The Delta independent., 1910-07-15
AMI A\1N>ZI.E{.E PIP 2 z@1 10 '
2ISJE1MQ1LlL,IE@{S9 e
6y FRE[D[{{E[R0GCA [R[{[D[DA!!l.l5
OAUTHOR fIHE OTHER NAN ETC.
GZLA5ZTAZz0rY M III NNZzZRG

and cOolly gave the necessary IN
structions. Stennis, with one glove
on. stood. riding-whip in hand, in
dumb amaZement at the consummate
impudence of the man. 1t was a
novel and not very agreeable expert
ence. Hews, in return. scrutinized
his employer with a provokingly cool
stare, an unpleasant leer on his thin
lips.
Your manners are confoundedly
unpleasant this morning, Mr.. Hews,"
said Wilfrid. lingering the stock of his
whip nervously. There was something
covertly venomous n the attitude as
sumed by his secretary which made
him itch to lay the heavy lash about
his shoulders, as one would chastise
an unruly dog.
ID yer think so?" said the other, in
the most offensive tone he could mus
ter. Il guess you'll find what I've got
to say still less to y'r liking"
That's impossible to decide as long
Wilfrid, who was fast losing patience.
Hews snorted.
You've had a pretty good time
these three years past, haven't you?"
he queried
Stennis made no reply.
Yes, you've had things altogether
y'r own way, spending money right
and left and livin on the fat of the
land"
Still no answer.
And now y're going to get spliced,
Hnd live in nc of ii1tinD
the poor girl y once promised to
marry!"
That's an Internal lie, whoever told
you sol" Wilfrid whipped out, stung
at last into angry speech.
rs it? Well, this what I'm going to
tell y is no lie-y' hear me? we
got no more right to Andrew Meleen's
millions than have!"
Stennis started as though he had
been bitten in the heel by an adder,
but he controlled his voice admirably.
"Oblige me by saying that over
again." he answered quietly.
Il tell yer that we been spending
money that doesn't belong to yer
not a single, solitary red cent of it.
Y're no more the rightful heir of Andy
Meleen than 1 am! Is that plain
enough?"
Wilfrid stepped to the door, locked
It, and put the key in his pocket.
IF you are sane and sober, you'll
understand that you cannot leave this
room until you have proved every
word-or taken the consequences"
stennis, shaking the heavy riding
quirt suggestively.
"Oh, l know what I'm talking
about" rejoined Hews airily; my facts
are all o. K"
Let me have the facts then-not
mere windy assertions" retorted the
other. Il am not to be frightened or
blackmailed, Mr.. Hews."
You'll get the proofs fast enough
when I'm ready to give 'em out. What
! want to know first is, are y open to
make a deal?"
Explain yourself" said Wilfrid with
admirable self-control
Il say y're fraud; that y're not the
true heir; that a word from nell turn
> out neck and crop tomorrow. Now,
how much is 1t wuth to hush the hull
thing and go on as we been doing?"
you must be little more explicit.
Mr. Hews.' said Wifrid gently, upon
whom the conviction was forcing itself
that he had to deal with a maniac
whom it were best to humor. You
cannot expect me to make any ar
rangement-a deal. you call tin the
dark. / must first know what 1t is all
about"
But the next words of Roger Hews
dispelled this idea. The situation was
indicated by the savagely insolent
manner of the man.
i've got evidence t show-legal ev-
idence. mind y'-that Andy Meleen
left daughter. born in lawful we'd
lock, although he didn't suspect it
when he made his will. That girls
alive yet. Nobody knows it now but
me. and / can perdooce her any min
ute. You've got sense enough to see
that in any court of equity this knocks
you out completely. II only Andy'd
"a known 1t. you wouldn't "a been in
1t at all. These three years past
you've been spending her money
money belonging to Andy Meleen's or
phan daughter!"
Go on" said Wilfrid, looking Hews
squarely in the eye as the latter
paused to note the effect of this knock.
down statement
''As / was sayin', not a soul knows
this but me. How / know 1t is my
business. do know 1t, an en- prove
1t. The girl doesn't dream of it, neith-
er does her-her folks. Now, then
here you stand: You're fond of soft
living| can see that; you've got in
with the smart set. you're engaged to
be married to one of 'em, and you're
personally liable to Andy Meleen's es.
tate for every dollar you've spent OF
his money. That's SO. amt it?"
Wilfrid nodded assent merely for