Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1910-06-03

would not go to live with her flthrr-
that Mrs. Forrest and Rodney Mer-
Ram would save her from that; but
Zelda was already domiciled in her
fathers house.
Mrs. Forrest led her brother to an
alcoVe of Mrs. Cars library, and sent
him to bring a cup of tea to her there.
She was afraid to wait for a better
opportunity; she must take advantage
of his first impression at once. He
brought what was offered at the buffet
in the dining-room, and gave her his
serious attention.
This isn't quite the place l should
have chosen for a reunion after three
years" he began. where was it I
saw you last? Geneva? l believe it
was. The girl is very handsome. I
suppose you found your house in good
order. And Zee went with you with
out any trouble. That's as it should
be-"
But, Rodney, she isn't with me,
She has gone to her father; she
4 wouldn't have it any other way"
"Oh! I'll fix that, I'll get her away
from him. Now that you've given her
to him., | suppose I'll have to take Il
hand" aid Merriam, with frank dis
! plSsio II oNS ~ SllC" IL az
quaintance with that blackguard. l
really suppose III have to call on him.
or I might meet him accidentally, in
| the street. or at the bank / might
make a study of his habits and then lie
in wait. 1 should like to give an acct
dental air to the meeting, to save my
self-respect as far as possible"
Il suppose l might give a reconcjlia-
ton dinner she said. I'VE might as
we'll go into it deep while we are about
it,"
Merriam shrugged his shoulders.
Don't push too fast. l don't remember
Ezra as a good dinner man
I'll take you home if you're ready"
said, Mrs. Forrest. when, after some
further talk, they returned to the
drawing-room. "Zelda's father is COM
ing for her." p
"Thanks; but I'm going to walk
down with Leighton. if I can find him."
It was nearly 6 o'clock, and a pro-
cession of women was coming down
the stairs to Mrs. Carr's front door,
as Rodney Merriam and Morris Leigh
! ton left the house with Mrs. Forrest
| and Zelda. The waiting carriages made
a long line in the street.
How gay it looks! The old town
really has a metropolitan air at last.
"A tea-with men ~present-it's almost
beyond belief"
The towns not SO bad. Julia; and
it's a nice comfortable place for ones
old age. You'd better get reconciled."
Mrs. Forests carriage had drawn
up to the curl and Leighton shut her
into 1t.
B sure to come to my house to-
morrow, Zee" she called to the girl.
Miss Dameron's c~arriage!"
A shabby vehicle emerged from the
line and came forward. Zelda and
Leighton were talking animatedly; and
Merriam watched the approaching
carriage with interest, standing back
from the curb. 1t was a box-like,
closed carriage of an old pattern.
drawn by one horse, with the driver
mounted OF q low seat in front. Leigh
| ton opened the doo
shall I say home?" Norris asked,
as the girl gathered up her skirts and
stepped in. 7@H 90. 'Nl - 40
"You needn't trouble yourself" said
the driver, sharply He was muffled in
a heavy coat. though the air was
warm. and as the carriage door closed.
he struck his horse with the reins and
drove rapidly away.
Sorry I made a mistake" said
Leighton to Merriam, as they turned
toward the city.
1T was her father" said, Merriam.
CHAPTER II.
The cost of living is high, very
high"
Yes. father: I know hat things
cost, of course"
II have lived on very little while you
were away, Zee. With servant It's
possible to keep down expenses. Ser
wants are ruinous. And I'm n rich,
Zee. like your Aunt Julia and Uncle
Rodney
II want to do just what you would
have me do. in everything. It was
kind and generous of you to let me
stay away so long. 1 know my ex-
penses abroad must haye been a great
tag on you.
Ezra Cameron looked quickly at his
daughter.
Yes. to be sure. Zee. to be sure.
Mariona is a simple place and your
sojourn abroad has hardly fitted you
for our homely ways. You'll lind that
things are done very differently here.
| But of course you will accommodate
yourself to the conditions. And you'll
find the house quite comfortable. It's
. little old-fashioned. but 1t vas our
n1ndfAther'S, and It rarely happens
J0nVndaYa that = gir1 lives In the Am0