Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1913-05-30

il'l Il'tH ANA al >tilI Ut ht-i =
stead and tnat he quarrelcd with STAN
and killed him tor rcfuSin' to acknowl-
edge publicly that this was the truth
Even this "in't much of IL chanre but
if we don't get ii Tom Stricklands 90
IN to the galloWs just as certain us the
sun rises and sets. If you told what
amt so. Lottie-May. his blood will be
On your head
Tie 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 Scoffcd. what does 1t
amount TO. Colonel Todhunter! Just
two things, and I'll tell you what they
are. | help to get Tom Strickland ont
- danger for KILN STAN Tucker. and
| 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 otf'n Tom
Strickland and put it on Il dead man
instead-put it on STAN Tucker. that
was shot and killed by Tom Strickland
because both of 'em loved Miss Mary
Todhunter.
I'm askin' yon to tell the truth.
Lottie May said Colonel Todhuuter;
that's all. I'm askin' you to tell me
now what you will surely have to tell
under oath in the Nineveb courtroom
at Tom Stricklands trial unless you
mean to perjure your soul by kissin'
the Bible and then swearin' to a lie
That's where you are. my girl. If 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 witness for or against
Tom Strickland when he was placed
on trial for his life. And again. sue.
ceeding this. her eyes hardened with
the deadly ran-Or born of her secret
thoughts.
Il told Mrs. Todhunter the truth"
she replied What | told her TN
tell in court. If | got to. | might he
willin' to tell might be within to
tell a lie for Tom Strickland's sake ii
1t want for Miss Mary Todhunter.
but 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.
"Thats all wanted to see you
about. Lottie-May," he said finally.
1T looks like l been on fools err
rand. but I've done the best | could.
Goodby. child, and you better think
over what I've been sayin' to you after
I'm gone"
Oddly enough. a little sob broke
from the girls throat as the colonel
SpOhc. uc heat IlOiucul. WIFI OuS
hand fluttering nervously at her bos-
ON. she closed the door behind him.
Crossing the country road few
rods from the gate leading into the
Doggetts' yard, Colonel Todhunter
stopped to speak to Aunt Mirandy
Ransom. the old negress whom he had
last met in the Nineveh town square
and who now stood at the door of her
little cabin. After talking with her
some brief time he resumed his way
into town.
He met the Hon. William J. Strick.
land at the entrance to the Nineveh
Jail. The fathers face was gray with
anxiety. Colonel Todhunter held his
hand with grip Of comforting friend
liness.
1.-THE boys in hell's own hole. Bill"
he said. But you and me II pull him
out Of it IL we've got to bust the
breechin' dom it. subj
ITO Be Continued