Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1922-09-15

Fen in his fone1ess voice. $50 APP
nroved and ordered. For secretary
"Our third stakeholder" put in Lu-
Gle. Hell have to be an officer, Of
course !"
seconded and carried. SO approved
and ordered" Mr.. Fell raped on the
table. 1--WE will now have the report
of our expert %geologist in further de-
tail than yet given
Gramont told of finding the oil; he
was not carried away by the gay
m~ock-solemnity of Jachin Fell, and ne
remained grave. He went on to relate
how he had secured the lease option
upon the adjoining land, and suggest
ed that other such options be secured
at once upon other property in the
n~eiphborbood. He handed the option
to Fell. who laid it with the other
documents.
"And now l have a proposal OF my
own to make" said joachim Fell. he
appeared sobered, as though infiu-
enced bv Gramont's manner. cal
though we've actually found oil on the
place. there is no means of telling
how much Wen find when we drill.
or what quality it will be. Is that not
correct. Mr.. GramontT
ENTIRELY So" assented Gramont
1.-THE chances are, of course that
find oil in both quality and quantity.
On the other hand, the seepage may be
all there IS. Oil is a gamble from
start TO finish. Personally, however,
I would gamble heavily on this pros
pect."
Naturally" said Mr.. Fell. How
ever. l have been talking over the oil
business with a number of men active
ly engaged in 1t in the Houma field. i
think that l may safely say that l can
dispose of the mineral rights to u
company's land, together with this
lease option secured yesterday on the
adjoining land, for a sum approximate
ing one hundred and fifty thousand
dollars; reserving to our company a
sixteenth interest in any oil located
on the property. Personally, / believe
this can be done, and / am willing to
undertake the negotiations If so en-
powered by a vote of our stockhold-
ers. Lucie, you do not mind If we
smoke, / know? Let me offer you a
cigar, Mr.. Gramont."
Gramont took one offered him, and
lighted it amid a startled silence.
FeH's proposal came to him as a dis
tinct shock, and already he was view
ing it in the light of prompt suspicion.
"Why," exclaimed Lucie, wild-eyed.
that would be fifty thousand dollars
to each of US, and not a cent ex-
pended"
"In a S it went through on that
basis" added joachim Fell, his eyes on
Gramont, ~ would vote that the entire
sum go to Miss Ledanois. Her land
alone is involved. If she then wishes
to invest with us in a new company
to exploit other fields, well and good.
One moment, my dear! Do not pro-
test this suggestion. The sixteenth
interest reserved to u company
would provide both Mr.. Gramont and
me with a substantial reward for our
slight activity in the matter. Don't
forget that interest. for it might
amount to a large figure"
Right" assented Gramont. ~
would second your vote, Mr.. Fell 1
think the idea very just and proper
that Miss Ledanois should receive the
entire amount"
Lucie seemed a trif1e bewildered
"But-but. Henryr" she exclaimed.
what do you think of selling the
lease to these other menY"
Gramont eyed the smoke from his
cigar reflectively, quite conscious that
MI. Fell was regarding him very
steadily.
81 can't answer for you. Lucie," he
said at last. 81" would not presume
to advise"
Mr.. Fell looked slightly relieved.
Lucie, however, persisted
what would you do, then, if you
were in my placer"
Gramont shrugged his shoulders.
LII ludC case, lie Sdlu, SLOWLY, !
would gamble. We know oil is in that
ground; we know that it has been
found in large quantities at Houma OF
near there. To my mind there is nc
doubt whatever that under your land
lies a part of the same oil field-and q
rich one. To sell fifteen-sixteenths OF
that oil for a hundred and fifty thou.
sand is to give it away. l would sooner
take my chances IN striking a twenty
thousand barrel gusher and having the
whole of it to myself. However, by
all means disregard my words that 1!
not my affair"
Lucie glanced at Jachin Fell.
you think it is the best thing to do
Henry does not" unused the girl. 4"
know that you're both thinking of me-
Of getting that money for me. Jus
the same, Uncle joachim, Il won't b.
prudent! I'll gamble! Besides" sh'
added with smiling naivete, I'm not
bit willing to give up having a real OF
the very minute If is formed