The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-11-03
By H. BEDFORD-JONES
Copyright by Doubleday. rAs. a Co.

Lucie seemed trifie bewildered.
"But-but, Henry!" she exclaimed
what do you think of selling the
lease to these other men?"
Gramont eyed the smoke from hi.
cigar refiectively. quite conscious thai
Mr.. Fell was regarding him very
steadily.
II 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. II you
were in my placer"
Gramont shrugged his shoulders.
"In tnat case" he said, slowly, 81
would gamble. We know oil is In that
ground; we know that 1t has been
found In large quantities at Houma or
near there. To my mind there is no
doubt whatever that under your land
lies part of the same oil field--and a
rich one. To sell ffteen-sixteenths Of
that oil for a hundred and fifty thou
sand Is to give 1t away. would sooner
take my chances on striking a twenty
thousand barrel gusher and having the
whole of it to myself. However, by
all means disregard my words; that is
not my affair.""
Lucie glanced at joachim Fell.
"You think 1t is the best thing to do !;
Henry does not" unused the girl. 81
know that you're both thinking of me-
of getting that money for me. Just
the same, Uncle Jachin, II won't be
prudentl III gamblel Besides" she
added with smiling naivete, I'm not a
bit willing to give up having a real oil
company the very minute 1t Is formed
SO wen outvote you, Uncle Jachin."
Despite their tension, the two men
smiled at her final words.
"That motion of mine has not yet
been made" said Fell. Her rejection
of his proposal had no effect upon his
shyly smooth manner. "Will you ex-
cuse us one moment, Lucie? If / may
speak with you in the outer office, Mr.
Gramont, | would like TO show you
some confidential matters which might
influence your decision In this regard"
Lucie nodded and leaned back in her
chair.
Gramont accompanied Fell to the
outer office, where Fell sent the ste
nographer to keep Lucie company.
When the door had closed and they
were alone. Fell took chair and mo-
toned Gramont to another. A cold
brusquerie was evident in his man
ner.
"Gramont," he said. briskly. 81 am
going to make that motion. and l want
you to vote with me against Lucie.
Unfortunately, | have only third of
the voting power. l might argue Lucie
into agreement, but she is a difficult
person to argue with. SO I mean that
you shall vote with me--and I'm going
to put my cards on the table before
you"
"Ahi" Gramont regarded him coolly.
your cards will have TO be powerful
persuadersI !"
They are" returned Jachin Fell. Il
have been carefully leading up TO this
point of selling. ] have
arranged the whole affair
propose to sell the mineral rights In
that land, largely on the strength of
the signed statement you gave me
few moments ago. That statement is
going to be given wide publicity, and |
It will be substantiated by other re-
ports on the oil seepage."
"You interest me strangely" Ora
mont leaned back in his chair. The
eyes of the two men met and held In
.old challenge, cold hostility. whats
your motive, Fell?'
"Ill tell you: it's the interest of
.ucie Ledanois" In the gaze Of Fell |
vas a strange earnestness. In those
,ale gray eyes was now light of fierce
sincerity which startled and warned
Sramont. Fell continued with a trace
# excitement in his tone.
1--WE known that girl all her life,
5ramont. and / love her as father.
loved her mother before her-iD O
lifferent way. / can tell you that at
his moment Lucie is poor. Her house
= mOTISdSeu. size uctS hOt kuONs III |
act, just how poor she really Is. OF
curse, she will accept no money from
ne in gift. But for her TO get a hun
Ired and fifty thousand in a business
leal will solve all her problems, set
Ter on her feet for lifel'
Il see" said Gramont with harsh
impulse. "Whai do sou get OUT OF III"
lie regretted the words instantly.
ell half rose from hts chair as though
0 answer them with blow. Gramont.
ware Of his mistake. FASTENED to re-
ract it.
Forgive me. Fell" he said. quickly.
That WAS an unjust insinuation. aud
know II. Yet, cant find myself IN
g-eenent with you. Pm firmly set In
he belief that fortune In oil viii be
lade Off that land Of Lucies. | sim
~ can't agree TO sell out for com
arative pittancc and I'll fight to per-
lade her against doing IL As lool;
t it, the thing would not be just to
er. I'm thinking. as you are. only
{ her interest"
A light of sardonic mockery gilt
red in the pale eyes Of Jachin Fell.