The Ordway new era., 1920-09-17

If you're willing to take my advice.
why"
TIN sixty-three years DID," said the
Doctor calmly. "and I've made fool
of myself In every conceivable way but
one. That's in my own field;
| I'm a dlagnosticIan. I've watched you
very carefully. young man.
think perhaps you need as much ad-
vice as do. of different variety.
| So here II is-when yOu-want encour-
| agement. or a medical prescription. or
a good cigar and a chat. or quiet eve
ming with an old man and girl who
| plays the piano rather pleasantly, or
seventy-fve hundred dollars which
| you've already shown you won't let
me invest unwisely, come and see me.
| Now. LET'S drop business. Not another
word: I'm tired of IT. You're through
as an expert; let's get back to old
fashioned friendship. Speaking OF
coming TO see me-Carol's wondering
If you're trying to slight her. We've
seen very little of you lately? It's
week now, isn't TT"
|
When. sustained and soothed by that
peaceful hour. by the Doctors trust
in his integrity. and by the sedative Of
n long and untroubled stroll out over
the hills to eastward. Hilliard returned
to the hotel. the room clerk greeted
him with faint superciliousness.
Somebody's been keeping after you
on the telephone all morning." he said
loftlly. New York call. Couldn't To-
| cate you. And here's some kilograms
for you. :"
There were three of them; Mt sight
of the signature OF the first, billiards.
eyes narrowed
Arriving Syracuse 4:15. Please meet
me at train and stop all work in the
meantime. Imperative.
"HARMoN."
Hlluard's eyelids futtered; this was
evidently the initial result of Rufus
| Warnings efforts, and of those many
| letters he had written Harmon. He
| tore open the second envelope;
| the message was again from the broker
sent obviously from the Grand Cen
| tral terminal Just before train-time.
"Most important news received. Am
| Just leaving, having wired you meet
me at station 4 10. Find out who Bob
| Waring Is and what he wants. Do
all you can to stave of further In
quiry. Absolutely imperative not talk
to anyone until see you. Have con-
tract and all other data with you.
Shall have to leave on short notice.
"HARMON."
And the third was from Albany:
Locate Bob Waring II possible and
arrange meeting seven tonight. Ur-
gently imperative. "HARMON."
Hilliard folded the three sheets
methodlcally and put them in his
pocket. He glanced at his watch: It
showed quarter to four. He had no
dependence on Harmon. and no fear Of
him; he felt no obligation to Harmon.
no sense of duty. To be sure, he had
cynics curiosity to see what was in
the middle OF the whirlwind, but that
of itself wasn't strong enough to send
him to a rendezvous with man he
despised and loathed.
''If | CO." he said to himself, 'Tll be
sorry; and II don't go . why.
If I don't go. I'll always wonder If It
would have done any good"
For himself. there was nothing prom
Using in the situation. But on the
millionth chance that something of
benefit to his subscribers might come
out of ton the miliionth chance that
Harmon might be frightened or per-
suaded Into Compromise
So he went.
The very first passenger to reach
fh.. tIa tfa,., IUa ind hn
had been fretting in the vestibule for
half an hour, intent on saving use
less fraction of n second when the
train stopped. AT sight of Hilliard. he
beamed beneficently-all his earlier
belllgerence forgotten.
"Hello" he said. "Glnd to see you,
son. Got all my messages, did you?"
He shook hands with great urban
ity; Hilliards grasp was hardly re-
sponsive.
''I got three" said Hilllnrd. dignified
and noncommittal and he continued
to inspect his employer with ill-con
cealed disfavor and distrust.
swell, that's all sent. Now, where
can we go sit down and talk. for a
couple of hours? There's lot to go
over, but want to take the 9:40 West.
Not to the Onondaga-Fd rather go
somewhere quieter. How about the
Kirk?"
"Suits me all right If 1t does you"
ANY luggage?" They were crossing
the tracks to the waiting-room and
Hilliard, in spite of himself. couldn't
refrain from the solicitude which any
right-minded resident of city feels
for the transient just arrived.
"Only this Gladstone. I can check
| that here, guess. Well I'm certainly
| glad to see you. Say. were you able