Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1922-12-21
CHAPTER xII-continued.
ID

every well, then, the meeting is
called to order" joachim Fell smiled
as he raped on the desk before him.
SELECTION Of officers-no, wait The
Grst thing on hand is to give our COM
pany q name. Suggestions?"
81 was thinking of that last night,
said Lucie smiling a little. "Why not
call it the American Prince Oil COM
pany'?" And her eyes darted to Gra-
mont merrily.
Excellent exclaimed joachim Fell.
''My vote falls with yours, my dear
I'll fill in the blanks with that name.
Now to the election of officers"
81 nominate joachim Fell for presi-
dent" said Gramont quickly.
Seconded" exclaimed the girl,
gayIy, a little color in her pale cheeks
"Any other nominations? If not, 50
approved and ordered" ratified Fell,
Iaughingly. For the Office of treas
urer-"
''BIiss Lucie Ledanoisr' said Ora
mont. Move nominations be closed"
Seconded and carried by two
thirds vote Of stockholders, chirped
Fell in his toneless voice. $50 ap-
proved and ordered. For secretary"
"Our third stakeholder" put in Lu-
Gle. Hell have to be an officer, OF
courseI'
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
mock of joachim Fell, and he
remained grave. He went on to relate
how ne 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 I have a proposal of my
own to make said joachim Fell. He
appeared sobered, as though iniu-
enced by Gramont's manner AL
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.. Gramont?"
ENTIRELY So" assented Gramont.
'eThe chances are, of course, that We'll
find oil in both quality and quantity.
On the other hand, the seepage may be
ell there is. Oil is a gamble from
start to finish. Personally, however,
L would gamble heavily on this pros
pect."
Naturally" said Mr.. Fell. 'How-
ever, I have been talking over the oil
business with a number of men active
iy engaged In it in the Houma field.
think that l 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 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, I believe
this can be done, and I 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, 1 know? Let me offer you a
cigar, Mr. Gramont."
6 Gramont took one offered him, and
lighted it amid a startled silence.
Ee1Ts proposal came to him as dis
tlnct shock, and already he was view
ing it in the light Of prompt suspicion.
sTVhy," exclaimed Lucie, wild-eyed,
~that would be fifty thousand dollars
to each of us, and not a cent ex-
pendedI"
@In case 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
80 invest with US in a ney. company
60 exploit other fields, well and good.
One moment, my dear Do not pro-
test this suggestion. The sixteenth