The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1910-10-27


an Internal scoundrel!"
I've been told that before In my
business" retorted Hews, with cal.
lous laugh. 1T don't hurt any The
question 10, Are you in on this deal?
There's others'll pay for the stun If
you wont"
That's my business; there's no
need for you to know-leastway not
yet"
And her name?"
That's another secret" laughed
Hews, with a cunning wink.
Wen see about that" commented
Wilfrid significantly. IF what you
say be true. ! am probably her near
est relative. Besides, you idiot, don't
you suppose | can find out after what
you have told me already"
Perhaps you can" admitted Hews,
but you're not going to be such a
ninny. You're safe in possession; If
you do the right thing by me, the
things dead and buried so far as I'm
concerned"
What Is your price," demanded
Wilirid, apparently getting down to
business.
Roger liews drew long breath and
moistencd his lips neryously. 1t was
crucial moment.
Now you're talkif'," he began. Il
won't be too hard on you. All the
same, | want fair rake-off. Suppose
we say $1,000 900, Cash, mind Youll
never miss it, and that'll about set
me mp for life"
And supposing that / close with
this very liberal offer OF yours, what
assurance have | that In the near lu-
ture you will not be at my heels again
with similar demand? I've always
heard that the way of the transgres-
sor who pays hushmoney Is hard
I'm put all the proofs in your hands
and you can destroy EN-" exclaimed
Hews eagerly That five millions be.
gan to take tangible shape,
What IS the nature OF these so
called proofs?' inquired Stennis.
Roger considered a moment then:
Mostly documents-co of mar.
riage and death certificates, and aft
davits of various persons bearin' on
the case. or course, my story comes
in an makes the hull thing plain, but
! shall be mum If you come to terms"
Il see" said Stennis. appearing to
fall in with Rogers proposition. But
suppose you go a little further and
outline the situation for me, Mr.. Hews
You need not mention names or dates
you plainly | am not going into this
thing with my eyes shut. | must know
how the case stands"
well, guess that's only fair.
Here's the story in nutshell: Nearly
30 years ago, when y'r uncle was q
man Of 45, he married a girl much
younsern himself. BY all can make
out she had pretty face an a devil
of temper. When they'd been mar.
ricd month they quarreled. he quit
her, and enlisted The wife thought
he'd deserted her, so, hayin to shift
for herself, she left the place where
she was known, went to another town
some miles away, dropped her married
name, resOomed her maiden name,
and passed herself of as a wilder. In
due course daughter was born, and
about the same time the news come
TO her that she really was "A widow
i Andy Meleen being reported as killed
In battle. So beiu'. as she supposed
| legally free, she married again, and
died year later, a second infant also
girl, dyln' with her. Your uncle
! heard OF this latter event and thought
| 1t was his child that died But this
wasn't so. The Meleen girl thrived
and grew up under the care OF her
stepfather. who never knew that his
marriage to her mother was illegal
Andy bein' alive all the time"
During this interesting recital some
things became clear to Stennis.
Presumably you found out all this
when, as you told me- you wore sen,
east after my uncle's death?"
Some OF !t-not ALL" admitted
Hews with cheerful candor.
Why did nCt you acquain, the law
yers with the true state OF affairs?'
Well. you see. replied Hews. will