Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-09-01

CHAPTER XXu-(Continuedl
Copyright. 1904. By The Bobb.-Merrn Co.

CHAPTER KILL Continued.)
He repeated the words, 1T feeds on
itself" as though he found satisfaction
IN them. He was quite willing now TO
yield everything to ZeIda's hands. The
very way in which she asked questions
was relief to him.
Mr.. Balcomb gave you thousand
dollars to bind bargain-is that what
you call it?-for the sale. Of the creek
strip. I 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. I have
squandered your money in speculations
gambling is the name for it; but
have kept the farm and this house, I'M
touched. Everything else has gone and
l have given an option for the sale Of
that strip Of ground on the creek And
| sold block of lots belonging to you
in an irregular way. 1 could not sell
property without an order of court
that was required by your mothers
Will; but my necessities were great,
and Balcomb arranged an abstract to
SIT himself-but I let him do it. am
the guilty one; it is my crime"
Let US not use unpleasant words
It's my birthday. I'm quite grown up
ana you must let me help-or find
help!"
Yes; but not Rodney; not your I'M
Gle, he said, hurriedly He is vio-
lent very violent. He would have no
mercy on me. And 1 am an old man,
and broken, very badly broken"
shall have to tell Uncle Rodney;
Dut you need have no fear of him,
promise you that. Mr.. Carr is your
lawyer, isn't he?" she asked.
Yes; but he has been away I took
advantage Of his absence to do things
ne would never have countenanced."
There is Mr.. Leighton"
NO, no, not that mani" She had
tried to avoid any reference to the in
terVlew of the night before, but the
mention of Leighton's name brought
the whole wretched scene clearly be-
fore her again. It was he, more than
her uncle, that she relied on
I'm sorry you feel toward him as
you do, father. believe that we might
trust him. 1 look upon him as
friend"
Ezra Cameron was weak and the
t1lk was Wearying him. He closed his
eyes and rested him head on the back
OF the chair, moving it from side to
side restlessly. He was beaten and
ne was not heroic in defeat. He was
stunned by the failure of his gambling
operations. He had lived so entirely
In dreams for year that 1t was diff
cult Tor him to realize the broad day
llght Of workaday world Echoes of
the marsh things that had passed be-
tween him and the child of his own
blood but a few hours before still
haunted him. She had summoned the
appar1tion of her dead mother and had
called him liar; and he had insulted
her in the harshest terms he knew;
but he was now leaning upon her help
lessly. He did not know, and he could
not understand, the motives that were
prompting her. He had thrown away
her money, and she did not arraign
MIN for 1t; she was even devisfng
means of covering up his ill-dofngs:
and the fact that one could overlook
and pardon the loss of fortune was
utterly beyond his comprehension.
TRY to cheer up" she said, resting
her hand on his shoulder for mo-
ment Don't talk TO anybody about
business of any kind. I'm going down
to uncle's; and you needn't be afraid
of him. or of anybody"