The Connecticut labor press., 1920-01-03
CHAPTER III.
Hilary Talks Business.

Hilary Talks Business. Hilary was smoking on the porcl l the next morning, formulating hi
 plans, when he heard the bell on tn 1 side of the telephone box begin t
 ring dangerously. Then Monsieu
 Tremblay came out and made 1t clea
 to Hilary that he was wanted. It was Lafe Cornell calling. Say, MT. Askew," he said, "I'n 'phoning you from my boarding place
 They came back yesterday afternoon the boat was late; maybe you dfdn'
 know. They've been cross-questionin,
 me and Baptiste all, the morning
 Brousseau's just left. and Morris ha!
 ordered the storekeeper's rig to drive
 over to you in an hours time."
 Thanks, Connell," said Hilary. ''I'n 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 disconcerted te see him.
 He was on older man than Hilary had, expected te meet. He seemed vel on the shady side of fifty. He had elusive gray eyes, a prominent but ill-defined nose, and a heavy, thready mustache. It was type Hilary knew intimately: The crooked business go between.
 "Mr. Morris, I think," he said, de scending and tieinE the pony to the hitching post in front of the building
 Morris held out hi' hand, which Hil- ary took. with no great cordiality. q came back last night and heard you were here, Mir. Askew," he said. "l was just coming over to see you"
 "I heard you were here," said Hil- ary. "I came to see you and talk things over."
 Morris, recognizing the situation, ac- cepted it 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 Hume.
 Morris took a box of cigars from his desk drawer and offered 1t to Hilary, who declined. Morris chose one and, biting off the end, lit 1t. Hilary could see that his hand trembled a little.
 "Weli, sir" he said, seating himself, "this is the last place in the world where I should have expected to see you. have just heard from MT. 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 I wanted to see the proper ty."
 "If you had let me know" said Nor ris, 'I could have made arrangements. You have come in the slackest month of the year. There is very little to show you. But shall arrange to take you all over the concession. I sup pose you'll be staying long enough to do some fishing, MT. Askew? There are some fine trout lakes few miles to the north. We might make 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 inc, they aroused positive fear in hat of Morris.
 Hilary came to the point. ''I have 'ome here to assume charge, MT. Nor 'is," he said. Please let me see the nap and books"
 Morris wiped his forehead with which he took from his lesk. 'That's-that's a sudden deci- ion, MT. Askew,'' he said, trying to mile.
 My decisions are always sudden"
 Morris laid one finger upon the edge | if the desk. Of course I know noth- ng of your affairs or circumstances, 1r. Askew," he said, with a tone of | ggrievement, but if you intend to | ake charge Immediately, in this i'm ulSive way, that means that 1 must | tep out. The concession is not a pay ng proposition, as you are probably | ware, but your uncle was satisfied | with my management"
 II have not expressed dissatisfac- ion yet" answered Hilary. Please at me see"
 My suggestion" interrupted Nor is, lis merely that you hold over your ecision until we can go into the ooks together. Frankly, if I were ou I should try to sell. It was my dvice to your uncle, but he was a lit e obstinate about confessing to an rror in judgment, MT. Askew."
 Before I see the books" said Hil- ry, "I have a question to ask you. re you not associated with the Ste Larie company"
 Morris wiped his forehead again. Ie hated directness as much as Lam- rtine. "I certainly am," he said, put"
 Another question. How do you econcile that with your duties as man. ger of my cOncessiOn?'
 Now, my dear sir" protested Nor S. raising his finger. Eff that is your rievance it is an unjustifiable one. here is nothing in my duties here in )mpatible with my having other in ,rests I think you will find that 1 ave not neglected my obligations to our late uncle. AS for the Ste. Marie