Tom Strickland teliiu' him
20 come into town tonight IL be don't
want TO have serious trouble at his
own home instead. so it's plain that
Tom Strickland's on the warpath. sub"
whats STAN Tucker goin' TO do"
"He amt goin' into town. colonel.
He told me that he had an engage
ment 20 call on young lady, so he
wouldn't be at home anyway If Tom
came there loolIin' for him. and. be-
sides. he says he'll 90 most anything
TO prevent trouble just at this time.
He's as anxious to get away on that
fshin' frolic as we are to have him
get away. Colonel Todhunter."
I'm powerful glad 10 hear IT," COM
mented the colonel. We'll. with Sta m
Tucker not goin' into town and not
stayin' at home and Tom Strickland
not KNOWN where he's 10 be found.
reckon things are pretty tolerable safe
for tonight. But don't you fail 10 get
"Stam or on that fishing jaunt before
daybreak tomorrow, Sim"
II won't, subj" promised Sim Bird
song earnestly. "I'll get him IL have
to drag him by the scruff o. the neckr
Arising early the next morning
Colonel Todhunter drew in a deer
breath OF fresh air, grateful Of soul.
Thank the Lord he said TO him
self STAN fuckers gone with Sin
and the other boys aud we've got {
few days hreathin' time anyway be
fore there's any further danger"
But even as Colonel Todhuuter thus
spoke young Stamford Tucker la!
dead at home. He had been shot tn,
night before, and Tom Strickland nov
was held a prisoner In the little Nine
veh Jail accused OF his murder.
10 A messenger bearing these dreadful
tidings arrived as the colonel stood OF
the front gallery enjoying the fresh
- -. i
Tom Strickland himself.
~ Colonel Todhunter received the new
in silence. his gray brows bent unit
his eyes were but two glints OF meta
slic blue gray beneath, his grim lips sc
In an inheXible line.
"Tell Tom I'll be with him righ
away" he said at the story's compile
ton. And tell him TO keep his couI
age up-rm going to do everything
can for him."
Nevertheless the coloneRs own heal
was heavy for .Mary's sake. for Tom
fdire peril and knowing well that
would all come near 70 breaking II
heart Of Colonel Bill Strickland. b
lifelong friend. But It was no time I
sit IN cold judgment upon Toms sii
The boy muStsreceive.all the help thi
was in the power OF mortal man I
give.
Hating a moment at the Nineve
hotel 20 send = telegram 20 the 10,
WilhRmyJ. Strickland, now himse
campaigning In northern Missouri
Colonel Todhunter then hurried 10 n
jail The mOment-his eyes.fell on Tol
Strickland's face he knew that the Ia
had been drinking heavily. The tw
clRspeds hands and stood facing eac
other in silence. At last the colon,
spoke.
Tom" he said. II want to tell 20
at the start that I'm goin' 10 acceI
every word you say as gospel. and
want you to'tell me the whole trut
Then while we're waitin' for. your Il
Their TO get here I'll know better wins
20 do IN beginnin' arrangements fC
your defense. You must tell me th
Gods truth, my boy"