Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-08-25
CHAPTER XI.

CHAPTER XI.
Zelda saw much OF Morris during tho
winter. He went often to the old
house in Merriam street In spite of the
fact that he assured himself constant
ly that she did not interest him more
than other girls. She continued to de-
light in plaguing him, particularly be-
fore her uncle, who learned, however,
not to praise Morris to Zelda. Mrs.
Forrest pretended to be diligenr
chaperon, but Mariona social affairs did
not amuse her, and she went out very
! little. Frequently Merriam took Zelda
to the theater; now and then he con-
nived with Morris to the end that Olive
should be asked, and the four would so
afterward for supper at Merriam's
house. Zelda brought Olive more and
more into touch with her own life. She
knew no happier day than Christmas,
when Mrs. Forrest-not, however,
without urging-gave family dinner
to which Ezra Dameron, Olive and her
mother sat down at the same board,
with Rodney presiding. There were
times when Zeldas courage failed
when the shadow of her mothers un-
happiness fell darkly upon her; but
she made no sign to the world. So the
winter passed, and in the first bright
wistful days she went forth with Zan
to find the spring.
II have not heard you speak of your
aunt and uncle of late" said Ezra
Dameron to Zelda one day, after she
had been for an outing with Olive.
II saw Aunt Julia this afternoon. She
isn't we'll; she suffers great deal. She
has asked me to go away with her
again-she likes going about, and she
has planned to visit number of sum-
mer places"
IF you don't go. what will she do?''
and the old man looked at Zelda with
CLEAN of humor in his small gray
eyes.
well, 1 have asked her to come to
the farm"
Il am very glad you did. 1t woull
be a capital arrangement"
But she won't come. She does not
like that sort of thing. She likes to be
where there's something doing"
"Yes, yes; worldly woman; a very
worldly woman"-and Dameron wag-
ged his head as he buttered his roll.
He was silent for several minutes, and
when he spoke it was in tone Of
kindness.
"And so you are coming with me,
Zelda? 1 had hoped you would. l have
wished it so much that l have not
pressed you to commit yourself.
knew that your aunt would be likely
to offer something more attractive than
summer at The Beeches."
Yes, father; of course I shall go
with you. l have never had any other
intention"
you are very good to me, Zee. am
grateful to you for many things. An
old man is very poor company for a
young girl l had feared that you
might not be satisfied here. Your un-
Gle and aunt have never treated me
fairly. We have nothing in common.
l am glad to find that they have not
estranged you and me; the paternal
relation is a very beautiful one; very
beautiful"
Her father had spoken often during
the winter of the farm. Zelda's will
lingness to go there was great relief
to him; and when she suggested that
she should like to ask Olive to spend
the whole of her vacation with them
he made no objection, He knew that
she saw Olive frequently; Zee had ask
ed her cousin to the house for meals
several times since the Dramatic Club
episode, and her father had treated OIL
i've with his usual formal courtesy. The
main thing with Ezra Dameron was to
keep Zelda away from her aunt and !
uncle; and it fiattered his vanity that |
she remained with him so steadfastly |
and took apparently so filial an inter-
est in his happiness and comfort. Eel
da went to Olive at once with her in
vitation.
I'D be delighted, of course, Zee; but !
YOU mustn't make it hard for me to |
refuse. This is my busy summer; we
have to novel"
obi" said Zelda.
Were mortgaged that's the trouble |
with us; we're not only mortgaged, but |
we can't pay! So we hope to find an
other house somewhere and get out of |
the way"
Ito be continued)