The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1920-07-03

is 1t glued on1'
billiards voice shook uncontrolla-
bly,.
This this mine" he STAN
mered. You told me"
"Tll stand by everything I've ever
told you, Hilliard. I'll prove It. It's
an area of mineralized schist with dis
seminated copper values. And we've
got over a hundred acres of 1t. And
part Of the shaft, tool" He laughed
noiselessly. "Of course, altogether
there's about five hundred square
miles Of that same sort of land in the
same state, but what's the odds as
longs you're happy? Tell me you
aren't wise? Rot! Why. you knew
all about it when we were on the
boat!"
billiards. muscles were working in
hysterical jumps, and his face was dis
torted.
"Y-you y-youre saying
:. . y-youre saying I've been selling
s-selling to my friends piece
Of d-n worthless property? Are
your"
"Shut up!" The big man was domi-
nant, ugly. Understand me? You
keep your mouth shut If you know
what's good for you, Didn't you come
up here to get square with your
friendsT Your friends," His accent
was superlatively contemptuous. you
knew it wasn't a producing mine,
didn't your"
You told me it was wonderful
prospect! l knew it was a long shot
but | thought there was some value
there lot of it and
you said the shaft you always
said the shaft was"
Harmon reached for another ciga-
rette; there was undisguised perplex-
ity on his face.
''Son, if you aren't a mighty good
actor, you're are you going to
claim you didn't know what> this mine
Is? After all that whining and squeal-
ing Of yours about your getting even!
Then what in thunder did you want to
come back here fOr?''
ITO make some money-to get some
fun out Of 1t. I wanted to make fools
of people: / didn't want to swindle
anybody! l thought l was giving 'em
something for their money! L"
Harmon lighted his cigarette. none
too complacently.
"The funny part about It," he said
slowly, "is that l don't honestly be-
lieve you're bluffing. But you
knew 1t was only a prospect"
"But I thought it was a good pros
pect! Never mind" He made as
though to rise. you've said enough.
I'm through with you'll"
The big mans jaw thrust out bel
ligerently, and he caught Hilliard by
the arm.
Nov, stop right there! Sit down !
Sit down! Maybe you thought it was
good prospect and maybe you didn't,
but you're not through with me yet
not until say so. Don't you make
any mistakes like that, my boy. Don't
you go off alf-shot-not yet! Re-
member our contract? Ever heard Of
promoters liability? I'd certainly hate
to see you get into trouble. but If
you've made any wild statements
about material facts"
Hilliard was straining half across
the table.
"You told me the ore was there!
And l thought the worst that could
happen would be to tie up this money
for a few years-that's why pros
poets so hard to self knew darned
well it wasn't any whirlwind right
now, but I did think they'd e.
they'd at least make something good
out of 1t eventually {.
even IL 1t :"
"Ah!", said Harmon, sneering. 'but
you had every opportunity to learn the
facts-ev-e-ry opportunity. It's not
my fault If you went of half-cocked. /
don't know what you've represented to
your gang up here. I'm not RESPONSE
BILE. All I know is that you've collect
ed sixty-two thousand dollars, and
turned It over to me, and I'm to give
you stock for It. and pay you rebate
in cash. Maybe you call it commits
sion it's rebate! Read the
contract. Read 1t carefully, while
you're about it. Take 1t to lawyer:
don't care. Any lawyer you like. If
you've gone beyond the facts I'm
mighty sorry for you. but l don't see
how It affects me sny. Do your
Hilliard had slumped wretchedly
into his chair; his thoughts were run
ming aimlessly about the grim axis Of
his chicanery.
"And and after all I've
done !" he said thickly. "After all I've
said! Oh. my God" His chin sank
low. and his grip on the table relaxed.
Harmon was less at ease than he
pretended. "Well, IL you aren't bluff
ing" he said presently, "you sure are
the biggest baby For man's-sized man
ever saw. Brace up. there! YOU"
billiard pulled himself erect with a
final effort, and his fist gestured his
accusation.
"You know what I'm going to do
about 1t. don't your
"Yes." Harmon nodded, as he drew
the smoke deep into his lungs.
I'm going straight back to those
four men, and"
No" Harmon wagged his head
"No Won can't very well do that, either