Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1910-08-26
CHAPTER Xvu.-(Continued.)

49, f''''A 'NN''' '"F N'N 'NN' "'1
idea. of helping the situation on his
part, considered professionally or per-
soni..lly; but he justified himself On
the score of the old relationship be-
tween Carr and cameron. Carr was
out of reach; Leighton did not even
know his exact address at this time.
And there was old Rodney Merriam.
his best friend, and there was Zelda!
Cameron sat at his desk with a mass
OF papers before him as~Ieighton en-
tered. The old man wore a serious air,
to which the mass of papers contrib
uted. A puzzled look crossed his face
as he raised his eyes and regarded
Leighton dreamily. Then suddenly, as
though just recalling Leighton, he
smiled and rose from his chair.
my dear Mr.. Leighton, this is a rare
honor; l am delighted to see you, sir"
He had never greeted Leighton so
cordially before.
Pardon me Mr.. Dameron, I have
come on an impertlnent errand."
Il can't imagine it," said the old MAJ,
gractousfy.
But | do SO on the score Of your old
friendship with Mr.. Carr. He Is absent
or ] should have. referred the subject
OF my errand to him. You undoubtedly
have your own counsel-in Mr.. Carr's
absence"
Myself! have enjoyed Mr.. Cars
advice through so many years that /
reel 1 have a fair knowledge of the law.
we have both"-and he indicated Nor
ris by a gesture-"we have both en-
1oyed the instruction of an excellent
~preceptor." and he bowed over his
hands. We'll, sir!"
Il have just happened to learn of a
deed given by you to the Patoka Land
and Improvement Company for a block
OF lots lying south of town. OF course,
IL is a pure oversight, but you neglect
ed to get an order of court, approving
the sale. l thought I would mention it
TO you. 1t is a sale OF some import
ance. And now l am sure you will
pardon me-"
Morris turned toward the door, but
the old man rose M extended his
hand.
"Ah." he began, with a droll air Of
~coquetry. W have had the same pre-
ceptor! You have a capital eye, MI.
Lelghtort I quite admire it in you;
n l hank you. I am aware of the
provision you indicate. But I have pro-
vided for it. The judge is away from
home Just now and the gentlemen TO
whom / AVE sold were anxious to get
title withou delay. 1t doesn't look
quite regular. l admit. My duties as
trustee are nearly at an end. Only a
few days more of responsibility. We
Will make a new deed If necessary
but the purchaser will be protected. We
are all-all honorable men!
Very good. sir; I am sorry to have
disturbed you'-and Leighton went u
paiaeron's manner had been odd, the
old mar had frequently spoken to him
at home, but usually with cold formal
ity;; but his greeting moment before
had been with exuberant cordially.
Morris had never quite made Cameron
out, and he was not satisfied with an
explanation that the poorest lawyer at
the Mariona bar would reject instantly.
And the old man had deliberately lied
about h absence OF the judge of the
court. whom Norris had seen but a few
hours before.
The bubble that Ezra Dameran had
blown upon the air was near the end
Of its perilous voyag His dream Of
corn at q dollar a bushel-a dream
wrought OF the 1lmiest shadows-was
dispelled. The danger. oc5 q great de-
struction OF corn by mid-September
frosts had passed. A member of the
Chicago firm of brokers through whom
he had been trading, had called that
uAyp AhNAA6 pau a NlSII 10 V0dIlOIld
merely to see what manner Of man 1t
was who had cast money upon the
waters 30 ~prodigally. maintaining a
fantastic dream of values at the ex-
pense OF a small fortune.
Leighton's call a made Cameron
uneasy. He had s~auandered his own
property months before; and now lei
da's estate was largely dlssipated; and
he faced the necessity OF rendering an
account Of his Stewardship within a
few hours. uadovhssiity
knew something Of the transactions BY
which the real estate held by Ezra
Cameron. trustee. a been sold; and IL
Leighton knew. then Rodney Merriam,
who was ht home again, would I'M
doubtedly know at once. He must save
himself: . plan had formed in his mind
by which he could hide his duplicity
and put on for a year-perhaps forever
the fact that the greater part OF Eel
da's property was gone. But hrst he
must get into his WI hands the op-
ton he had given Balcomb for the
sale OF the creek strip. The sale had
hung fire unexpectedly; but he re1oicad
that this property had been saved UNI
til the last; he firmly believed that he
should ultimately bring back to the
empty treasury the money he had
thrown away; b while he waited he
must study more infinitely the condi-
tons ~thatscreated prices. In 4 short
while. all would be wen again; but he
must retain his hold upon what re-
manned or zeIdass property. Capital
would be necessary for his future op.
erafions. The creek strip must be
saved and held for q greater price than
the option carried. He sent at once for
Balcomb, who came IN looking q tribe
annoyed
81 wish ycu wouldn't sent for me Mt
the busiest hour OF my busiest day,
MI. Cameron. I suppose you want TO
know about the purchase OF the creek
strip. Well. we're o quite ready 70
close 1t to-day. That's a big scheme
and all our money Isn't paid In yet"
Then the option-I must have back
the option at once" And the old man
spoke in a peremptory tome that was in
marked contrast with the mildly In
sistent note he had of late been using.
Not at all, sir. That Is a thirty-day
option and has ten days longer to run
ITO be sure: but the trust expires to-
morrow: ] a no right to lind the
estate beyond my trusteeshfp. To-
morrow Is my daughters birthday. Ny
administration OF her affairs is ended.
l must trouble you to give me- the pa
per"
moi much. L WON'T We've been de-
layed for a few days; but you've got
to carry out the deal. That was part
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