Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-01-05

THE OLD MAN LIGHTED CANDLE
hesitated. with his ineradicable sense
Of fairness and square dealing. MAX
ing gas from crude oil ought to-
Duncan never heard the end Of that
speech. For some moments he had
been listening intently. trying to recol.
lect something. The name Of Burn
ham plucked a string on the instru-
ment Of his memory. He knew he
had heard 1t some place. some time In
the past. but how or when or in re-
spect to what be could not make u
bis mind 1t had required Sans ref
erence to- gas and crude oil to close
the circuit Then De remembered. Kel.
logg had mentioned q man BY tie
name Of ,Burnhan who was ION the
track or an important invention for
making gas from crude oil This muet
be the man Burnham. the tracker. an
poor old Graham must be the tracked
without warning Duncan ran round
aid made himself an unlimited third
to the conference. &,
"Mr. Graham. one momentv' he bek
ged. excited. IFS this patent Of yours
on a process Of making gas from crude
oilT'
Burnham looked up impatiently.
frowning at the interruption. but Ora.
ham was all good humor. y
why. yes" be started to explain;
ats that burner over there that
"But l wouldn't sell it Just yet 4
were you" said Nat ut may be
worth q good dear '-7'' -
Nov. look herer' Burnham got to
his feet in anger. What business
have you got butting into this?" he
demanded. putting himself between
Duncan and the inventor.
"MeY Duncan queried simply.
"Only Just because I'm a business
man. II you don't believe it ask Mr..
Graham"
Hes got a perfect right to advise
me. Mr.. Burnham." interposed Ora.
ham, rising.
"Well, but-but what objection we
you got to his making little money
out Of this patentY' Burnham blus.
tered. "
"None. only l want to look into the
matter first I think 1t might be-ah-
advisable"
what makes you think sor' de-
manded Burnham. his tone whitening.
WELL" said Nat, with an effort sum-
moning his faculties to cope with q
matter of strict business. tits this
way. I've got an idea" he said, pok.
ing at Burnham with the forefnger
which had proved SO effective with
Pete Willing. that you wouldn't offer
800 iron men for this burner unless
you expected to make something big
out of 1t. and 1t ought to be worth
Just as much to Mr.. Graham as t.
you"
"Ah. you don't know what you're
talking about"
II know that" Nat admitted simply,
''but do happen to know you're pro.
noting a scheme for making gas from
crude OIL, and II Mr.. Graham will lie.
ten to me you won't get his patent un.
til I've consulted my friend Henry
Kellogg"
Kellogg"
Eyes. You know-of L. J. Bartlett 4
Co." Mats foreflnger continued to dc
deadly work. Burnham backed away
from II a. from a aery brand.
"Oh. WELL" he said. dashed. III you're
representing Keliogg"-and Nat tool
care not to refute the implication-"l
II don't want to interfere. Only" be
pursued at random In his discontinue
II can't see why he sent you here"
I'D be ashamed to tell you" Nat re
turned with an open smile. Better
ask him"
Burnham gathered bis wits toRethe,
for final threat That's what will
do" he threatened. And III do Il
the minute l can see him. You car
bet on that. Mr. t's-your-uarne,
mo. can't" said Nat naively. FIN
not allowed 10 gamble
His ingenious expression exasperat
ed Burnham The man lost control OF
his temper at the same moment thai
he acknowledged TO himself his de
feat In disgust he turned away
+ "Oh. there's no use talking TO YOU
"That's right" MAI agreed fairly
"But I'll see you again. Mr. Ora
ham
Not alone. II ! can help IL. Mr.
Burnham." Duncan amended sweetly
But" Rurnham continued. severed,
ignoring Nat and addressing himself