The Beaver Herald (Beaver, Okla.), Vol. 33, No. 43, Ed. 1, Thursday, March 25, 1920 Page: 2 of 12
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THE jBEAVER HERALD HEAVER OKLAHOMA
-
WOODEN SPOIL
(Copyright 1010 by George
TWO ANQRY BLUE EYE8 AND FLUSHED CHEEKS
Synopsis. Hilary Aekew young- American cornea Into poimesulon of tho
timber and ollior rights on a considerable section ot wooded land In Queboo
tlio Homy seigniory. Lnmartltio lila unclo's lawyer tells him llio property I
of little vnluc. Ho vlsltd It and nnds Morris tlio innnager nwny Kroin Iifo
Connell mill foreman Aekow learnn liln undo linn been systematically robbed.
Ho nets troublo on all sides. Nevertheless lie refuses to sell out and decide
to manage bin property himself. Incidentally ho ciitctica sight of Belgneur
Ilosny'a beautiful daughter tlio center of a rascally plot.
CHAPTER II.
2
Lafe Connell Explains.
Aftrr breakfast tlio next morning
Hilary lilrcil Monsieur Tremblny'H
buggy nntl started out with Lnfe with
the Intention ot covering n portion of
tVo limits nnd Neelng the operations of
tlio Jobbers; Iio nlso inrnnt to keep
Ills eyes open as to tlio noturo of
tlio tlriiber.
Tlio buggy surmounted a Iilll nnd
nnothcr hill appeared In tlio distance.
Here nml there scattered along tlio
roadside were solitary cnblns with
little putciios of cultivated ground
about them.
"And on the right of tho rend Is tho
Ste. Mnrlo territory?" nsked llllnry.
"Yep Mr. Askew. Tho two runs
neck nnd neck bnck Into tht-tn moun-
tains. Wo turn on presently. Wo haven't
touched this district yet."
llllnry noted tho first-growth spruce
along tho hnnks "Why don't wo cut
this nnywny If the rest Is innlnly
fir?" ho nsked "There's enough lum-
ber hero to fill our dnm Instend of
tho Ste. Mnrlo company's logs."
Lnfo answered volubly but did not
meet Hilary's eyes
"You see Mr. Askew" he began to
explain "It's this wny. There's n
good deal of fir on our property nnd
what plno nnd spruce there Is Is small-
ish. Tlicro was n big flro over this
district fifteen years or so ngo. Now
Mr. Morris calculates tlint If wo go
slow for n while and give tho trees n
chonco to grow they'll bo worth twlco
ns much In n few years. Wo'ro de-
veloping tho property slowly Mr.
Askew" '
Hilary's hand fell on Lafo's shoul-
der. "Connell" ho said "I brought
-ou up liero with mo to learn tho truth
from you. You're going to sign on
again on October first nnd It's mo
you'ro going to sign with not Mr.
Morris Now tell mo tho facts. about
all tills."
X.hfo stammered and hung Ills head
llko n schoolboy caught In wrong-
doing. Hut Hilary's hand was grip-
ping his shoulder nnd nt last Lnfo
raised his head nnd looked straight
at Hilary.
"If I thought you'd stick here" ho
said "I guess I'd bnck you to tho lim-
it. Hut you'll never stand for St.
Boniface Mr. Askew. They're so In-
fernally slow here they nln't Eot hu-
man wnys sir. And they're crooked.
I thought when 1 heard you was com-
ing you'd lio llko Mr. Morris I mean
wlso to tho gn'"p but you nln't. I
guess most bust es Is- crooked every-
where but hero It's crooked nil
through. You'll be selling out to Mr.
llroussenu In n month's time and
that'll bo my finish."
"You'ro dead wrong Connell" nn-
swercd Hilary. "I llko tho looks of
this country nnd I'm hero to stay.
Now supposo you forget nbout Mr.
llroussenu for n while nnd consider
yourself to bo whnt you nre my paid
employee. And you can count on my
standing by you."
Ho held his hand nut. Tor n mo-
ment Lafo Council's keen gray eyes
met his searching Inquiry; then ho
took Hilary's hand nnd wrung It.
"I bellovo you mean whnt you say
Mr. Askew" ho returned. "And you
can reckon on mo so fur ns my duty
goes."
"I suppose Hint tnle nbout tho Ilos-
ny seigniory being nothing hut fir Is
n lie Council?" nsked Hilary pres-
ently ns tho pony ambled through a
valley overgrown with red pine.
".Mostly" snld I.nfe. "There Is n
deal of tlr but there's enough spruce
and pine to make tho concession pay
If Mr. Morris wanted It to."
"So Morris has been plnylngdoublo?"
I.nfo nodded. "You see Mr. Askew
It's this way" he said "When Morris
enme up here I believe ho meant to
run btrnlght. Hut he'd been n lumber
man In u small way up lit Ontario nnd
ho wnsn't wlso to tho gnmo ns It's
played here. Hero It's graft and It's
never been nothing else. So when
Morris found 'your undo didn't know
nothing about tho business nnd left
It In his hands he nnturnlly fell for
tho gnmo llroussenu was playing.
"llroussenu Is tho big man up here
nnd he'd had his eyo on the Ilnsuy
seigniory for a long time. Ho wanted
to buy but llosny was soro on him
and he closed the deal with your uncle
Instend. Hut afterward Hrousseim got
tlio mortgage on the Clintenu nnd tho
little bt of land round It to keep hold
on Itnxuy.
"Well the Itgsny seigniory Is tho
only piece of free-hold up this way. Be-
yond It's government land and all
round It's (.ovcrument land. Hrous-
"u started In to squtczo your undo
out. And Morris went with him. Ho
played double as you worn eaylmr.
Urjmv The point of tho wholo
n. Doran Co.)
rr-rtrtem.
XI
gnmo was to freeze out your uncle
nnd get tho property for n song.
That's how It stands. Hero wo turn
off Into Mr. Lebhtiic's lease."
"Who's hor
"Your chief Jobber." said I.nfo.
Tho buggy turned off through tho
forest along n new rond. Hero wns
somo splendid timber black nnd white
spruco and tnll white pine. Tho sound
of nxes liegnn to be nudlble nnd pres-
ently they reached n clearing In which
n number of framo shacks were under
construction. Superintending tho work
was n tnll rnthcr fair man of nbout
forty years' with a cast In ono eye;
and with him was n short thickset
mnn of grent muscular power Tho
two looked up ns tho buggy ap-
proached and tho short man scowled.
"This Is Mr. I.eblonc" said Lafe.
".Mr. Leblnnc this Is Mr. Askew the
owner."
Leblanc put out his hand limply but
Hilary nettled by his manner did not
take It.
"Mr. Leblanc Is clearing a camp for
his next year's lease" continued Lafe.
"Hut tho leaso Is not signed?" nsked
Hilary.
"It will bo signed In October" an-
swered Leblnnc. "I hnvo arrange
with Monsieur Morris."
"You'll mnko your arrangements
with mo In future" snld Hilary. "If
tho prlco Is satisfactory you can havo
this tract."
Leblanc stared at him Insolently
with Ids good eye tho other fixing n
tree on Hilary's right. "I work for
Mr. Morris. I make nrrnngo with him"
ho answered.
"Seo here Leblnnc you didn't cntch
who this gcntlemnn Is" said Lnfo.
"This Is Mr. .Askew tho nephew of
the loto Mr. Askew. Ho hos como Into
tho property. He's boss. You get me
don't you Leblonc?"
Leblnnc shrugged his shoulders.
"Oh yes I understand" ho nnswercd
and turning without another word
walked back toward the lumbermen
nceompnnled by the short man who
was chuckling maliciously nt Hllory's
discomfiture.
Hilary Hushed but Lnfo laid his
hnnd op his wrist closing tho fingers
nbout It with n vlsellko grip.
"Steady Mr. Askew. Don't let thoso
fellows get you riled" ho said. "If
you'ro coming Into this gnmo It menns
steady work. You'vo got to hold hack
and hotd back until you'vo got things
ready."
They re-entered tho buggy nnd turn-
ing tho horse drovo bnck.
Presently llllnry cooled down. "Who
was tho llttlo man?" ho asked.
"That's Plerro somethlng-or-othor.
Hlnck Pierre he's called. He's Hrous-
seou's chief crook. He's n trouble-
some mnn Mr. Hilary. He'll bear
watching."
"We'll tiro him first thing" said Hil-
ary. "Why. ho nln't hired by us" an-
swered Lafe.
"Then whnt In thunder Is he doing
on my concession talking to my chief
Jobber?"
"Well thero nln't no lnw against
It" said Lafe with n humorous look
on his fnce. "I guess them two nre
pretty thick together.
"You see Mn Askew It's this wny"
ho went on. "If you'ro going to clear
up thin mess It ain't n bit ot good
going for tho llttlo fellows. They're
tho tnll that llroussenu wags. Onee
you get Hroussenu's hand out of your
pie the others follow him. When
Plerro sees there nln't no moro pick-
ings out of the St. Honlfaco land he'll
go back to the smuggling business."
"Brandy-smuggling?"
"Why he's thu bad man of Ste. Ma-
rie. Ho runs cargoes ot gin nnd brandy
ashoro from the south const and
there's never been a revenue olllcer In
this district within humnn memory nor
would ono daro to show his fnco here.
Say I'll tnko you through Ste. Marie
on tho way back to tho mill!"
They had reached the main rond
ngnln; they went on n llttlo wny and
then turned westwnrd over n rough
track through n burned-over district
densely covered with ilrcweed nnd
whlto starved asters. Soon another
rig appeared before theip topping tho
hill. Lafe pulled In ns It approached.
"Honjonr Father Lucy" ho called
to the elderly priest who Eat Inside.
"This gentleman Is Mr. Askew tho new
owner ot tho llosny concession. He's
old Mr. Askew's nephew."
Tho euro looked Hilary over then
ho leaned forward and extended his
hand which Hilary grasped.
"I am please to meet you Mr. As-
kow" ho said. "I 'opo wo shall be-
come frleus like Mr Lnfo here tin' not
quarrel so mudi."
"Ah rather Lucy you make mo tired
sometimes" said Lafe. "What In thun-
der's tho use of praying for rnln when
tho forosU uro butfltutf instead of
mm
getting busy nnd putting out the tire?"
"Mr. Lafe thero Is many thing you
do not understand" snld the euro pat-
ting the Yankee on tho shoulder be-
nevolently. ".Mr. Lnfo is line fellow"
ho lidded to llllnry "hut he want to go
too quick nil the time."
It was evident to Hilary tlint tho
two were fast friends rather Luclcn
clucked to his pony took off his hut
with a nourish mid resinned his Jour-
ney. "Father Lucy's n good sort" mut-
tered Lafe "but he makes me tired
sometimes. Slow ns tho devil Mr.
Askew. And yet now I como to think
of It he does get results In his own
time. He ain't equal to cleaning uji
Sle. Marie though.''
After u pause ho added : "Some-
times I've thought that Father Lucy
hud something up his sleevo about Ste.
Mnrlo after all."
An hour's drive brought them within
sight ot tho village. Ste. Mnrle wns
utmost u repljcn of St. Honlfaco ex-
ternally wjtlt the same shucks clus-
teted about the brick olllces of the
company.
"Not much to seo now" said Lafe.
"Hut on pay night it's tierce. Mr. As-
kew. I guess this place Is n renl hell."
"Howdy Connell you mean?"
"I didn't mean tlint Mr. Askew. It's
that Cod knows; but whnt I meant by
hell was a plnco where everybody's
ii law to himself with nothing to re-
strain him. A place where everybody
iloes what ho wants to do. That's my
Idea of hell sir"
Tho road wound nlong the shore.
Presently St. Honlfnce came Into
sight. "I think I'll go Into tho olllce
Connell" said Hilary.
"I guess you'll havo to break It
open then.'i said Lafe. "Mr. Morris
took the keys with him."
"When's ho coming bnck?"
"We were expecting him on the boat
this afternoon."
Hllnry considered font moment. "I'll
wnlt till tomorrow then" ho suld.
"Hello Monsieur Hnptlstol"
Tho little scaler nnd timekeeper wns
hurrying toward the buggy. "Mon-
steurl" ho gnsped. "Monsieur Askew"
yesterday I did not know Who you
were. Excuse l"
"That's all right Baptlste" an-
swered llllnry. "Just remember tlint
I'm running things hero now that's
nil. And by tho wny that order about
trespassers and visitors Is nt nn end.
There's going to be nothing done hero
that wo'll lie afraid of people finding
out. Hot It?"
Jenn-Murltj llnptlslo evidently had
got It for he looked almost terrified.
He touched his hat nnd withdrew with
n sort of shunting bow.
"You certainly do lrnvo tho knack of
putting things across Mr. Askew" snld
Lufo admiringly. "I guess you'ro ready
to go bnck to tho liotell Walt." There's
old Dupont tho captnlii of tho lumber
schooner. I guess you'll want to meet
him?"
"I supposo so" snld Hllnry.
Dupont came townrd tho rig ec-
compniiled by tho timekeeper. Tho
captain wns a tall old man of about
sixty years with n gray benrd n
weather-beaten fnce nnd pnlo gray
eyes tlint seemed to burn with some
A Glance at Her Face Showed Him
That She Was Perfectly Aware Who
He Was.
consuming fire. His look as ho turned
It on Hilary was so searching nnd so
Inscrutable and so momentarily hos-
tile that Hllnry felt uncomfortable.
There was n history behind that pene-
trating stnro n history and a hate.
Hut ufter a moment's examination
of Hilary's faco a film seemed to como
over tho old innn's eyes. Whatever
tho reason for his strange gaze Du-
pont; wns satisfied. Ho stood by Lafe
ami Jean-Haptlsto translated.
"Tho cnptnln says tho schooner's
full" ho suld. "He wnnt to stnrt for
Quebec on tonight's tide."
"Tell him to spenk to Mr. Askew
here" answered Lafe. "Say that Mr.
Askew's In charge."
Tho timekeeper translated bnck Into
tho French. A smllo flickered upon
Dupont's faco. Ho shook his head and
answered.
Wwmm
2vAIS2rVmTIKfi5s5lsPC-
rtrr01b
"He says he's got to havo Mr. Mor-
ris' orders" said Huptlstc.
Lafo turned to Hilary who took up
the conversation. "Ask him If he
doesn't understand what I urn here
for" ho suggested.
Dupont was Impregnable In his po-
sition. He had lumber from both con-
cessions and Mr. Morris wns In charge
of hot'. What orders had been left
with reference to his freight?
Lnfo was pleased and surprised nt
tho way Hilary look It. Hut Hilary
hud learned n good deul during that
morning.
"That sounds reasonable" he said.
"Olve him Mr. Morris' orders. Connell
whatever they nre." And when the
mutter hud been settled he lidded:
"You were dend right. Connell. We've
got to settle with the big fellows first."
Ho dtopped I.nfo nt tho mill and
drove slowly homeward ncross the
bridge thinking html. Thero would
probably be no trouble with Leblanc
after he had shown that ho wus mas-
ter. And Lafe would bo a pillar ot
strength. llllnry had Instinctive fulth
In the slnw-spenklng Ynnkee.
"I must get little Huptlstc on our
side too" he said aloud ns the buggy
topped the hill beyond the bridge; and
then lit: become nwnro of Madeleine
llosny upon her horse nt the end of
tho branch road waiting for him to
pass.
Hilary felt uncertain nnd awkward.
Ought he to raise his hat to her? A
glance at her fnce showed him that
sho was perfectly nwnre who he wan.
It showed him n firm chin resolutely
set two angry blue eyes nnd flushed
checks whoso redness did not come
from hard riding.
He decided to bow. Hut before he
did so the buggy hod passed leaving
a path; and Mademoiselle Madeleine
her face averted started her horso
down the hill. Hilary Jerked the reins
angrily and the pony set oft nt a gal-
lop for Monsieur Tremblny's stables.
Hut before the final descent was
reached Hilary was laughing. Some-
how the girl's hostility seemed to'ndd
u Kent to the game.
"I don't know that l')l be so very
diplomatic with Brousseau 'lifter nil"
snld Hilary as ho drew rein at the
stable entrance.
CHAPTER III.
Hilary Talks Business.
Hilary was smoking on tlio porch
the next morning formulating his
plans when ho heard the bell on tho
side of tho telephone box begin to
ring clnngorously. Then Monsieur
Tremblny came out nnd mode It clear
to Hilary tlint he was wanted.
It wns Lnfo Council culling.
"Sny Mr. Askew" ho sold "I'm
'phoning you from my boarding plnce.
They camo bnck yesterday afternoon;
the boat wns Into; maybo you didn't
know. They've been cross-questioning
me nnd Hnptisto all the morning.
Hroussenu's Just left nnd Morris has
ordered tho storekeeper's rig to driven
over to you In nn hour's time."
"Thanks Connell" snld Hilary. 'Tui
much obliged. I'm coming over."
Ho reached tho olllce Just In time
to seo Morris emerge townrd a buggy
which was drawn up before the door.
Morris looked plainly disconcerted to
seo him.
Ho wns nn older mnn thnn Hllnry
had expected to meet. Ho seemed well
on tho shady sldo of fltjty. Ho had
elusive gray eyes n prominent but
111-dcflncd nose and a heavy thready
mustache. It was n typo Hilary knew
Intimately: Tho crooked business go-
between. "Mr. Morris I think" ho snld de-
scending nnd tlclng tho pony to jtho
hitching post In front ot the building.
Morris held out his hnnd which Hll-
nry took with no great cordiality. "I
came back last night and henrd you
wero here Mr. Askew" ho said. "I
was Just coming over to seo you."
"I heard you wero here" said Hil-
ary. "I came to see you and talk
things over."
Morris recognizing tho situation ac-
cepted It and turning back pulled the
key out of his pocket nnd opened the
nlllco door. Hllnry sat down nt tho
desk nearest tho window from which
ho could seo the endless lino of logs
ascending the cogged chnln that drew
them Into tho mill flume.
Morris took n box of cigars from his
desk drawer and offered It to Hllnry
who declined. Morris chose ono and
biting oft tho end lit It Hilary could
seo that his hand trembled n little.
"Well sir" ho said seating himself
"this Is tho last place In tho world
wherp I should havo expected to see
you. ' I havo Just heard from Mr.
Lnmnrtlno that you Intended to pay a
visit to Quebec but that letter was
written some days ago. You didn't
seo him?''
Two days beforo Hilary would have
Jumped nt tho bntt would have shown
his resentment of the He declared hos-
tility andglven Morris his cue. Now
ho only smllcd.plensantly.
"Yes I snw film" he nnswered "Ho
tried to dissuade me from coming up.
here but I wanted to see tho proper-
ty." "If you had let me know" said Mor-
ris "I could huvo made arrangements.
You huvo come lu tko slackest month
By
VICTOR
ROUSSEAU
Illustrations tty
Irwin Myers
of tho year. There Is very llttlo to
show you. Hut I shall nrrnngo to take
you all over the concession. I sup-
pose you'll be staying long enough to
do some fishing Mr. Askew? There
uro some fine trout lakes n few miles
to tho north. We might make a day's
trip of It."
His sentences were not continuous.
There was u considerable pause after
each long enough to allow Hilary to
reply. If Hilary's silences had
aroused respect In the mind of Lnmnr-
tlno they n routed positive fenr In
that of Morris.
Hilary came to the point. "I have
como here to assumo charge Mr. Mor-
ris" he said. "Please let mo see the
map and books."
Morris wiped his forehead with a
handkerchief which he took from hi
desk. "That's that's n sudden deci-
sion Mr. Askew" he said trying to
smile.
".My decisions nro always sudden."
Morris laid ono finger upon the edge
of tho desk. "Of course I know noth-
ing of your n fin Irs or circumstances
Mr. Askew" ho snld with n tone of
oggrlevement "but If you Intend to
take chnrga Immediately In this Im-
pulsive way that means tlint I must
step iut. The concession Is not a pay-
ing proposition as you nre probably
itvnrc but your uncle wns satisfied
with my management."
"I have not expressed dissatisfac-
tion yet" answered Hilary'- "Please
let mo sec "
"My suggestion" Interrupted Mor-
ris "is merely tlint you hold over your
decision until we can go Into the
books together. Frankly if I were
you I should try to sell. It was my
ndvlco to your uncle but ho was n llt
tlo obstlnnto nbout confessing to nn
error In Judgment Mr. Askew."
"Beforo I seo tho books" snld nil-
ary "I havo n question to nsk you
Are you not associated with tho Ste.
Mario compn'ny?"
Morrl3 wiped his forehead again.
Ho hated directness ns much na Lnm-
.nrtlne. "I certainly am" ho snld
"but"
"Anrither question. How do you
reeonclln that with your duties ns mar.-
ugcr of my concession?"
"Now my denr sir" protested Mor-
ris raising his finger i'lf that Is yout
grievance It Is an unjustifiable one.
Thero Is nothing in my duties here In-
compatible with my having other In
terests. I think you will find thnt I
huvo not neglected my obligations to
your late uncle. As for tho Ste. Marie
company tho fact that It Is adjacent
makes it easy for mo to devote n llttlo
time to It so far ns I can spare It
from my duty hero. The two com-
panies are not In conflict Mr. Askew.
Quito tho contrary. What helps one
helps tho other."
"Quito so" snld Hilary. "I don't dte
puto that you hnvo had a right to en'
gngo In Other Interests. But how about
their use of our mill?"
"At n sum Mr. Askew which makes
qulto n llttlo showing on tho credit sldo
of our ledgers. We can't afford to
throw money away and our cuttings
nre not largo enough for tho ono to
interfcro with tho other."
"You mean the timber Is bad."
"Damn bud" said Morris. "Gummy
fir Mr. Askew. What llttlo spruco
there Is I've been holding to make n
show In caso wo decido to sell."
JThot sounds plausible" said nil
ary; and then ho shot his bolt. "Why
does tho Ste. Marie company wish to
purchnso this gummy fir of ours?" he
dsked.
Morris roso up trembling with anger
that was only half feigned.
"I seo you have suspicions of my
good faith Mr. Askew" ho said Indig-
nantly. "That Is the only possible In
terpretation I can put upon your ques-
tion." "If you will answer It wo can Inter-
pret It together later."
"I nm not prepared to answer It off-
hand. Many companies would llko to
get our property. Tho Ste. Morlo
company may or may not have that In-
tention. I should no moro think of
disclosing tho Ste. Mnrie's plans to
you than I should think of disclosing
your plans to tho Ste. Marie."
"May I havo tho books nnd map of
the seigniory limits nnd leased tracts
Mr. Morris?" asked Hilary.
"If you think my services are worth-
less I havo no deslro to retain my po-
sition here"
Hllnry rose crossed to Morris' desk
and tapped tho roll top. "I supposo
you do not rcfuso to produce them?"
ho nsked.
Morris took a key from his waist-
coat pocket with lingers thnt could
hardly And It. Ho Inserted It after
two failures snapped back tho lock
and threw tho top up revealing the
books heaped together as if they had
Just been under examination "do
through them by n)l means if you
think you'vo been swindled" ho cried
lie filing nnother key on tho desk.
"This Is the key ro the ofllce" ho snld.
"The other desk contains my prlvnto
papers."
'Tho map Mr. Morris?"
"Tho seigniory Is bounded on tho
west by the Rocky river. It Is n
straight concession of elghty-flvo thou-
sand flvo hundred odd arncnts wjlu
three- sldM approximately bqo.nl. ML
you wnnt n map you'll havo to go to-
tho government. Mr. Lamartlno bas-
ilic legal documents."
"There must be a map" said Hilary;
quietly
"It Isn't drawn to scale. You'll dad
n rough plan of the leases among those
papers." Ho moved toward the door
laid his hand on the handle cleared'
his throat and looked back.
"I havo only to say that my yearly
contract expires on October first" no-
said. "If you wish to renew It X
shnll expect adequate notice."
Hilary looked up from tho books.
"You may regard It as terminating on-
October first then" ho nnswercd. "If
I wish to renew It I shnll let you
know when I have looked Into these."
This time Morris' anger was quite
unfeigned. You can accept my resig-
nation now" ho shouted. "Do you-
think I nm tho mnn to nccept dismissal
at tho hands -of n young American
greenhorn like Vou? Why I've thrown
nwuy thousands trying to develop this
rotten proposition of your uncle's out
of friendship for him I And what do
you think you'ro going to make out of
the concession? You can't spenk tha
Innguugc you can't get tiiong with the
people you know nothing of tho Cans-
dlnn lumber business. You'll be bank-
rupt Inside of six months nnd glad to
sell out for a song. That's all I have
to say to you" except that I'm resign-
mi k
mm
"And If You Say I'm Discharged I'll
Sue You for Libel In tho Quebeo.
Coiirts."
Ing and not discharged and if you say
I'm discharged I'll suo you for libel In
tho Quebec courts."
He opened the door but nitary
called to him. "One moment Mr. Mor
rls" ho snld.
Morris turned nnd looked nt hlra un
certainly. He wns ready to accept any
extension of tho olive branch.
"Take your cigars" said nilary
opening tho drawer and bringing out
tho box.
Mr. Morris turned purple snorted
then snatched up tho box nnd made
his exit. (
Apparently ho wished to convey the
Impression of n furious quarrel with
a less humiliating ending for Hilary
heard him shouting angrily outside.
Through the window ho saw Jcao
Hnptisto como running up to him.
Thero enmo later tho confused sound
of many voices in consultation. Hut
Hilary turned his nttentlon to tho
books.
The deficit for tho half-year haC
been eight thousand dollnrs. Thai
much Lamnrtlnc's papers had shown.
and Hilary could find no fault with the
statement. It wns of course. Impos-
sible to nrrlvo at any discovery with-
out oxperienco of tho practical work-
ing of tho concession nnd Hilary
quickly realized that llttlo wns to be
obtained by a prolonged scrutiny
Thero was however a considerable
expenditure for provisions nt tho Sto.
Mario company's store which ho as-
sumed to bo the storo on tho property
In view of an Item on tho credit sldo
for tho leaso of a building. There at
any rate. Morris' dishonesty was mani-
fest. Hilary closed tho books nt
would discharge no man for insolence
but ho felt that Morris was entitled to
no moro than his salary until October.
Having closed tho desk ho looked
about tho ofllce. A door led Into no
extension of tho two-story building.
Ho found thnt tho key to tho outer
door fitted this nnd opening it en
tercd a very comfortable llttlo living
room with a small kitchen nt tho
back. A stairway at tho back of tho
house built on tho outside evidently
led Into tho bedrooms. Ho decided to
tnko over Morris' quarters for his per-
sonal use.
Ho had Just returned Intn tlm nfflu
nnd put on his hat preparatory tot
leaving wnen mere camo a tnp at tha
door. Tho frightened faco of Jcan
sinrlo Hnptisto looked in.
"Monsieur Morris linn mkn.i
snld tho scaler.
"How's that?"
"Everybody is dlsrlinri-oit ...
body what works for tho St. Bonlfacej
company. Only the Ste. Marie men
stay. They are verv nnci-v. Tim ...
thoy could havo got work on the south
snoro ror winter .but now too late
maybe." i
"Go and tell thn tmn.ia nnn i.
discharged yet" answered Hilary
win i you get tt through your head
that I'm In chargo here?"
How an American
meets trouble half way.
iTOBECONTINUKU
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The Beaver Herald (Beaver, Okla.), Vol. 33, No. 43, Ed. 1, Thursday, March 25, 1920, newspaper, March 25, 1920; Beaver, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc69300/m1/2/: accessed April 24, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.