The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1920-02-07
CHAPTER iii.
Hilary Talks Business.

Hilary AXIS JUSTICES.
Hilary was smoking on the porch
the next morning, formulating his
plans, when he heard the bell on the
side of the telephone box begin to
ring dangerously. Then Monsieur
Tremblay came out and made it clear
to Hilary that he was wanted.
1t was LATE COnnell calling.
"Say. Mr.. Askew," he said, I'm
'phoning you from my boarding place
They came back yesterday afternoon
the boat was late; maybe you didn t
know. They've been cross-questioning
me and Baptiste all the morning.
Brousseau's just left, and Morris has
ordered the stOrekeeper's rig to drive
over to you in an hours time"
Thanks, Connell," said Hilary. I'm
much obliged. I'm coming over"
He reached the office just in time
to see Morris emerge toward buggy
which was drawn up before the door.
Morris looked plainly disconnected to
see him.
He was an older man than Hilary
had expected to meet. He seemed well
on the shady side of fifty. He had
| elusive gray eyes, prominent Dut
ill-defined nose, and a heavy, thready
mustache. 1t was type Hilary knew
intimately: The crooked business go
between.
mr.. Morris, l think" he said, de-
scending and tieing the pony to the
hitching post in front of the building
Morris held out his hand, which Hill
airy took, with no great cordially. u
came back last night and heard you
were here, Mr.. Askew," he said. Il
was just coming over to see you
II heard you were here" said Hill
airy. II came to see you and talk
things over"
Morris, recognizing the situation, &C.
cepted it and turning back, pulled the
key out Of his pocket and opened the
office door. Hilary sat down at the
desk nearest the window, from which
he could see the endless line of logs
ascending the cogged chain that drew
! them into the mill fiume.
Morris took a box of cigars from his
desk drawer and offered it to Hilary
who declined Morris chose one and
biting off the end, lit it. Hilary could
see that his hand trembled little.
"Well, sir" he said, seating himself
''this is the last place in the world
where / should have expected to see
you. / have just heard from Mr.
Lamartine that you intended to pay a
visit to Quebec, but that letter was
| written some days ago. You didn't
see him?"
Two days before Hilary would have
jumped at the bait, would have shown
his resentment Of the lie, declared hos.
| tility, and given Norris his cue. Now
he only smiled pleasantly.
Eyes, / saw him." he answered. "He
| tried to dissuade me from coming uE
here, but 1 wanted to see the proper.
| ty."
'If you had let me know" said Nor
ris, 81 could have made arrangements
You have come in the slackest month
of the year There is very little to
| show you But / shall arrange to take
you all over the concession. | sup
pose you'll be staying long enough tC
do some fishing, Mr.. Askew? There
are some fine trout lakes few miles
to the north We might make a days
! trip of it,"
| His sentences were not continuous
There was considerable pause after
each. long enough to allow Hilary to
reply. If 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. Il have
come here to assume charge, Mr.. Nor
ris," he said. please let me see the
map and books"
Morris wiped his forehead with o
handkerchief which he took from his
desk. "That's-thats sudden deci
sion, Mr. Askew," he said trying tC
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
aggrievement, "but If you intend tt
take charge Immediately, in this i'm
pulsive way, that means that l must
step out. The concession is not pay
ing proposition, as you are probabl!
aware, but your uncle was satisfied
with my management"
Il have not expressed dissatisfac
ton yet" answered Hilary. PLEASE
| let me see"
"My suggestion" interrupted Nor
ris. ''is merely that you hold over YOU
| decision until we can go into the
books together. Frankly, if / were
| You | should try TO SELL 1t was my
advice to your uncle, but he was lit
tie obstinate about confessing to al
error in judgment, Mr.. Askew."
Before l see the books" said Hill
ary. 81 have a 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
airline. 81 certainly am he said
but"
another question. How do yo'
reconcile that with your duties as man
aper of my concessionW
"Now, my dear sir" protested Nor
ris. raising his finger, ''if that Is you
grievance it is an unjustifiable one