Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-04-30
Colonel
TODEIUNTER
of Missouri
By RIPLEY D. SAUNDERS
Copyright. 1911. B, the BObbs.MsrrIl
COMPANY
CHAPTER ~.
Copyright. 1911. By the BObbs.MerrIH
COMPANY
Lostis-May Doasstt wesves a Web.

and eager face alight with ex-
citement. had attended the po-
litical meeting which followed
the Strickland parade. Nearly all
Nineveh indeed. ordinarily 80 quiet,
was in public evidence this night,
grateful for little diversion.
The girl was witness therefore 10
the dire interruption of Colonel Tod
hunters speech and had also seen the
clash Of the rival factious, headed by
Tom Strickland and STAN Tucker. Her
eyes shone with expectancy OF a per
sonal encounter between the two
young men.
Lord, I'd like TO see EN- elinch"
she exclaimed. pushing a bit forward
as she spoke. They'd make a good
fight. too. seem as how there amt
been 10 love lost between EN- for
some time bet they'll get mt it,"
Her companion. girl who envied
Lottie May that partial acceptance by
Nineveh's good families which was
due To her grandfather's honora BILE
Confederate record. laughed bit sig
nifcantly. 1T won't he your fault II
they don't fight some day. LOttie May
Doggett," she charged. Il hear you've
been Settin' your cap at both of EN-
In mighty dangerous way"
u uln't been doin' nothin' Of the
sort Indignantly denied Lottie-May,
Resentment i'm her face. 1t amt my
fault II STAN Tucker sets up to me. is
Il; And ! reckon Tom Strickland S
got the same right. amt he: You
better mind your own business and
let my affairs alone"
Land alive, What spit cat about
nothin'," protested the other. But
Tom Strickland better leave STAN
Tucker alone Ny brother says STAN
always carries "a pistol and is a dan
gerous man when his hoods up"
Lottie Mays eyes flashed instant dis.
dain. II reckon Tom Strickland can
take care Of himself" she retorted hot
ly. II wouldn't he afeared for him In
.dificulty with STAN Tucker"
Her companion laughed triumphant
ly. Il caught you that time. Lottie
May" she cried Il just wanted TO see
which you liked the best, STAN or Tom
And it's Tom. that's who It isl
"You think you're smart don't you ?
countered Lottie- May, but blushing an
gTily. We'll, you amt Neither one
Of 'em is maxim me lay awake OF
nights. | can tell you"
It'll be Tom does it. II anybody
does" calmly returned the other. Blu
they amt a-goin' to ciiBch this time
at any rate. Pete Fanshaw's just call
ed EN- down and put a stop TO theiI
foolishneSs"
Lottie May was still fuming with re
sentiment OF this open bantering con
corning Tom Strickland and stan
Tucker when she started homeward
Not At all unwilling to accept the Sc
cret wooing OF either she intuitivel!
shrank from the open coupling OF thei
names with hers. The shadow Of he
mothers shame oppressed her, and
was Only in moments Of sudden ange
or other excitement that she surren
dered to q mood OF reckless defiance o
her dark inheritance.
Even now. however. II gave Lottie
May a thrill OF vatRful triumph to re
member that STAN Tucker was await
ing her somewhat farther along be
lonely homeward way through the
night and that he would accOmpan
her a. near to her suspicious old grand
fathers house as she dared permit
But Tom Strickland himself intervene
before her meeting with STAN Tucke
this night he. too, was homewar,
bound. encountering the girl at a So
cluded crossing OF their respective
roads. Lottie Mays heart gave a gres
leap as she recognized him in the darE
ness. A sudden impulse OF pasSionat
enticement possessed her soul.
Goodness me. Tom Strickland" sh
cried. -YOu skeered me most to death
took you for one Of them Black Bot
toms men from the trzppin' camp"
Emphasizing her claim OF panic. sh
stood very close 10 Tom. A loos
strand Of her hair blew against hi
face. Her dark eyes were velVety wit
uncOueeaied tempting. her voice v
brant with appeal.
you oughtn't TO be going home b
yourself at this time Of night. Lottit
May" said Tom. 1t amt safe-for q