Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1911-12-08
or course she Isl" was the off-hand

not trace her in the first placer"
"Ah,' said Hews, with cunning
chuckle, that's where come in. You
didn't know you had such an uncle;
she doesn't dream she had such par
ent."
Where is this lady?"
That's my business; there's no
need for you to know-leastways not
yet"
And her name?"
That's another secret" laughed
Hews, with 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 l can find out after what |
you have told me already?"
Perhaps you can," admitted Hews,
but you're not going to be such q
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
Wilfrid, apparently getting down to
| business.
Roger Hews drew long breath and
/ moistened his lips nervously. 1t was
crucial moment.
Now you're talkin'," he began. II
won't be too hard on you. All the
same, want a fair rake-off. Suppose
we say $5,000,000. Cash, mind! You'll
never miss it, and that'll about set
me up for life."
'I am afraid you value yourself too
cheaply, Mr.. Hews," said Stennis
gravely.
j Don't try any of your fine sar-
casms with me-" growled Hews. Il
know what I'm about
/, And supposing that / close with
this very liberal offer of yours, what
assurance have that in the near fu-
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 hush-money is hard"
I'll put all the proofs in your hands
and you can destroy 'em," 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 moment, then:
Mostly documents-copies of mar
,riage and death certificates, and affi-
davits of various persons bearin' on
the case. Of course, my story comes
in an makes the hull thing plain; but
shall be mum If you come to terms"
II 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
unless you choose. I may as we'll tell
you plainly / am not going into this
thing with my eyes shut. / must know
how the case stands"
Roger Hews put on his thinking-cap.
Apparently the young upstart" was
coming around, and it could do no
harm to let in a little light on the
past. So he said with some show of
frankness:
well, l guess that's only fair.
Here's the story in nutshell: Nearly
30 years ago. when y'r uncle was n
man of As, he married a girl much
younger'n himself. By all can make
out she had pretty face an devil
| vi q ICHupcI. Wutu luey UGGn u1dl-
ried month they quarreled, he quit
her, and enlisted The wife thought
he'd deserted her, so, havin', 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 off as widder. In
due course a daughter was born, and
about the same time the news come
to her that she really was a widow
Andy Meleen being reported as killed
in battle. So bein', as she supposed
legally free, she married again, and
died year later, second infant, also
a girl, dyin' 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 hel
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 thil
when, as you told me. you were sen
Some of it-not ALL" admittet
Hews with cheerful candor
why did not you acquaint the law
yers with the true state of affairs?"
well, you see," replied Hews, will
another knowing wink, "at that time
only suspicioned certain things.
meant to work up the case later. l
the fact turned out to be as thought
it looked as though good thing nigh
be made out of it,"
Meaning to turn it to account witt
me afterwards?" inquired Stennis.
"Sure!" was the unabashed answer
now that his unsuspected plot to mar
ry Eunice had ignominiously failed
Silence ensued, both men beinl
busy with their thoughts; Hews locke,
for quick and easy capitulation. A
length Wilfrid spoke again: