The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1896-08-29
THE MISTRESS
of the Mine.
or a Woman Intervenes.
bv Robert Barr Author of the Face and the flask.
of the Mine. ;.
Or a Woman InterveneS.

by Robert Barr, Author Of
were to pay only e 10000 for the prop
erty, it seemed hardly fair to initiate the
price to ten times that amount
''Not q bit of it, John" said Went
worth, who was practical man. III
the mine will pay good dividend on
that amount, then that is the right
price fbrit. Now, we haven't any time
to lose, so we must get to work. Fhe
first thing to do is to take these speci-
mems. of spar to some man who knows
all about china manufacture, and find
what demand there is for it in this
country, and at what price. That will
attend to. The next thing is. to get
some good man who understands all
about the formation of companies to
join US. You spoke about the mine to
young Longworth on board ship, and
his name would be great help to US in
the city. You go and see him, and in
terest him in the project if you can.
When these two tasks are accomplished,
we shall have made an excellent BEGIN
ming"
Wentworth was an energetic man.
who did not allow the grass to grow un-
der his feet. He speedily discovered that
. Mr.. Melville was manager and part
owner of one of the largest china es-
adjustments in the country, with
offices in London, and this man he
sought an interview with, taking with
him some of the specimens of spar.
II want to know" he said to Melville,
"if you use this material in the making
Of china. Is there much of market
for it, and at what price?"
Melville turned the specimen over and
over in his hand. examining itcriticaIly.s:
His great knowledge of his own busi-
ness enabled him to instantly recognize
the value of the material. but his face
showed no eagerness or enthusiasm.
When he spoke it was not to answer the
questions, but to ask some on his own
account.
where does this come from?'
"From mine in America"
us there much of it there?"
~ control a mountain of it,"
"Really. You are canvassing for or
ders, perhaps"
mo. intend to form company for
the working of that mine."
"What price are you asking for the
property? Is the mine in operation. or
is it merely projected?'
ut is In operation; that is. it is being
operated as a mica mine, but my part
ner. Kenyon, who is a mining engineer.
says this is moro valuable than the
mica. We are asking 100000 for the
NINE" a.:
THAT is very large sum- said Mel
vile, placing the specimen on the desk
before him. II doubt if you will get
it," :
"Well, we expect to get it. Kenyon is
at this moment with MIR. Longworth.
who spoke of joining us. Longworth's
objection was that the sum asked was
too SMALL" Il,
: "Old John Longworth is good man
to be associated with in a scheme of this
kind" @ ,s
Il am speaking of his nephew, Will
liam Lcngworth."
"Ah! that is not quite the same thing.
I know both uncle and nephew. Did
you wish me to take stock in the COM
pany?"
II should be delighted to have you do
60, but what called for was to find out
what you thought Of this specimen, and
to get an idea of the demand there was
for it, =. .-.t.... =
''Well, candidly. don't think much of
It. You see this kind of spar is one of
the most common things in nature."',:
but not in that state of purity, sure-
ly?" d
Perhaps not, but still pure enough
for our purposes. If you will leave this
specimen with me / will consult the
manager of our, works. l am merely
giving you my own impression; he will
be able to offer you q more definite
opinion If you will leave your address
with me will ask him to write to you.
That will be more satisfactory"
This was somewhat disappointing.
but Wentworth had to make the best OF
it, and the letter from the manager,
when it ultimately came. was even more
discomforting. The manager Of the
works asserted that the specimen SUBJ
mitted to him was of no commercial
value, so.far as,he was able to judge.
Meanwhile Kenyon had Jared no bet
ter with young Longworth. Long
worth had some difficulty in recollect-
ing that he had ever met Kenyon. on
shipboard or anywhere else, and he had
no remembrance of the mine at all.
He questioned John until he learned all
the engineer knew about the matter,
and then told his visitor abruptly that
the scheme did not commend itself to
him.
John Kenyon walked along Cheap
side feeling very much downhearted
over his rebuff with Longworth. The
pretended forgetfulness of the young
man, of course, he took at it's proper
value. He, nevertheless, felt very sorry
the interview had been sofutile, and i'm
stead Of going back to Wentworth and
telling him his experience he thought
it best to walk off a little of his disap-
pointment first. He was somewhat
startled when man accosted him and,
glancing up, he saw standing there
tall footman, arrayed in gray coat
that came down to his heels, :
II beg your pardon. sir" said the foot
man, "but Miss Longworth would like
to speak to you"
miss Longworth!" said Kenyon. in
surprise. Where is she2''