Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-05-14

ger. amt you. Colonel Todhunter?
You're, just like all the rest OF 'em. I'm
settled and done for. I'm dirt under
you alrs feet. But maybe : can help
save Tom Strickland if l tell the right
sort Of a story-that's it, amt It?
Well, amt goin' to do it, Colonel Tod
huntern'
Tom Strickland's got just one chance
for his life, Lottie-May." said Colonel
Todhunter. and that is. to prove that
you accused him of u sin that ought to
ha' been laid at STAN fuckers door in
stead and that he quarreled with STAN
and killed him for refusin' to acknowl-
edge publicly that this was the truth.
Even this amt much OF Il chance. but
If we don't get it Tom Srickland's go
in to the gallows just as certain as the
sun rises and sets. If you told what
amt so, Lottie-May, his blood will be
on your head"
The girl shrank back and shivered
as If she had been struck. Then. again.
the hard mocking light leaped into her
eyes, and she laughed aloud
And If change my story to please
you ALL" she scoffed, what does it
amount to. Colonel Todhunter? Just
two things. and I'll tell you what they
are. help to get Tom Strickland out
o. danger for KILN STAN Tucker. and
I clear his good name so he can go
straight and marry your daughter
Mary. That's what do-if I'm willin'
to tell the story you all want me to
tell. and so lift my shame off'n Tom
Strickland and put it on a dead man
instead-put it on STAN Tucker, that
was shot and killed by Tom Strickland
because both OF 'em loved Miss Mary
Todhunterw
I'm askin' you to tell the truth.
Lottie-May," said Colonel Todhunter;
that's all. I'm askin' you to tell me
now what you will surely have tottell
| under oath IN the Nineveh courtroom
! at Tom Strickland's trial unless you
mean to perjure your soul by kissin'
| the Bible and then swearin' to q lie.
That's where you are, my girl. X you
told the truth in what you said to Mrs.
Todhunter about Tom Strickland /
amt got another word to say But.
| if you didn't, for Gods sake tell it now.
| Lottie-May, and help me and Toms
father TO save his life"
Again the girls face had whitened
| as Colonel Todhunter so suddenly ac-
| quainted her with the fact that she
must needs be q witness for or against
| Tom Strickland when be was placed
| on trial for his life. And again. sue
ceeding this. her eyes hardened with
| thoughts.
Il told Mrs Todhunter the truth
| she replied. What ! told her I'LL
tell in court. If got to. l might he
willin' to tell might be willin' tc
| tell lie for Tom Strickland's sake il
it want for Miss Mary Todhunter
but 1 can't do it for her. and | won't
1t amt in my blood to let another wo
man walk on me to get TO the man
love. Colonel Todhunter. and you and
all the rest Of 'em might as well know
it once and for all. | got the same
! shame on me now that my mother had
and I'm her daughter, body and soul"
Colonel Todhunter looked at Lottie
May Doggett long and silently. His
face was grave when he spoke.
That's all | wanted to see yor
about, Lottie-May." he said finally
1T looks like been on a FOOLS err
rand. but I've done the best l could
Goodby. child. and you better think
over what I've been sayin' to you aftel
I'm gone"
Oddly enough, n little sob broke
from the girls throat as the colone
spoke. The next moment. with on'
hand futtering nervously at her Dos
ON, she closed the door behind him.
Crossing the country road a few
rods from the gate leading into thu
Doggetts' yard. Colonel Todhunte
stopped to speak to Aunt Mirand!
Ransom, the old negress whom he hat
last met in the Nineveh town squar,
and who now stood at the door of he
little cabin. After talking with he
some brief time he resumed his wa.
into town.
He met the Hon. William J. Strick
land at the entrance TO the Ninevel
Jail. The fathers face was gray witt
anxiety. Colonel Todhunter held hi
hand with grip of comforting friend
illness.
''The boys in helrs own hole. Bill.
he said. But you and me III pull hir
out or it if we've got to bust tn
breechin' dom it, subj