The Dolores star., 1920-06-11
By
ROUSSEAU
Illustrations 6y
Irpvin Mye~s

pose yuull be staying long enough I"
do some fishing Mr.. Askcwf There
nre some fine trout lakes n few miles
to the north. We might make days
trip OF It."
His sentences were not continuous.
There was considerable pause after
each, long enough to allow Hilary to
reply. II Hilary's silences had
aroused respect In the mind OF Lamar
tine, they aroused positive fear In
that of Morris
Hilary came to the point. 81 have
come here to assume charge, Mr.. Nor
ris." he said "Please let me see the
map md books"
Morris wiped his forehead with n
handkerchief which he took from his
desk. "Thnts-thats sudden deci-
sion. Mr. Askew," ne said, trying to
smile.
MY decisions are always sudden
Morris laid one finger upon the edge
OF the desk "Of course ] know moth
ing OF your affairs or circumstances.
Mr.. Askew," he said, with tone Of
nggrievement, but If you intend to
take charge immediately, In this i'm
puisive way, that means that I must
step out. The concession is not pay
ing proposition, as you are probably
aware, but your uncle was satisfied
with my management"
81 have not expressed dissatisfaC-
tion yet" answered Hilary. please
let me see"
My suggestion" interrupted Nor
ris, ais merely that you hold over your
decision until we can 70 into the
books together Frankly, If ! were
you ] should try to sell. II was my
advice TO your uncle, but ne was lit
tie obstinate about confessinE TO nn
error in judgment, MIR. Askew"
Before I see the books" said Hi
airy. 81 have question TO ask you.
Are you not associated with the Ste.
Marie company
Morris wiped his forehead again.
He hated directness as much as Lam
nrtine. 81 certainly am" he said,
"but-"
Another question. How do you
ager OF my concessionT
''Now. my dear STR" protested Nor
ris, raising his finger, 'if that Is your
grievance 1t is an unjustihable one.
There is nothing in my duties here in
compatible with my having other in
terests. ! think you viii find that /
have not neglected my obligations TO
/ lnta ACF Fnv ha ,-i.
\ company, the fact that Il is adjacent
makes IT easy for me TO devote Il little
| time to II, so far as ! can spare it
from my duty here. The two COM
! panies are not in conflict Mr.. Askew.
Quite the contrary. What helps one.
helps the other"
quite So" said Hilary. ~ don't dis
| pute that you have had Il right to en-
gage in other interests. But how about
/ their use Of our mill?"
AT sum, Mr.. Askew, which makes
! quite little showing on the credit side
Of our ledgers We can't afford TO
| throw money away, and our cuttings
are not large enough for the one to
| interfere with the other"
You mean the timber is bad"
Damn bad said Norris "Gummy
hr, Mr. ASkew. What little spruce
there is I've been holding TO make a
SHOW in case we decide to sell"
That sounds plausible" said Hi
ary; and then he shot his bolt. "Why
does the Ste. Marie company wish TO
purchase this gummy FIR Of ours?" he
asked.
Morris rose UP, trembling with anger
that was only half feigned.
Il see you have suspicious of nv
good faith, Mr.. AsiSew," he said indir-
nantly. THAT is the only possible in
terpretation can put upon your ques-
ton"
If you will answer it, we can inter
pret II together later
u am not prepared to answer II of
hand. Many companies would like IN
get our property The Ste Marie
company may or may not have that in
tention. i should no more think of
disclosing the Ste. Marie's pIans 10
you than ] should think of disciosjnp
your plans to the Ste. Marie"
h'AN' iht bpbks ana man of
the seigniory limits and leased tracts
Mr.. Morrisr asked Hilary.
IF you think my services are worth |
less have no desire to retain my DO
sition here"
Hilary rose, crossed to Morris desk
ana tapped the roll top az suppose |
you do not refuse to produce them7r
he asked
Morris took n key from his woist.
coat pocket with fingers that could |
hardiy md II. He inserted It after
TWO FAILURES, snapped back the lock.
hiHl 'nre" the top up, revealing the
books henped together, as If they had
Just been under examination "co
through them by all means, If vo,,
think you've been swindled," he cried
re hung another key on the desk
rms Is the key to the Office" he said
Inc other desk contains my private