Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1910-09-09
Zelda Cameron:
MEREDITH NICHOLSON
c~v.ssh., 1904. - Ts BoLbsM.un Co.


guide. He turned It ovsr curiopsly and
then read. at the place where she had
opened:
They have told me to-day hat I am
going to die: but I have known 1t for
a long time. Do for her VIVA
you would have done for me-. Do not
let him kill the sweetness and gentle
ness in her. Keep her away from him
II you can: but do not let her know
what I have suffered from him. I have
arranged for him to care for the prop
erty I have to leave her, SO that she
may never feel that l did not trust
him. He will surely guard what be-
longs to her safely. Perhaps
l was unjust to him.; 1t may AVE been
my fault: but IL she can respect or love
him I wish it to be go"
You see there Is no question of ly-
Ing here. found this-in a trunk OF
mothers, in the garrst-quite acciden-
tally. q few days after / came home.
1t was intended for Uncle Rodney or
Aunt Julia and not for me-"
He was silent for a moment, staring
at the page before him and refusing 70
meet her eyes. She sat down and
watched him across the table. Sud
denly he laughed shrilly. and slapped
his hands together In Elee.
Il might have known it; 1 might
have known 1t! This is delightful;
this is rich beyond an~ything!" His
mirth Increased, and he rocked back
and forth. chuckling and beating his
knees with his hands.
Zee. Zee. my child" he began,
amiably. Il am glad this has happened.
I am glod that there is an opportunity
for me to right myself In your ayes. I
| nvtI mt Aro I-~ -
tef."
He began to nod his head as was
his way when pleased by the thought
OF something he was about to say.
Zee, the animus of this Is clear.
Your mother hated me-"
"You needn't tell me that! Her own
testimony Is enough. pitiful enough"
But the reason the reason! I
should never have told you. I have
hoped to keep 1t in my own bosom
my lifelong shame and grief. But your
mother. our mother played me a base
trick. he basest a woman can play.
She married me, loving another man.
And I suffered, how l suffered for it,"
He lifted his head and raised his
hands to heaven. A sob leaped in her
throat and tears spring in her eyes as
she rose and bent toward him over the
table. -@..5 sd s...
eff you mention her again I shall
punish you. Ezra Cameron"
He did not heed her, but began
speaking with a haste his tongue had
rarely known. The smile that forever
haunted his lips vanished.
she loved another man when she
| married me. 1 knew it we'll enough:
but I was glad to marry her on any
terms. She was a beautiful woman
a very beautiful woman" and the an
ger died suddenly from his eyes and
voice. Zelda wondered whether he
was really touched by the thought OF
| her mother or whether the little flame
Of passion had merely burned out. As
he continued speaking she listened, as
though he had been an actor imperson-
| ating a part. n doing it i'll, SO that
| he presented no Illusion to her eyes.
She was thinking. too, of her own fu-
| ture; of the morrow in which she must
| plan her life anew. She thought Of
| Morris Leighton now. and with an IN
tenseness that made her start when her
father spoke his name.
You ave been a better daughter to
| me than I could have asked. An in
| scrutable Providence has ordered
things strangely, but" and he
CIIuShASo aAAN "oooSN Aio LCdOt DuJ-
very wisely and satisfactorily. sup
| pose your Uncle Rodney thought a
marriage between you and his young
friend Leighton would be an admira-
BILE arrangement; but you have done
as I woul have o do In rejecting
him. All, I UNDERSTOOD was watch
ing you'll knew that you were lead
ing him on to destroy him."
II should like to know what right
you have to speak to me of such a
matter In such a tone. He Is 4 gen.
tleman." t.-ra
He Is; he is, indeed;'' and Damcr-
on laughed harshdly. He is a gentle
man beyond any doubt: but you re-
fused him, just as I knew you would.
The force of heredity is very strong.
You are g dutiful daughter; you sven
anticipated my wishes. Your conduct
Is exemplary. I am delighted"
II him you are mad" said Zelda,
looking at him wonderingly. She had
begun to feel the strain Of events Of
the few hours since she had gone to
her uncle's house; she was utterly
weary and her fathers TRANCE manner
had awakened q fear in her. Perhaps
he was really mad. She walked to-
ward the door; but he was timing his
climax with a shrewd cunning.
When your mother was engaged to
Norris Leighton, the eIder"-and he
paused, knowing that she had turned
quickly and was staring at him with
wonder and dread in her eyes-"when
your mother was engaged to this
young mans father he repeated.
your uncle was greatly pleased. But
she was not SO easily caught"
You ought to know hat I believe
nothing YOU say-not a word!' But
in her heart she felt a f~oreboding that
this might be true.
You should ask your uncle; or your
Aunt Julia. Possibly we three are the
only people that remember. I should
like to have you quite sure about It,
now that you have. decided not to mar
ry the son"-and he laughed with ugly
glee.
The front door-bell rang out harsh
iy. and the old man sprang up:
You are not at home; you must see
10 one"
,olly's step was heard in the back
.sl.
Never mind, Polly. Iul answer the
-" said Zelda. The. sight of any
her face than that of her father
s.ousd be a relief. but it was Q o'clock.
i an -FOUR at whieh no one ever called.
sae expected nothing more than a brief
parley with a messenger boy.
Pardon me-, Miss Dameron-"
Leighton stood on the step with his
| hat in his ha ND ua had boap xyo