The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1920-02-13
CHAPTER III.
Hilary Talks Business.

Hilary Talks Business.
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
Tre,nblay came out ard made it clear
to Hilary that he was wanted.
1t was Lafe 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 but
ill-defined nose. and a heavy. thready
mustache. 1t was type Hilary knew
intimately: The crooked business go
| between.
"Mr. Morris, / 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. Il
came back last night and heard you
were here. Mr.. Askew." he said. II
was just coming over to see you"
II heard you were here" said Hill
| ary. II came to see you and talk
things over"
Morris, recognizing the situation. &C
copied 1t 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 flume.
Morris took box of cigars from his
desk drawer and offered it to Hilary.
who declined. Morris chose one and.
biting off the end. lit 1t. Hilary could
see that his hand trembled little.
"Well, sir" he said, seating himself.
this is the last place in the world
where 1 should have expected to see
you. 1 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 Morris his cue. Now
he only smiled pleasantly.
Yes, / saw him." he answered. "He
tried TO dissuade me from coming up
here, but l wanted to see the proper
ty."
IF you had let me know" said Nor
ris, II could have made arrangements.
You have come in the slackest month
of the year. There is very little to
show you. But l shall arrange to take
you all over the concession. sup
pose you'll be staying long enough to
do some fishing. Mr.. Askew? There
are some fine trout lakes a few miles
to the north. We might make a days
trip of it,"
His sentences were not continuous.
| There was a 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. 81 have
come here to assume charge, Mr.. Nor
ris," he said. please let me see the
map and books"
Morris wiped his forehead with a
handkerchief which he took from his
desk "That's-that's sudden deci-
sion, Mr. Askew," he said, trying to
| smile.
My decisions are always sudden"
Norris laid one finger upon the edge
of the desk "Of course / know moth
ing of your affairs or circumstances
Mr. Askew," he said, with a tone OF
| sggrievement, "but if you intend to
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 probably
| 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, lis merely that you hold over your
decision until we can go into the
books together. Frankly. if I were
you 1 should try to sell. 1t was my
advice to your uncle, but he was a lit
tie obstinate about confessing TO an
error in judgment, Mr.. Askew.'
Before I see the books" said Hill
airy. II have question to ask you.
! Are you not associated with the Ste
Marie companyT
Morris wiped his forehead again
He hated directness as much as Lam.
nrtine. II certainly am" he said,
but"
! another question. How do you
reconcile that with your duties as man
ager of my concession :"
Now, my dear sir" protested Nor
ris, raising his finger. IF that is your
grievance 1t Is an unjustifiable one
There Is nothing In my duties here In.
compatible with my having other in
i terests- I think you win lind that
i have not neglected my obligations t.
i your late uncle. A. Tor The Ste. Marie