Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-11-03
Zelda Darneron-
By
MEREDITH NICHOLSON
cspy-sAa 1904. By Bobh.Alsrm Co
- - So
CHAPTER XIII Continued }
cepyTasAa. sSo4. b Ths Bobbs-AGs.rIn Co


He repeated the words, TT feeds OF
ITSELF" as though he found satisfaction
In them. He was quite willing now L
yield everything to zelda's hands. The
very way in which she asked question:
was a relief to him.
Mr.. Balcomb gave you a Thousand
dollars to bind bargain-is that what
you call it?-for the sale Of the creek
strip. | think l understand that But
are there debts-are there other things
that must be paid? And If we still
nave two houses we can get money for
them. We must face the whole matter
now-please keep nothing back"
I have told you everything. have
squandered your money in speculations
gambling is the name for 1t; but l
nave kept the farm and this house, un-
touched, Everything else has gone and
l nave given an option for the sale Of
that strip of ground on the creek And
l sold a block of lots belonging to you,
IN an Irregular way. l could not sell
properly without an order of court
that was required by your mothers
"llI' out my necessities were great,
ana Balcomb arranged an abstract to
SUIT himself-but let him do it. am
the guilty one; 1t is my crime"
Let us not use unpleasant words
us my birthday, Pm quite grown up
ana you must let me help-or find
help!"
Yes; but not Rodney; not your un-
Gle" he said hurriedly. He is vio-
lent very violent He would have no
mercy on me. And am an old man,
and broken, very badly broken"
shall have to tell Uncle Rodney:
out you need have no fear of him,
promise you that Mr.. Carr Is your
lawyer, isn't hep" she asked.
es; but he has been away. I took
advantage of his absence to do things |
ne would never have countenanced."
Ihere is Mr., Leighton"
NO, no, not that mani" She had |
tried to avoid any reference to the in
lervlew Of the night before, but the |
mention of Leighton's name brought
me whole wretched scene clearly be-
ore her again. 1t was he more than
ler uncle. that she relied on.
m sorry You feel toward him as
'ou do, father. I believe that we might
rust him. look upon him as a
riend."
Ezra Dameron was weak and the
ak was wearying him. He closed his
yes and rested him head on the back
I the chair, moving 1t from side to
lde restlessly. He was beaten and
e was not heroic In defeat. He was
tuhned by the failure Of his gambling
perations. He had lived SO entirely
dreams for year that 1t was diff
UT for him to realize the broad day-
ght OF workaday world. Echoes of
ne harsh things that had passed be-
ween him and the child of his own
Iood but few hours before still
aunted him. She had summoned the
pparition Of her dead mother and had
aled him liar; and he had insulted
er In the harshest terms he knew;
vi ne was now leaning upon her help
'ssly. He did not know, and he could l
OF understand, the motives that were
her. He had thrown away
er money, and she did not arraign /
i'm for 1t; she was even devisinE 7
eans Of covering up his ill-doings: !
nd the fact that one could overlook
nd pardon the loss of fortune was 1
tterly beyond his comprehension. r
Try to cheer up" she said. resting t
er hand on his shoulder for mo- y
ent. Don't talk TO anybody about Il
lsiness of any kind. I'm going down h
uncle's; and you needn't be afraid L
him, or of anybodv" /