The Ordway new era., 1920-06-25
CHAPTER ii.-continued.

The younger man glanced at the
card. my name Is Hilliard. Well
Is competition so keen you can afford
to pay that high for business, or is
the stuff just hard to sell?'
Harmon. who had begun to nod as
sent to the first question, looked rather
blank at the second, but rallied
quickly.
Competition. But there's money in
It. and you'll get your share of 1t too
believe mel I've got n sneaking sus-
picIon that you and 1 can do business
together. Want to consider it,"
IAN this on such short acqua'nt-
ance? Aren't you taking fearful
chance?"
Harmon saw that the young mans
irlses were extremely luminous and
clear; he leaned forward seriously.
'Tm simply backing my hunch. son. In
the long run 1t pays me-pays me
well. I've sort of taken fancy to
you. AS far as I know you may be
the rottenest salesman In the whole
United States; / wouldn't hire your
experience without some references,
and maybe surety company back of
you; but I'd hire that face OF yours,
and your manner. and your voice on
hand I'd hire your front-not your
past And let me tell you right now.
son. I never made trade ms fast as
this before in my life. But there's
something about YOU that Well?"
The young man was thoughtful and
unblinking.
You're actually making me prop
ositlon are you?"
bsOlutely"-Harmon's fist on the
table provided the exclamation point.
"Here-I don't know you. and you
don't know me. but II you're hunting
for job you've found It, It's
your next move"
The young mans lips parted in
grave good humor: Harmon was spell
bound at the effect.
an try not to keep you waiting.
This speed of yours rather entIces me.
BESIDES. II my face Is my fortune. I'd
better find 1t out as soon as possible.
This organization OF yours is In New
York city isn't it,"
MY headquarters are, but I'd want
you to work outside. I've got one spe-
cial town In mind-up the state. That's
where this list is. It's always been
one of our hardest markets, and it's
got money to burn. Can't swing it.
somehow-they don't respond to any
ordinary selling talk; they're too hide
bound conservative. You know the
kind. Government-bond crowd. And
for a year or so they've been making
war profits till you can't see 'em for
dust. Manufacturing town. And I'd
like mighty well to ship you up there
for month or two; give you time
enough to get your bearings, and turn
you Loose. You ought to do great work
in pace like that They need chap
like you-confound lt!' He halted
abruptly and shook his head In great
bewIlderment. 81 can't make 1t out
nt ALI You've got the appearance of
IA well, sort of a strait-laced
younEter II you know what 1 mean,
and yet the way you say things. L"
The young man gestured blandly.
"And the town you have In mind?"
IT'S Syracuse, New York"
Syracuse - The young mans chin
was squared by ruler. and notlceably
thrust forward.
''Yes: know anybody there"
Elilliard laughed unpleasantly md
resumed his former attitude.
"Why. 1t so happens" he said, bit
Ing the words off sharply. "'that was
horn and brought up In Syracuse, and
II therr's any one place in the world
| care less about than any other place
that's the one I'm sorry, but
Tn afraid we're at cross purposes
from here on"
Harmon showed his vexation.
"What's the matter? Haven't you kept
on good terms with your old friends?"
mo
Harmon frowned.
swell. Is 1t so bad you couldn't do
any business there? How do they re-
member you?"
The Young man regarded him ston-
iiy for an instant; then gradually n
fnr-nwny expression crept into his
eyes; he started and caught his
breath
an let You judge for Yourself" He
brought out fiat leather wallet, from
which he extracted tiny photograph,
torn from an old passport. what do
you think OF that?"
Harmon scanned 1t specifically.
"Nice-looklng boy. Who is hep
at was taken two years ago" said
Hiiliard. resting his elbows on the
table "You wanted to know how they
remember me, SO I'm showing you.
ThntS photograph of me. taken two
years ago"
impossible Harmon snorted 1t.
THAT doesn't look any more like you