Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1913-06-06
Colonel
"TODHUNTf.'', !
OF Missouri
By RIPLEY D. SAUNDERS
Copyright. 1911. By the Bobbs- Mer-
rill Company.
Copyright. lsli. by the Bobbs-Mer-
rill Company.
CHAPTER XII.
A Strange Cry From Black Lips.

came in response to an urgent teie-
graphic summons from the candidate.
whom he found in close conference
with Major Gentry Dryden one of
Missouris most famous criminal law
yers. Colonel Todhunter was with
them.
We'll bring Tom through all right.
governor" said Colonel Strickland. al
though his worn and worried face be-
lied the brave words. but in the mean.
time thought it best to get you down
here SO that could straighten myself
out In the matter Of my campaign for
the nomination for governor with as
little delay as possible"
what do you mean to do?" asked
old Leslie.
II mean to withdraw from the race"
replied Colonel Strickland. II can't
run. carrying this weight of Toms
trouble. It's got me beat right now
I won't ask my friends to make a
hopeless fight
"You'N stay right where you are"
D id Governor Leslie. You're not re-
slmnsihir for Toms reckless folly. and
the Democratic voters In Missouri
Won't hoid you responsible"
1.-THE Yancey crowd will make It ap-
pear that the killing Of STAN Tucker
was political murder" CaOnel
Strickland answered. They're doing
It already. Their newspapers are han.
ding the case along that line. They've
published the story Of the quarrel be-
tween Tom and STAN Tucker the night
we opened my campaign here in Nine
veh and OF their light in the barroom
the next day. They point out that old
Eph Tucker II my bitterest political
enemy and that he and his son were
working tooth and nail for Stephen K
Yancey and that this political fend has
resulted In the assassinati ton Of Eph
fuckers son by my son. It's 4 pretty
black story hnndled that way and it'll
do me all sorts Of harm throughout the
state
They can't ignore the fact. in the
case" retorted Governor Leslie. I'm
the first place. as understand it. your
son himself doesn't know that it was
H. who shot STAN Tucker. He's bound
to plead not guilty. and the prosecu-
lions got to prove the fact Of guilt
In the second place. the real reason for
deadly trouble between Tom and STAN
Tucker was the story told by that Dog
gett girl sud its bearing upon their
fivalry for the hand Of Miss Mary Tod
hunter. The Doggett story puts an en-
tirely new light on the feud between
the two boys"
.'Not the way the Yancey organs are
presenting it, said Colonel Strickland.
cit only serves to intensity the original
trouble and to make thrilling muir
der story with what they call roman
tic as well as political trimmings.
They're featuring 1t on that basis. and
they're going to get steve Yancey nom-
mated just that way"
II thought this was what you want
ed to ace me about" commented old
Governor Leslie. ''Ho | had confer
ence with the at. Louis men who
worked with me to put you in the
race Bat before tell you any more
about that want to ask you just one
question, Bill Strickland"
A moment Of silence followed these
words. Colonel Strickland held Gov
ernor T.esiie's eyes with hin own in.
quirinGly.
"Do you want your son to be con.
victed OF the murder Of Stamford
Tucker asked Governor Leslie.
'Good God. man. cried Colonel
Strickland. "HOw can you ask such
q thing:''
Governor Leslie turned to Major
Gentry Dryden. Dryden" he queried
'.what would be the effect Of Colonel
Etrickland's withdrawal from the cam
paign Mt this time:"
ut would be taken as confession OF
his belief In his sons guilt 1t would
be the worst blow possible to the de
Tense right now. | should strongly
protest against Colonel StrickIand's
Withdrawal"
lie. turning to the candidate. THAI
was exactly the view l TOOK OF II
you've got to consider your sons in
terests above all else. Strickland
And now I'll tell you what your st
Louis hackers said. They authorized
me to refuse to accept your with
dra wal as candidate for the Demo
cratic nomination for governor Of Mis-
souri, Aside from whatever persona
regard they may have for you. they
believe that. even as matters nov
stand. you're the strongest man In thu
state and that you've still got bette
fighting chance to win than any othe
man would have. You've got TO sta!
In. Strickland"
But. good Lord. man. how can
fight to any purpose:" asked Colone
Strickland piteously. II must dea
fairly with you, SO tell you RICH
here and now that compared will