The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1922-11-02

Election OF OHlcerS-no, waltz The
first thing on hand IL to give our com
pany a name. Suggestionsr"
II vas thinking Of that last night
said Lucie, smiling a little. "Why not
call It the American Prince Oil com
pany'f" And her eyes darted to Ora
mont merrily.
Excellent |" exclaimed Jachin Fell.
my vote falls with yours, my dear
I'll fill In the blanks with that name.
Now TO the election Of oficerA"
II nominate joachim Fell for presi-
dent" said Gramont, quickly.
Seconded" exclaimed the girl,
gayly, a little color in her pale cheeks.
ANY other nominationsf II not, 80
approved and ordered" ratified Fell,
laughingly. -For the office Of treas
urer-"
Miss Lucie Ledanols!" said Ora
mont. Move nominations be closed"
Seconded and carried by a two
thirds vote of stockholders" chirped
Fell in his ~toneless voice. $50 ap-
proved and ordered. For secretary"
"Our third stakeholder" put in Luz
Gle. Hell have to be an officer, of
course I"
Seconded and carried. So approved
and ordered" Mr.. Fell raped on the
table. "We will now have the report
Of our expert geologist In further de-
tail than yet given"
Gramont told of finding the Oil ne
was not carried away by the gay
mock-solemnity Of Jachin Fell, and he
remained grave. He yer 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 I have a proposal Of my
own to make" said Jachin Fell. He
appeared sobered, as though influ-
enced by Gramont's manner. al
though we've actually found oil on the
place, there Is no means Of telling
how much we'll find when we drill,
VI WHut quuilly a. Will Uc. IL tlu uOt
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 q gamble from
start to finish. Personally, however,
I would gamble heavily on this pros
pect."
Naturally" said Mr.. Fell. "How-
ever, | have been talking over the oil
business with a number Of men active
ly engaged In It In the Houma field. I
think that may safely say that l 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 II so en-
powered by a vote Of our stockhold-
ers. Lucie, you do not mind II we
smoke, l known Let me offer you q
cigar, Mr.. Gramont."
Gramont took one offered him, and
lighted 1t amid a startled silence.
Feh's proposal came to him as a 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 CEN ex-
pendedw
I'm case II went through on that
basis" added joachim Fell, his eyes on
Gramont, II would vote that the entire
sum go to Miss Ledanois. Her land
alone Is involved. II she then wishes
to invest with us In a new company
to exploit other fields, we'll and good.
One moment, my deari Do not pro-
test this suggestion. The sixteenth
Interest reserved to our company
would provide both Mr.. Gramont and
mt 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. II
would second your vote, Mr.. Fell; I
think the idea very just and proper
that Miss Lednnois should receive the
entire amount"
Lucie seemed a trifie bewildered.
"But-but, Henry she exclaimed.
What do you think Of selling the
lease to these other menT"
Gramont eyed the smoke from his
cigar rehectively. quite conscious that
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
Lucle, however, persisted.
What would you do, then, II you
were In my placer"
Gramont shrugged his shoulders.
"In that case" he said, slowly. 81
would gamble. We know oil Is In thai
ground; We know that 1t has beer
found In large quantities at Houma o.
near there. To my mind there Is NJ
doubt whatever that under your lant
lies a part Of the same oil field-and {
rich one. To sell ffteen-sixteenths o.