The Argosy, April 1912 — page 154: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

140 too glad if yvou’ve found anything valuable to you in this quarry.” “Tt will be valuable to you, too, Bar- rington. It’s stuff that will command an enormous price per ounce. There’s only a little of it here or anywhere, and it will cost something to extract it. We'll talk about it later. It is going to add consider- ably to your annual income, I can promise you that. Don’t talk anything more about it just now. You are upset and so am I.” “Poor Steiner!”? murmured Fred, as he turned away with his companions. He could not forget that Carl Steiner had been a trusted member of his father’s work- ing staff for many years. Even his treach- ery at the last could not alter the fact that he and the original head of the Barrington Company had been friends, as well as em- ployer and employed; throughout the period of a long generation. Fred found afterward that the deed es- tablishing his father’s right to the No. 1 quarry was on file at the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg. It merely referred to fifty acres of ground on Lookout Mountain and vicinity, containing nothing that would give a clue to the valu- able deposit of No. 1. Barrington Senior had stumbled over it accidentally one day when hunting. With his usual astuteness, he had said nothing, but had purchased it at a small price from a man who was only too willing to sell, knowing nothing of the importance of the gray clay in the flint-glass industry. Then Barrington had engaged Sim Galt to attend to it, and proceeded to make a fortune. Unfortunate speculations outside of his legitimate business had brought his family to comparative poverty when he died. “TI suppose that formula my father had sealed up would have told me something about the quarry,” thought Fred, as_ he turned over the musty records in the county clerk’s office in Greensburg. ‘I wonder whether I ever shall find it.” The Barrington Company are making No. 1 glass and have a larger trade than ever. Lucille Steiner inherited a goodly sum of money and considerable property through the death of her stepfather. But she is employed as confidential bookkeeper at the Barrington glass- house, notwith- standing her wealth. It is said that she will continue to be connected with the Bar- THE THE ARGOSY, rington concern indefinitely under a con- tract that will be ratified in Trinity Church, with a clergyman, white ribbon, and at least two wedding marches. Jim McKee is trying to persuade Ger- trude Barrington to make a double. cere- mony of it, but the young lady has not con- sented yet. Fred Barrington says she will, and brothers semetimes know what their sisters will do in such matters. A week after the explosion in the pit on Lookout Mountain there was a quiet crib- bage party in the private office of the Bar- rington Company. The players were Fred, Sim Galt, Lucille Steiner, and Willings. It was at the request of Sim Galt that they were playing. He said he had always been used to it in the time of the elder Barring- ton every time he came to Pittsburgh, and he hoped the son would allow the game to continue. Fred had yielded good-natured- ly, although he felt, as he always had, that the thing was decidedly unbusinesslike. ‘“ By the way, Willings,” remarked Fred, as the silent foreman was dealing in his usual ghostly fashion. “I don’t suppose you know anything about that sealed for- mula of No. 1, that my father always used to keep in a safe place, do you?” Willings looked closely at the five cards he had just dealt Lucille. “YT didn’t give you six, by mistake, did Miss Steiner?” he asked. ‘“No. I have only five.” “Oh, I beg your pardon. I thought an extra one slipped out of my hand,” said I ~ Willings. Then, turning toward Fred, he added: “Yes, Mr. Barrington, I have that formula. It’s in my desk at home.” Fred Barrington jumped up, overturning his chair in his hurry and agitation. ‘““Do you mean to say you have had that paper all the while—the thing I have turned this office upside down trying to find?” “Yes, Mr. Barrington, I have it. TPve always had it since your father told me to take care of it, because he said no one would think of it being in my house.” Fred leaned on the table and gasped, as he stared wild-eyed at his self-possessed foreman. At last he managed to stammer: “Then, why the deuce didn’t you tell me?” “You never asked me,” replied Willings, composedly, as he scanned his cards and threw one into the crib. END. COMiiclooo S