The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-05-08
Colonel
T0DHUNTER:
Of Missouri
By RIPLEY D. SAUNDERS
Copyright, 1911, by the Bobbs-M er-
rill Company.
Observation-Disclosures

NOUyEASASS AoAAp W SAo ASDo"0A'AoN
rill Company.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Apparently bewildered, Tom Strick-
land turned away, his helpless glance
resting for breath Of time on Mary's
face. The shock and shame of what
the girl had just heard were shown in
the look that met his. Then she avert
ed her gaze and Tom Strickland left
her side, the women whispering behind
him. He came direct to Colonel Tod
hunter.
II must see you, colonel" be mutter-
ed brokenly. You heard everything,
didn't you?"
The colonel nodded. studying the
speaker closely as they moved away.
what is it, Tom ?" be asked. "What
can do for your
Tom Strickland laughed bitterly.
"'Nothing." he replied. But must tell
you the only thing can do for myself.
I've got to see Stamford Tucker and
choke the truth out Of him!"
What do you mean?'
II mean that he's got to tell the tEuth
and face this scandal in my place. BE
fs the one that's responsible, not l.
God only knows what possessed Lottie-
May Doggett to lay her disgrace at my
door,
Colonel Todhunter drew a quick Sigh
of relief. 1T that's the truth, Tom,
you're all right. and I must say I'm
glad to hear 1t, because the case looks
mighty ugly for you otherwise. I'll
have to speak plainly, Tom, as Mary's
father. II you've got the proofs that'll
call STAN Tucker to time produce 'em
right now"
The younger man looked the speaker
in the face. white hot anger in his
eyes. Then suddenly doubt and some
thing of dismay took the place Of rage.
At last he laughed mockingly, as II at
himself
II haven't got shred Of proof" he
said, unless my own conviction. from
what Lottie-May herself has told me.
can give hold on STAN Tucker that'n
make him toe the mark. I've got the
girls word that STAN Tucker made
love to her and that she met him in
secret"
"And Lottie-May, has Just publicly.
accused you." commented Colonel Tod
hunter, curious expression in his eyes
as they rested upon Tom Stricllands
pale face. That's mighty poor evil
dence, Tom. The girl has made 1t
worthless in advance. Nobody on earth
would believe you"
Tom Strickland lifted one clinched
hand and smote it savagely into the
open palm of the other.
Nobody but STAN Tucker" he cried.
"'He'll know it's the truth and he'll
know that Lottie-May told me because
she was trying to make me bis rival
And he's got to confess that it's the
truth-by God. III kill him if be DON'T!
''Stop right there. Tom!' exclaimed
Colonel Todhunter sternly. You're
maxim the biggest fool Of yourself
that's possible on all this earth to
man in your fix, subj
Fool or no fool" cried Tom Strick-
land. I'm not going to let this thing
lay at my door when know the guilty
man, and know, besides. be wouldn't
ask nothing better'n for Miss Mary
to throw me over on account Of this SO
that he could marry her. That's the
situation, Colonel TOdhuntcr, and no
man 1T to be called q man would let
STAN Tucker 60 free" ...
s. III you go lookin' for STAN Tucker
now, Tom." said Colonel Todhunter
quietly, "there'll be shootin' scrape
in less'n two minutes after you two
come together and somebody's mighty
apt to get killed. If it's you, the diff
Guilty amt helped you any that can
see If it's STAN Tucker, then you're
worse off'n ever because he'll be dead
and you'll be held for KILN him and
Lottie-May Doggett's accusation will
stand against you. Have some sense.
my boy, before it's too late"
Tom Strickland laughed at the words.
-T'll have sense enough be retorted.
It'll see that STAN Tucker don't profit
by this thing. And there's only one
way to see to it-and that's by having
it out with STAN Tucker himself and
making him tell the truth. You cant
interfere in this matter, sir, even
though you are Miss M9ry's father.
No third party can take land in it..
sir"
Colonel Todhunter contemplated the
speaker earnestly for moment. Then
he nodded.
You're right, Tom,' he conceded. II
reckon you'n STAN Tucker'll have to
sift this out between you, and tn
amt nobody else can lift finger. But
I've Just got one favor to ask Of you
before you go any further, my boy"
whats that, sir?' asked Tom. y