Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-06-26
CHAPTER x.

CHAPTER K.
Three days later Hawkins walked into
Mr.. Hildreth's office with much the air
Of man going to have all his teeth
pulled. The older lawyer greeted him
cheerily enough, but to Hawkins ear
there was an Under note of triumph. In
truth, Hawkins had in the last two days
suffered moral shock that had left him
prey to emotional neuralgia What he
,nisread as elation was really but q sort
Of whistling to keep the courage up.
Mr.. Hildrcth knew well whose bust
ness alone could bring Hawkins to his
office and had got some hint of the syn
dicato's overtures. So it was plain to his
mind that Major Overton's antagonists
meant to force the fighting, with what
result he had no manner Of doubt. Well
as he loved Il legal battle, Mr.. Hildreth
had never been able to quito sink the
man in the lawyer Next to Major Over
ton himself he would feel the sting Of
the claims oversetting which, as he
had all along felt, only miracle could
prevent
After glum good day" Hawkins
dropped heavily into chair, put his
elbow on the table and said, affoctedly:
II tell you, you don't know what may
happen. II anybody had said to me Il
week ago things were going to turn out
thus and so, I'd "a told them to their
teeth they lied. / would-sure as / sit
here -
WHAT'S the matter? Syndicate busted
or gone back on you?" Mr. Hildreth ask
ed, with n sympathy that had the live
illness Of relief Hawkins snorted with
rage He was being Knocked as we'll as
See here" he growled, let q man
down easy, can't you? I couldn't feel
more cut up if the claim had been all
my own"
Mr. Hildreth looked puzzled.
Is this one of your jokes?" he asked.
"For the life Of mo l can't tell what you
are driving at.
Don't you really know"
"What?" --''s'
"On your honor, now, haven't you
heard?"
about what?"
"Why, this internal foolishness of Al
len Fauntleroy's
Whats the size of it?''
"Oh, nothing much! Only he gives up
the fight. viii let the case go by default
next time it comes up. just now, too,
when the thing means cool million in
hand and more to follow. All lost for
lack of u little bit of sand. "
Mr.. Hildreth gave a long whistle.
"The boy s no fool. He must be drunk
or crazy" he said, half to himself
Then to Hawkins: "Aro you sure? May
be he is only joking to brighten you.
wish could think so" Hawkins re-
torted ruefully, "but l can't. He put it
in black and white. read the letter
myself What's more, saw it dispatch
ed last night by special messenger to
Major Overton. That was why thought
you knew. made sure he would be
here before me this morning"
1--WE have seen nothing of him yet
Oh, say, Vance'-to his partner, who
was Just coming in--''here are the story
books outdone, the miracle come to pass
and Major Overton millionaire if he
chooses to be-"
Vance looked sharply at Hawkins. He
did not trust the man. After he had
heard the story he turned to the news
bearer, saying:
For such an effect there must be a
cause. Can you enlighten US as to that?"
Hawkins shifted his feet uneasily and
answered, with dropped eyes: "Oh, he
saw the old major and heard-well,
some things that have happened So the
notion takes him to play Don Quixote,
not fight any longer with an old man
and a-a-child.
''H-m-m," Vance said, setting his
lips close "'The child is pretty well
grown. I saw her only last month, and
handsomer, high stepping, up headed
young FLY you seldom cross Pity she
and Allen can't make a match of it,
That would be an ideal settlement of
this 50-year-old lawsuit. +"
Hawkins and Mr. Hildreth exchanged
looks Clearly Vance did not know all
that might be known regarding Over
tons claim. Finding the others silent,
he went on:
Good thing for you, Hawkins to
have it settled anyway. was talking
yesterday with one of those syndicate
fellows. From what he said, no matter
whom they buy from, your commission is
safe always thought you We're sharp
fellow. Now know you for the prince
of double action bargain makers. -
Hawkins smiled all over his face at
the eQuivocal compliment Yet in the
same breath he sighed
Zone way am safe, he said "Still if
Allen had held out-but never mind. As
you say, any settlement is better than
none. for no settlement no sale, and
thnt's the main thing with me. ] tell
you it's . chance that doesn't come to o
poos country lawyer moro than once in
ifetime''