St. Tammany farmer., 1922-10-07
The Mardi Gras
Mystery

as he raped on the desk before him.
Election of officers-no, wait! The
first thing on hand Is to give our COM
pany a name. Suggestions?"
II was thinking of that last night, -
said Lucie, smiling little "Why not
call 1t the American Prince Oil COM
pany'l" And her eyes darted to Gra-
mont merrily.
y, "Excellent''': exclaimed Jachin Fell.
"My vote falls with yours, my dear
I'll I'LL in the blanks with that name.
Now to the election of officers"
II nominate Jachtn Fell for presi-
dent" said Gramont, quickly
"Seconded!'' exclaimed the girl,
gayly, a little color in her pale cheeks.
"Any other nominations? If not, so
approved and ordered" ratified Fell,
laughingly. "For the Office. of treas
urer-"
'Miss Lucie Ledanois!" said Gra-
mont. SHOVE nominations be closed.r'
Seconded and carried by two
thirds vote of stockholders" chirped
Fell. in his toneless voice. $50 ap-
proved and ordered. For secretary =
"Our third stockholder," put in Lu-
Gle. Hell have to be an officer, Of
course !" / .s
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, mot carried away by the gay
mock-solemnlty of Jachin Fell, and he
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
neighborhood. He handed the option
to Fell, who laid it with the other
documents.
"And now have a proposal of my
own to Make" said Jachin Fell. He
appeared sobered, as though infu-
enced by Gramont's manner. "Al-
though we've actually found oil on the
place, there is no means Of telling
how much Well find when we drill,
or what quality 1t will be. Is that not
correct, Mr.. GramontT'
Entirely so," assented Gramont.
"The chances are, of course, that we'll
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,
| would gamble heavily on this pros
pee" ,5.f. i, 49, e..
Naturally" said Mr. Fell. "How-
ever, l have been talking over the oil
business with number. Of men active
" engaged in 1t in the Houma field.
think that may safely say that can
dispose Of the mineral rights to our
company's land, together with this
lease option secured yesterday on the
adjoining land, for SUM Approximat-
Ing one hundred and fifty thousand
dollars; reserving to our company
sixteenth interest In any oil located
on the property. Personally, I believe
this can be done, and I am willing to
undertake the negotiations IL SO en-
powered by vote Of our stockhold-
ers. Lucie, you do not mind IL we
smoke, I know1 Let me offer you a
cigar, Mr.. Gramont"
Gramont took one offered him, and
lighted it amid a startled silence.
FeA's proposal came to him as dis
tinct shock, and already he was view
ing 1t 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!" . H.,
I'm case 1t went through on that
basis" added Jachin Fell, his eyes on
Gram0nt, II would vote that the entire
sum. 60 to Miss Ledanois. Her land
alone is involved. II she then wishes
to invest with us In new company
to exploit other fields, well and good.
One moment, my dearl Do not pro-
test this suggestion. The sixteenth
interest reserved to. our company
would provide both Mr.. Gramont and
me with substantial reward for our
slight activity in the matter. Don't
forget that interest, for It might
amount to large figure"
Right assented Gramont. II
would second your. VOTE Mr., Fell; I
think the idea very Just and proper
that Miss Ledanois should receive the
entire amount"
Lucie seemed a trifle bewildered.
"But-but, Henry!'' she exclaimed.
What do you think of selling the
lease to these other men?'
Gramont eyed the smoke from his
cigar ref1ectively, quite conscious that
Mr.. Fell was regarding him very
Il can't answer for you, Lucie," he
said at last. II would not presume
10 advise"
Mr.. Fell looked slightly relieved.
Lucie, however, persisted.
"What would you do, then, If you
we're In my placer
Gramont shrugged his shoulders.
I'm that case" he said, slowly, II
would gamble. We know oil Is in that
we know that it has been
'ound In large quantities at Houma or |
'ear there. To my mind there is no
loubt whatever that under your land
les a part Of the same oil feld-and q
ich one. To sell flfteen-sixteenths of |
hat oil for hundred and fifty thou
and Is to give 1t away. I would sooner