The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-10-02
Her Husbands Widow

Erdsley pointed to a document
spread out on the desk before him. Sir
Ralph recognized it. at once as tho
copy OF certificate Of marriage.
He picked it up and glanced across
the vertical columns. It certified that
Victor Steele, sergeant, had been mar
ried by license to Leslie Morne, spin
ster at the Register Office, Hounslow,
on October 4, 10, the witnesses be-
ing Sergeants Terence O'Rourke and
David Gilchrist.
The baronet gave a prolonged whis-.
tie and laid the paper down again. He
thrust his thumbs into his waistcoat
pocket and looked at his friend.
"How's that, umpire" asked Mr..
Erdsley, with much self-complacency.
ut settles Steeles game with the wild
ow, doesn't it,"
Sir Ralph thought that it settled
much bigger game, but with admirable
presence of mind he did not say SO.
Indeed, after his wont, he proceeded
to discount the value of his friends
discovery.
81 don't know that it does, after ALL"
he said doubtfully 1.-The girl may be
dead or divorced-though that's I'M
likely, I admit Besides, it doesn't
follow that because Mrs. Melas can't
marry him she will marry me-"
! Hang it all, Gaveston!" cried the
other man disgustedly, II never knew
such a chap to throw cold water on
another fellows schemes! Here have
been to the trouble OF putting spoke
in your rivals wheel, and you don't
so much as thank mel"
%r
you, dear boy, I'm sure you're welcome
to them-or even to some liquid re-
freshment But before we go, what
about squaring that rag? I've got
few thousand together-never mind
how-and it may with economy just
tide US over this crisis. Suppose you
ring up Sneedle and ask him to step
round here at once"
He'll think we want to give him
thrashing."
Hell chance it, I'll bet he's been
expecting to hear from us long time
past Meanwhile I'll step round to
my bank and pay this check in. Then
I'll pay in a check to the syndicate's
account We can have drink on the
l1ay down.
\ Excited at the prospect OF an en-
A,unter with the hated financial Jour-
nalst, Erdsley seemed to forget for
the moment his discovery in the mar
riage register. But it's full signifi-
canoe was not lost upon Sir Ralph. He
walked slowly back from the bank to
allow himself time to decide on his
course of action. Steele had married
Leslie. He at once dismissed the pos
sibility of a divorce having taken
place. Leslie had, Willingly or unwit-
tingly married his cousin while her
first husband was alive, therefore her
child was not Varney's heir. He, Sir
Ralph, was.
To be Varney's heir was not likely
to help him much, seeing that he was
so much older than his cousin, and
also that a great portion of the prop
erty could be transferred by will II
he had made this discovery he would
perhaps have kept quiet on the chance
of Varney predeceasing him and leav-
ing no will. But in any case that pos
sibility was very remote. and now
there was the danger of Erdsley's pur-
suing his investigations further, and
establishing the identity of Leslie
Morne with Leslie Varney He must
act at once and drive the best bar
gain he could with his cousin before
his confederate forestalled him.
He telephoned to Wilton place, and
was informed that he would probably
find Mr.. Earney at his club He rang
up the club and presently heard Os-
walds voice.
Sir Ralph Decides
TO Tell His Cousin.
81 want to see you this afternoon,
old chap, on urgent family business
said the baronet.
Family business!" Oswald's tone
sounded gruff. All right, I suppose |
must see you. Come around here when
you like l shall be here all the after
noon
Sir Ralph returned to the office in
time to see a short, bull-necked man,
clad in a gray frock coat ascending
the stairs to his office. He followed
him up and cannoned between him
and Erdsley. Having disposed of Mrs.
Sneedle with a substantial check, Sir
Ralph took up his hat and leaned over
Erdsley's desk. Give me that certifi-
cate" he answered. 81 may be able to
tackle Mrs. Melas this afternoon
Looking at him somewhat suspic-
lously, his partner handed him the doe
ument. With this in the pocket of his
tightly buttoned morning coat he was
driven to Blacks in ST Jamess street.
Oswald, looking very listless and