Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-09-15

They're there, all right" announces
Balcomb.
IF you yell at them again, they'll
undoubtedly bolt" said leighton. who's
thoughts since they had left the ca
had been far away from Balcomb
babble
IF you're not afraid of the June
/ bugs, weql stay here" said Zelda. wher
she and Olive had shaken hands witt
the men.
There's nothing better; it's the cen.
ter Of the universe right here,'' Bal.
comb declared. It brought some poi,
son for the June bugs with me. will
place 1t on yonder rail- lest we forget
lest we forget"
This was Balcomb's happy idea Of
minimizing the value of his gift He
was relieved to find that Pollock was
not there, and as 1t was past the usua
calling hour In the latitude and longi-
tude Of Mariona, the army officer was
not likely to appear. Ever since the
unpleasant incident on the stairway al
the Athenaeum building. Balcomb. had
| been In the undignihed attitude OF
| lodging Captain Pollock, though he
had said during Pollocks absence
from town, exceedingly cruel things
about the officer.
Mr.. Dameron came out and shook
hands with the young men, address
ing few words to each. Balcomb had
called upon him repeatedly in reference
to the purchase of the tract of land
on the creek. but without encourage
ment. Cameron had just been wonder
ing how he could communicate with the
promoter without seeking him directly,
and this call gave him an opportunity.
BY the way, Mr.. Balcomb," said the
old man. pleasantly, some time when
you are passing I'd be glad if you'd
call at my office. There's a matter f
mutual interest that I'd like to speak
to you about. A beautiful night, gen.
tlemen. Very much cooler here than in
the city, as you may have noticed"
And he went down the steps and out
upon the highway for his usual even
ing walk,
"A remarkable man, your father,
Miss Dameron He's quite the ideal
business man of the old school," said
Balcomb. I'VE youngsters are quicker
on the trigger, but our aim isn't 80
sure. No, stree; your father is an ideal
business man"
He had spoken impressively. He
would, In his own language, make
himself solid" when he had a chance.
Leighton was talking to Olive, and
Balcomb set about entertaining Zelda.
He ran on monotonously. He was anx-
ious to make an impression at once
without relinquishing the floor.
Il suppose you and Miss Merriam
do a lot of reading out here What
are the books one ought to talk about ?"
I'VE don't read much-except the
cook books" replied Zelda
Hal ha! That is rich-from the
great Miss Dameron, too. like that!
1 suppose as matter of fact you real
ly spend your morning with the clas-
sizes"
I'm sorry to disappoint you, but our
mornings are spent with cook books
My cousin is writing a cook book and
we're reading all the old ones to ba
sure hers Is all new. It's delightfully."-
exciting"
Wouldn't that jar one? say, l
want to speak right now for an auto
graph copy of the first edition of that
book"
"Olive will be delighted" said Eel
da. It's designed you know, for the
very young"
"There it goes again. Everybody Has
it in for me! Oh, well! My time will
-come!"
1t came in an unexpected way. Cap
tain Pollock was riding up the drive-
way. He was on very good terms 1T
The Beeches, and had been told that
while there were lights there was
hope of finding some one at home
Here comes another messenger
bearing tidings," said BaIcomb,. In his
most cheerful note. Il hope it isn't
bad news"
NO; it's Captain Pollock. That
horse of his is a beauty. isn't 1t? I
wish he would trade with me-" an
swered Zelda.
Leighton groaned inwardly at the
sight of Pollock. whom he liked well
enough ordinarily. He did not under
stand the reason for Balcomb's hur-
ried flight, so that the humor of the
situation did not strike him.
You may have Mr.. Balcomb's seat
there by the railing, If you like" said
Zelda to Pollock.
You do me too much honor" said
the officer, as he shook hands with
Leighton
"Oh, l don't Bnow!" and olives imi-
tation of Balcomb's intonation was 50
true to life that they all laughed.
Il don't see why any one should
laugh" said Zelda.
Tn sure I don't" declared Pollock.
He put back his arm against the rail-
ing, knocking down the box of candy
that Balcomb had left behind him.
"Ah, I beg everybody's pardonl"
Mr.. Balcomb's feelings might be
hurt If he came back" suggested Eel
da
He won't come back; I'll wager an
other box he won't" replied the off,
ever. blandly, as he fumbled with the
string. Miss Dameron. permit me
I'm sure they're delicious. Chocolates,
| fancy, from the bOnquet-and. Miss
Merriam, you will not decline. Mr..
Leighton, a little candy now and then
Is relished by the wisest men. l pro-
pose Mr.. Balcomb's health, to be eaten
sitting and in silence"
Tt isn't polite to treat the gift Of a
parting guest in that way" protested
olive. I'm surprised at you. Captain
Pollock"
When a man Is IN love. he becomes ID
master Of harmless deceit and subter-
huge. Morris Leighton had sought
Zelda Dameron tonight with a great
hope IN his heart He did not intend |
n r,fca a chauca IN talk IN her alma