Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1910-09-08
Zelda Cameron
MEREDITH NICHOLSON
csvyrssAs. 1904. b. Ths Bebb-MsnIn c..

c~s.xrSxAA. 1904, b. Tks Bohbs-Msssm Co.


me a keener happiness b a I dare try
to express to tell you now"
"Yes. yes; some liar-an Infamous
liar" he muttered, and he looked at
her with a sudden hope in his face.
When he should learn who had come
between him and this girl he would
exhaust the possibilities Of revenge.
Zelda read the meaning Of his look
and she smiled a little, and stepped to
the table and turned up the lamp, and
put his glasses within reach Of his
hand.
Il shall not trust myself to tell you
I shall let you read for yourself a fen
words, written by n who was not q
liar"
He watched her as she drew out the
little red book, her talisman and her
guide. He turned it over curiously and
then read, at the place where she had
opened:
They have told me to-day that I am
going to die; but I nave known 1t for
a long time. Do for her what
you would have lone for me. Do not
let him kill the sweetness and gentle
ness in her. Keep her away from him
If you can; but do not let her know
what I have suffered from him. 1 have
arranged for him to care for the prop
erty I have to leave her, so that she
may never feel that I did not trust
him. He will surely guard what be-
longs to her safely. Perhaps
1 was unjust to him; 1t may have been
my fault; but if she a respect or love
him 1 wish it to be So"
You see there Is no question of ly-
ing here. L found this-in a trunk of
mothers, in the ~garret-quite acciden-
tally, a few days after I came home.
1t was intended for Uncle Rodney or
Aunt Julia and not for me-"
He was silent for a moment, staring
at the page before him and refusing to
meet her eyes. She sat down and
watched him across the table. Sud-
denly he laughed shrilly, and slapped
his hands together in glee.
Il might have known It; I might
have known it! This is delightful;
this is rich beyond anything!" His
mirth increased, and he rocked back
and forth, chuckling and baating his
knees with his hands.
Zee, Zee, my child" he began,
amiably, Il am glad this has happened.
I am glod that there Is an opportunity
for me to right myself in your eyes. I
could not h8ve asked anything bet
tef."
He began to nod his head as was
his way when pleased by the thought
of something he was about to say.
Zee, the animus of this is clear.
Your mother hated me-"
You needn't tell me that! Her own
testimony is enough. pitiful enough"
But the reason, the reason! I
should never have told you. 1 have
hoped to keep it in my own bosom
my lifelong shame and grief. But your
mother, your mother played me a base
trick, the basest a woman can play.
She married me, loving another man.
And I suffered, how I suffered for it,"
He lifted his head and raised his
hands to heaven. A sob leaped in her
throat and tears spring in her eyes as
she rose and bent toward him over the
table.
IF you mention her again I shall
punish you, Ezra Cameron"
He did not heed her, but began
| speaking with a haste his tongue had
rarely known. The smile that forever
haunted his lips vanished.
"She. loved another man when she
married me. 1 knew it well enough;
but I was glad to marry her on any
terms. She was a beautiful nan
a very beautiful woman" and the an
ger died suddenly from his eyes and
voice. Zelda wondered whether he
was really touched by the thought of
her mother or whether the little flame
n u lal ronroJ1y Norwood -, 4
he continued speaking she listened, as
though he had been an actor imperson-
ating a part, and doing it i'll, so that
he presented no illusion to her eyes.
She was thinking, too, of her own fu-
ture; of the morrow in which she must
plan her life anew. She thought of
| Morris Leighton now, and with an in
| tenseness hat made her start when her
father spoke his name.
You have been a better daughter TO
me than I could have asked. An in
scrutable Providence has ordered
things strangely, but and he
chuckled and wagged his head, but
very wisely and satisfactorily. I sup
pose your Uncle Rodney thought a
marriage between you and his young
friend Leighton would be an admira-
bic arrangement, out you nave done
as I would have you do in rejecting
him. All, 1 understoodI was watch
ing you'll knew that you were lead
ing him on to destroy him"
Il should like to know what right
you have to speak to me of such a
matter in such a tone. He is a gen.
tleman."
He is; he is, indeed" and Damer-
on laughed harshdly. He is a gentle
man beyond any doubt; but you re-
fused him, just as 1 knew you would.
The force of heredity Is very strong.
You are a dutifui daughter; you even
anticipated my wishes. Your conduct
is exemplary. 1 am delighted"
Il think you are mad said Zelda,
looking at him wonderingly. She had
begun to feel the strain of events Of
the few hours since she had gone to
her uncle's house; she was utterly
weary and her ather's strange manner
had awakened a fear in her. Perhaps
he was really mad. She walked to-
ward the door; u he was timing his
climax with a shrewd cunning.
when your mother was engaged to
Morris Leighton, the elder'-and he
paused, knowing that she had turned
quickly and was staring at him with