The Dolores star., 1920-09-24

anu J0ihCu LID hSdu " th0
front; Hilliard chuckled and contin-
ued his stroll.
He entered the Hotel Onondaga
from the east and headed across to.
ward the newsstand. Out of a red
ana gold chair In the spacious lobby
gentleman rose to meet him-a gen.
tieman who In appearance was a very
fair replica of the well-known Get
Rich-ouick Wallinsford, except that
he was somewhat more refined and
less obese. His animat tion was OBJ
vious. but he delayed to remove both
his gray suede gloves before he offered
to shake hands with Hilliard.
"Well" said Martin Harmon, ef-
fusively. you're looking great! Must
agree with you up here, what? Didn't
expect me. did your
No" Hilliard's expression was a
study; he had dealt SO long with Har.
mon at distance that he had almost
forgotten what the broker looked like.
why didn't you wire me you were
coming2
Didn't know It myself until pretty
near train-time-spur of the moment.
Well, got any business yet?"
Involuntarily, Hilllard smiled, and
the smile spread wonderfully, until
Harmon caught the contasion of 1t and
beamed more royalty than ever 1.-The
man you called the 'decoy duck'-re-
| member when you wrote that to me?-
well. he quacked yesterday
Harmon put his hand on Hiliard's
shoulder; 1t was an accolade.
"Really7 How much?"
Thirty" For the life of him Hi.
lard couldn't resist a slight forward
thrust of his chest.
Mr.. Harmon's eyes glazed for an in
stant.
"Good-good! That's clever work.
son! Clever and quick. But knew
you'd do 1t. Thirty! That's fine
Anybody else?
Hilliard laughed exultantly.
Yes, three more-a total of sixty.
two. I mailed you q draft yesterday
morning; the others are in my pocket
now. I've Just come from the bank"
"Great work, son!" Mr.. Harmon
breathed rapturously. "That puts US
"hCI G VIC pClOhs. SlAty"
two thousand! It's running start for
the big race! You certainly didn't get
left at the post, Hilliard! Deducted
your commissions YETI"
NO: thought you'd rather do the
bookkeeping In your own office and
send me a check"
Harmon's approval was manifest.
You show me the drafts and III
write you check this minute. Let,
60 sit down in the grill, and have
something. This is fine work. now I
want to tell you'll"
II rather thought SO myself" Hill
lizard had led the way to the grill and
commandeered side-table. I'm
fact" He lowered his voice. "In
fact. as things have worked out Mr..
Harmon, almost wish hadn't tried
to play 1t just this way. l mean"
But Harmon had already grasped
the point.
soho! Is that SO? You must have
made hit. And all your old friends
you were so het up about-weren't
they as peevish at you as you
thought?"
mo" HillIard grew warm. I'D give
good DEAL" he said soberly. "if
hadn't tangled myself up in all that
imitation history. Well. I'm in for it
now. I've published so much that
didn't need to-rm wondering how in
thunder l can ever get out Of it when
-the time comes. That was the idea,
you remember-coals of fire. What's
bothering me Is that there's nobody to
tend the furnace"
But thought you were so anxious
to keep In the shade?"
"Yes, but didn't need to crawl In a
hole. and pull 1t In after me! Well,
Wen walt and see. After I've gone
little further-and of course, you know
I've hardly scratched the surface
yet"
Il know you haven't" The big man
tucked his gloves into his breast pock-
ct and brought out silver cigarette
case. Have one?"