Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-07-14
CHAPTER l.

"Shes like Margaret; she's really
one of u.s. remarked Mrs Forrest to
her brother. She carries herself as
Margaret did in her girlhood and she's
dark, as we all are"
Il hope she's escaped the Dameron
traits; they're unattractive," said Rod
ney Merriam.
Mrs. Forrest and Zelda Dameron. her
piece who were just home from five
years absence abroad, had, so to speak,
stepped directly from the train into
Mrs. Carr's drawing room. The place
was full of women, old and young,
and their animated talk blended
Mrs. Carr was forcing the season
trif1e-it was near the end of Septem-
ber-but the dean of famous college
for women had come to town unex
pectedly. and it was not Mrs. Carrs
way to let heat or cold interfere with
her social inclinations. Mrs. Forrest
and her brother had ceased talking to
watch their niece. The girls profile
was turned to them, and the old gen.
tleman noted the good points of her
face and figure. She was talking TO
several other girls, and it seemed to
him that they showed her Difference.
Zelda turned from her companions
suddenly. She crossed swiftly to her
uncle with a happy exclamation:
This is indeed an occasion Be-
hold my long-lost uncle" She seized
his hands eagerly
"And you are Zelda-our little Zee"
"Quite that! We must be acquaint-
edl Perhaps we shall be friends who
knows? Aunt Julia promised to ar
range it-and I'm not used to being
disappointed"
Zelda was a name that had, been
adopted in the Merriam family long
ago. A great many people had never
known that old Roger Merriams 3
wife's name was Zelda, so generally
was Zee applied to her even in her
old age. Margaret Dameron's child
had been called Little Zee while her
grandmother lived and until her aunt
had taken her away; and now on her
temperance in Mariona, she was quite
naturally spoken of at Zee Damron.
There was a wistfulness in the girls
eyes that touched Rodney Merriam BY
the suggestion of her dead mother, the
sister that had been the pride of the
Merriams. Mrs. Forrest watched her
brother curiously. She had speculat-
ed much about this meeting. Rodney
Merriam was away from home a great
deal He had reached sMariona at noon
from a trip into Canada and had gone
to Mrs. Carr's in pursuit of his sister.
Mrs Forrest understood perfectly that
her brother had come to Mrs. Carr's
tea chiefly that he might casually, and
without apparent interest, inspect his
niece Rodney Merriam was wary of
entanglements with his relatives. He
and Mrs. Forrest were, it was said in
Mariona, the only Merriams who could
safely be asked to the same table, or
who were not likely to cause embar-
rassment if they met anywhere. He
had not spoken to Ezra Dameron, Eel
da's father. for ten years. and the name
Dameron was an offense in his nos
trils; but the girl was clearly a Mer-
riam; she was the child of his favor
ite sister, and he hoped it would be
possible to like her.
Yes. we shall be friends-much
more than friends" he said, kindly
you must come and see me; Aunt
Julia has graduated me. and I'm back
on my native heath to stay"
Come and tell me what you have
learned in distant lands-and I'll tell
you what to forget Here's Morris
Leighton: I want you to know him,
Zee" said Rodney Merriam.
Merriam moved away through the
crowd followed by his sister.
You know Uncle Rodney very well,
don't your" said Zelda to Leighton. |
'.He was always my hero When I was
a little girl I used to sit on a trunk
in his garret and watch him fence with |
a German fencing master. 1t was
great fun"
I sometimes fence with Mr.. Mer-
ram myself I assure you that his |
hand and eye have not lost their cum
ming"
Morris Leighton's social adventures !
had not lacked variety. He knew a |
good deal about girls, and while a ]