The Washington herald., 1910-08-25
THE OIL KING

For the third time the prodigaI had
returned 10 the bosom Of his disguised
family-sueh as II was To be exact it
consisted solely OF his brother. his sister
in-law and her pretty friend who hap
pened to be be staying with them The
rest Of the family was scattered abroad.
establishing itself in ease and elegance
in various quarters of the globe.
Not so, Hal, the prodigaL With IN
blushing effrontery he turned up after
each adventure, smiling and penniless,
having vowed at his setting forth to re-
turn a millionaire or die.
And here he was for the third time Of
asking. shabbier than ever, and with the
same provoking smile on his cheerful
impudent face A handsome. debonair
rascal, one likely to take the heart Of
susceptible young person like Rosaleen
Hurst by storm. And Fanny Leigh fully
intended the pretty heiress for her own
brother, a most worthy person, who had
never given his family a moments anx-
iety since he was born
And what are you thinking Of doing.
Hal?' asked his sister-in-law some DAYS
after his return.
"oh, don't know" said Hal. care
lessly. Stroll down TO the city present
~ and see If I can find a job going that
will suit me"
Now, why couldn't you have discover
ed these oil fields in Central America o.
pursued Mrs. Leigh. as she SKINNED her
paper. They call him the Petrol King
already"
And who is he?" asked Hal
why this man Artrobus. who has
made such a sensational discovery Of oil
lately, and has just come over TO form
them into a company-so the papers say
Dear me, Har'-and Fanny looked quite
/ excited-"was't that where you were? p
HIN. yes; was knocking about in
that direction for bit" he assented.
And YOU did not meet this Mr.. An
trobus?" asked Rosaleen. curiousIy.
Il did he replied with a grimace.
Bad luck 10 him He wormed all the
information about the oil out Of me. then
hurried home 10 fix up the concession
and float the company. the )lackguard"
But why don't you go and tell folks
you found 'em frst?" asked Fanny.
Because I could not prove my asseA
ton. and without proof positive they
would not believe me-"
Il would. said Rosaleen. under her
breath.
Low as they were murmured. HaI
caught the words, and sent her such a
glance Of adoring gratitude shat her
blush deepened right 70 the tips Of her
little ears.
"Wha-what is he like, this Mr. An
trobus?" she stammered.
"Oh. the opposite TO me" replied Hal
with an amused smile
He would be" interrupted Fanny
with cutting emphasis.
Smart as you make EN-; that's how
he rushed in and claimed ahead OF me-
after pumping me dry. He's in town
you say. Fanny? Well, I may as well
look him Up, and see If he'll give me q
job. He ought TO; he owes 1t TO me, ]
think. He had all the luck. while -
You were lazy was Fanny's parting
shot
Days heightened into weeks. and still
Hal testingly admitted he belonged 10 the
great unemployed. But loves eyes are
keen. and beneath his assumed cheerful
ness Rosaleen detected in evergrowinp
anxiety. His face grew thin. and there
was a strained. worried expression in
his blue eyes foreign 70 their usual care
| free glance. She put it down TO lack o;
employment as he confessed that all he
had been able TO obtain from the "Petro
King" was vain promises.
Rossleen watched and wondered. Ha
avoided her. she was certain Had Fanny
been at him? She determined TO md out
why co they call YOU HALF" she asked
one evening. when he joined her in Fan
ny'S Overdecorated drawing-room. Your
name isn't Henry. is it,
NO" he answered. bending forward
20 stir the FIRE. But az school they
found my initials spelt it, so I've gone
by IT."
And your middle name is?'' she soft
ly suggested
The poker fell with a clatter. and her
question remained unanswered. He rose,
saving he had work TO do.
Mr. Leigh"-somethinE in her voice
arrested him as his hand was on the
handle-"Mr Leigh, why do you avoid
me so?''
Avoid you?" He moved into the room.
his thin face flushing. oh. surely you
are mistaken"
mo; I'm not! You do, and it has made
me very unhappy. Do you dislike me
so much?"
Dislike you'll" He broke OF. his
features working, his hands tightly
closed. Dislike you7"
Then his seif-cOntrOl gave way. ard he
came to her
Il did not mean TO speak; I have no
right, he said But 1 cannot help IT,