Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1911-06-09

TIE OLD MAN LIGHTED CANDLE.
heSitatcd. 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 mao
been listening intently. trying TO rerol'
'rct something. The name or Burn'
ham puckcd string on the instru'
;nent of his memory. He knew he
nad heard it some place. some time IN
the past. but how or when or In re-
spect to what he could not make up
his mind 1t had required Sans ref
prence to gas and crude oil to close
the circuit. Then he remembered KEEL
logg had mentioned a man by the
name of Burnham who was ION the
track Of an important invention for
making gas from crude oil. This must
he the man Burnham. the tracker, and
poor old Graham must be the tracked.
Without warning Duncan ran round
md made himself an unlimited third
10 the conference.
Mr. Graham, one moment. he beg
ged excited us this patent Of yours
on Il process of making gas from crude
oil?" =
Rurnham looked up impatiently,
trowning at the interruption. but Ora
Gaun WAS all good humor.
"Why. yes" he started to explain;
its that burner over there that
But wouldn't sell ii just yet If
were YOU" said Nat. III may be
worth good deal
Nov. look herew Burnham got 10
his feet in anger. What business
have you got butting into this?" he
demanded. putting himself between
duncan and the inventor.
Me-" Duncan queried simply.
Only just because I'm a business
man. If you don't believe it ask Mr..
Graham"
He's got Il perfect right to advise
me. Mr. Burnhan," interposed Ora
ham. rising.
well. but-but what objection we
you got to his making Il little money
out of this PATENT" Burnham bus-
tered
None. only want TO look into tie
matter first. / think it might be-ah-
advisable"
What makes you think so?" de-
mandrd Burnham. his tone whitening.
We'll" said Nat. with an effort SUM-
moning his faculties TO cope with a
matter Of strict business Its this
way. I've got an idea" he said. pok-
ing ut Burnham with the foreIingcr
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 it. and it ought to be worth
lust as much to Mr.. Graham ns to
YOU"
i"Ah. you don't know what you're
talEing about"
Il know that" Nat admitted simply,
but | do happen to know you're pro-
noting scheme for making gas from
crude oil, and if Mr.. Graham will lis.
ten to ME you won't get his patent I'm,
til I've consulted my friend Henry
Kellogg"
kellogg"
"Yes. You know-of L. J. Bartlett &
Co" Mats forefinger continued to do
deadly work. Burnham backed away
from it as from fiery brand.
,"Oh, WELL" he said. dashed. 'if you're
representing Kellogg'-and Nat took
care not to refute the implication-"l
i don't want to Interfere. Only" he
pursued ut 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
asE him"
Rurnham gathered his wits together
for FINAL threat. THAT'S what I will
do" he threatened. And III do II
he minute | can see him. You can
t on that. Mr. What's your-namer
NO. can't" said Nat naively. "I'm
not allowed to gamble"
His ingenious expression exasperat-
ed Burnham The man lost control Of
his temper ut the same moment that
he acknowledged to himself his de-
feat In disgust he turned away.
"Oh. there's no use talking to YOU
"That's right" Nat agreed fairly.
But I'll see you again. Mr.. Ora
ham
Not alone, If | can help 1t, Mr..
Burnham." Duncan amended sweetly.
But" Burnham continued, severely
ignoring Nat and addressing himself
squarely to Graham, you take my tip
and don't do any business with this
fellow until you find out who he is"
He flung himself out of the shop with
barked Good dayw
well, Mr.. Graham?" Duncan turned
little apprehensively to the inventor