The Ordway new era., 1920-08-13

'front.', Hifliard chuckled md confin-
ued his stroll.
He entered the Hotel Onondag ga
from the east and headed across to-
ward the newsstand. Out Of red
ard gold chair in the spacious lobby
a gentleman rose to meet hin-a gem
tieman who in appearance was very
fair replica of the well-known Get
Rich-Quick walllngford. except that
he was somewhat more refined and
vious. but he delayed to remove both
his gray suede gloves before he offered
to shake hands with Hilliard-
"Wellr' said Martin Harmon. ef-
fuslvely, you're looking greati Must
agree with you up here, what? Didn't
expect me. did your"
mol" billiards expression WIS n
study; he had dealt so long with Har-
mon ut distance that he had almost
forgotten what the broker looked like.
why didn't you wire me you were
comIng?"
Didn't know 1t myself until pretty
near train-time-spur of the moment.
Well, got any business yet7'
Involuntarily. Hilliard smiled, and
the smile spread wonderfully. until
Harmon caught the contagion of 1t and
beamed more royalty than ever. THE
man you called the .deeoy duck'-re-
member when you wrote that to me?-
well. he quacked yesterday"
Harmon put his hand on billiards
shoulder; 1t was an accolade.
"Really7 How muchT
Thirty" For the life OF him Hill
lizard couldn't resist a slight forward
thrust OF his chest.
Mr.. Harmon's eyes glazed for an in
stant.
"Good-goodi That's clever work.
sonl Clever and quick. But 1 knew
you'd do it. Thirty! That's fine!
Anybody else?"
Hilliard laughed exultantly.
"Yes, three more-a total of sixty.
two. I mailed you a 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
pretty nearly where we belong. Sixty
two thousand It's running start for
the big race. You certainly didn't get
left at the post, Hilliard. Deducted
your commissions yet?"
mo; 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 ri
write you a check this minute. Let's
go sit down In the grill. and have
something. This is fine work, now
want to tell youl"
II rather thought so myself" Hill
lard had led the way to the grill and
Communicated side-table. "In
fact" He lowered his voice. "In
fact, as things have worked out. Mr..
Harmon, l almost wish l hadn't tried
to play it just this way. I mean"
But Harmon had already grasped
the point.
"Oho, 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. "rd give
a good deal" he said sOberly. .'if ]
hadn't tangled myself up in all that
imitation history. Well. I'm In for 1t
now. I've published so much that
didn't need to-Im wondering how in
thunder I can ever get out of 1t 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 l thought you were so anxious
to keep In the shade?"
eyes. but | didn't need to crawl In
hole. and pull 1t in after me- Well,
we'll wait 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 pocl,-
ct and brought out a silver cigarette
case. Have one?"