Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1913-04-11

li,icai meeting which followed F.
the Strickland parade. Nearly all .
%Ninereh indeed. ordinarily SO quiet,
ewas in public evidence this night
grateful for little diversion.
The girl was a witness therefore to
she dire interruption of Colonel Tod /
aunsers speech and had also seen the
clash Of the rival factions, headed by
Tom Strick land and STAN Tucker. Her
eyes shone with expectancy of a per-
asonal encounter between the two
-Epung men.
''Terd, I'd Ike to see 'em c.inch.
she exclaimed, pushing a bit forward
as she spoke. They'd make a good
fight, too. seem as how there amt
been no love lost between 'em for
some time. l bet they'll get at it,
Her companion. girl who envied
HOttie-May that partial acceptance by
.Nineveh's good families which was
due to her grandfather's honorable
Confederate record, laughed a bit sig
raaalcantly 1T won't be your fault If
.shey don't fight some day. 1Iottie- May
Doggett." she charged. II hear you've
sbeen settin' your cap at both Of 'em
An a mighty dangerous way"
II amt been doin nothin' of the
sort. Indignantly denied Lottie-May.
resentment in her face. 1T amt my
csnult IL STAIN Tucker sets up to me, is
lit? And ] reckon Tom Strickland's
sgot the same right. amt he? You
better mind your own business and
Set my affairs alone"
LAND alive! What spit cat about
anothin.." protested the other. "But
Tom Strickland better leave STAN
Tucker alone. My brother says STAN
always carries a pistol and is dan
sgerous man when his blood's up"
.Lottie Mays eyes flashed instant dis
ssdain. II reckon Tom Strickland can
stake care OF himself" she retorted hot
ay. II wouldn't be afeared for him in
a difIicnlty with STAN Tucker"
Her companion laughed triumphant
ay. Il caught you that time, Lottie-
-Mgy!" she cried. Il just wanted to see
which you liked the best, STAN or Tom.
And it's Tom, that's who it ISL
sYou think you're smart, don't you?"
Seountered Lottie- May, but blushing an
szrily. well, you amt. Neither one
sof ZEN Is maxim me lay awake of
snishts. can tell you."
Urn be Tom does it. il anybody
szloes,~ calmly returned the other. But
fhey amt a-goin' to clinch this time,
at any rate. Pete Fanshaw's just call
..ssd 'em down and put stop to their
foolishness.'
Lottie- May was still Tuning with re-
sentiment Of this open bantering con-
seerning Tom Strickland and STAN
Tucker when she started homeward.
Not at all unwilling to accept the Sc
sscret wooing Of either, she intuitively
sshrank from the open coupling of their
names with hers. The shadow Of her
gmother's shame oppressed her, and it
-waS only In moments of sudden anger
sor other excitement that she surren-
ss7ered to mood Of reckless defiance of
xaer dark inheritance.
Even now, however. it gave Lottie-
May a thrill of yainful triumph to re-
member that STAIN Tucker was await
ing her somewhat farther along her
lonely homeward way through the
might and that he would accompany
Eher as near to her suspicious old grand
fathers house as she dared permit
But Tom Strickland himself interviewed
before her meeting with STAN Tucker
this night. He, too. was homeward
sbound. encountering the girl at Sc
rcluded crossing of their respective
roads Lottie-Mays heart gave great
leap as she recognized him in the dark
ness. A sudden impulse of passionate
senticement possessed her soul.
Goodness me. Tom Stricklandr she
cried. You skeered me most to death!
4 took you for one of them Black Bot
toms men from the trappin' camp"
Emphasizing her claim Of panic, she
stood very close to Tom. A loose
strand of her hair blew against his
face. Her dark eyes were velvety with
wlnconcealed tempting, her voice vi
sbrant with appeal.
You oughtn't to be going home by
yourself at this time Of night. Lottie-
May" said Tom. ut amt safe-for as
young and-and as pretty a girl as you
are His voice shook just little.
Lottie-Aiay laughed. There. Tom.
you've actually paid me compliment
she exclaimed. perilous exultation
acurying her red lips "lt's the first
lone. too. Maybe you amt so hard
hearted in the nighttime as you are in
the daytime. Tom
There was the frankest wooing in
che girls manner. She moved until be-
softly rounded young shoulder toucls- 4
Toms arm.
Il never saw the day l was afr:
Eo tell you how pretty you Hrp"'
said. But that's inst the iron
wight now. don't q to zee on
Ing home aioEs so | at nighi .