Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1916-09-21
A SOFT WOMAN
BY BREVARD MAYS coNNoR
Copyright by the Frank A. Nun.
sey Co.

sooSNshSA
very dangerous, for the tips were al.
most to the bursting point
''It is hard task, Mr.. Askins, for
q woman" she murmured
Her employer frowned. His face
was ideal to portray frowns. The
thick, iron gray brows hung like low
ering storm clouds over his accusing
eyes, and the thick, purplish lips pro-
truded threateningly.
But Miss Milford was not affected.
He always frowned.
Are you afraid?" he thundered.
The tone was enough to frighten
any one, but Miss Milford was used
70 1t. He always thundered.
"Noo-not exactly frightened"
"Terms toe low?"
Her soft brown eyes were appeal.
ing.
"Oh, no, indeed. sir; they are quite
generous-quite."
Mr.. Askins wiped the frown away
with pudgy hand, and, after due con
sideration, consented to smile. The
frown was much more successful than
tho smile. Evidently it was more In
use.
IAN improvement on a stcnograph.
er's salary, l dare say"
1T is, sir" agreed Miss Milford,
with faint shadow of smile. ut
isn't exactly fright-rather uneasiness
after all you have told me of the
man."
"Huggins is all l have said he was,
and more, Miss Milford. He is an
atavism, primeval brute. with the
strength of bull and the cruelty of g.
fiend incarnate. l have no desire to
soften the situation. You must go into
this with your eyes open. You proba.
bly, realize that in any case an escaped
convict is poor travelling company, and
what want you to understand is that
Higgins is the poorest of the lot. Be-
fore he robbed the paymaster at Aber-
deem he had four murders to his cred
II, and he would hardly balk at a
firth"
A thick finger banged the table top
IN emphasis, but Miss Milford did not
quake. She was thinking Of money,
not murder.
II caution you again to be discreet"
continued Mr.. Askins. "Our agency
needs that reward, and II Scotland
Yard knew what we know there would
not be one chance in a million of our
ever seeing it. They are watching
Tynemouth and they are watching as.
We have to strike before Higgins
reaches the coast, and we can't use a
large force of men or those that arc
known to the police.''
"This Mr.. Dirk"
"Dirk is an assumed name-nick.
name, rather. Employing you was his
idea. Give me one soft woman,
said he, and l can catch any criminal
q; large He has well earned repu-
tation in the states, and l trust him
implicitly"
Miss Milford plucked at her thread
bare gray skirt. She hated gray but 1t
rarely showed dirt.
"Ald am to enter Huggins's apart.
ment, and"
Interest him, Miss Milford. You
have the looks to do it. Interest him
until he takes his eyes off the door,
and that will give Dirk his chance. Re-
member it will be the compartment In
front OF that from which the handker-
chief flies.'
'THow will I know Mr.. Dirk" ask.
ID Miss Milford.
Know him?" Askins glared at hel
and then. throwing back his head un
til the creases of fat under his chin
became taut, laughed thunderously.
"Ho-ho-ah. me-know himl You
will know him the minute you see him
and once you see him you will never
forget him"
ais he-so handsome?"
"As handsome as a Greek god,' all
swered her employer earnestly. Now
run along If you haven't changed your
mind. Your train leaves in n quarter
Of an hour. That leaves you two hours
In Melrose before the express is due.
You may pass that time as you like.
hut don't forget the train and remell-
Der the handkerchief"
"Yes, sir; thank you," replied Miss
Milford demurely. and. picking up her
shabby bag and faded umbrella she
slipped out the door. A laundering
below of laughter pursued her down
the stairs.
An echo OF that Gartentaun mirth
echoed in her ears for while; hut
not for long. for Mr.. Askins always
beloved when he tried to laugh. Tie
most 1t could have done was to ia
crease her uneasiness-it was NO.
fear.
The thought of the fifty pounds th,t
would be hers IL their plans went not
swry strengthened her beyond the
power of fears.
Fifty pounds was Miss Mitford's
idea of heaven. II meant 7ilk dress,
brown to match her eyes, shoes TO
match them both. and trip to Lon
don and Brighton when summe
brought vacation. II meant two week.