Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-10-27
CHAPTER xxi.

Ezra Dameron sat in the sitting
room as he always did, waiting for
Zelda to come to breakfast; but as she
stood upon the threshold, whence she
had often called her good morning, he
did not look up from the newspaper
with his usual smile. She was touch
ed by the pathos of his figure. He
seemed older more shrunken; his pro-
file, as the early light gave it to her.
was less hard. His lean cheeks had
the touch of color they always wore
in the morning from his careful shaw
ing. and his long hair was brushed
back with something more than its US
ual uncompromising smoothness. A
certain primness and rigidity in him
which had often vexed her. struck
only her pity now.
Father"
He rose and turned toward her with
pathetic appeal In his eyes.
Good morning, Zee" he said. Hab-
it was strong in him and they usually
went to breakfast as soon as she came
down. He took step now toward the
diningroom.
Father, l wish to speak to you a
moment" she said, kindly; and he
paused. Il am sorry for what hap
pened last night was not quite my
self; l said things that will always
trouble me If you-unless you can for
give me. was wrong-about every
thing. You must let me help, If can
help you-in any way"
He said nothing, but stared at her.
What apgered me was that you
weren't quite frank, father. l didn't
care about the money. 1t wasn't that
but If things haven't gone well with
you, wish to share the burden. No
1 mean it-that l am sorry-let us be
quite good friends again."
She went up to him quickly and took
his hand.
Father" she said.
"Zee, my little girl-my little girl"
he began brokenly, touching her cheeks
with trembling hands.
"Yes, father" she said. wishing to
help him.
Il have been very wicked; have led
a bad life. l must not harm you; am
not fit"
you are my father" she said. and
touched his forehead with her lips.
wondering at herself.
to him brightly on irrelevant matters
The situation was now in her own
hands and she would not fail again. |
She usually visited the kitchen after |
breakfast to make her list for the gro
Ger; but this morning she went back to |
the sitting-room with her father. The |
autumn morning was cool, and she |
bent and lighted the fire.
Now" she said, rising quickly and |
smiling at him. there are those both
ersome business matters that we were
talking about last night. / wish to sign |
that paper"
He shook his head.
you can't do 1t, Zee" The deed had
been torn to pieces and thrown upon
the kindling in the grate-half had al
ready been destroyed.
THAT is probably just as well. We
shall make a new one" she said, in
of course tone. Il wish you
would tell me. so that I may under
stand. just what 1t is that has hap
Dened"
It's a long story. I thought should
be able to make a great fortune for
you. It was my greed-my greed.
What proposed about the deed was
purely selhsh--to shield myself 1t is
/ grave matter-I have betrayed you
/ have betrayed your mothers trust
have robbed you"
7 haven't been robbed father, and l
ion't intend that anybody shall use
such words to me. We shall make the
Iced; no one need ever know that any
hing has happened"
You are kind; you are more than
generous. Zee; but was mad when /
lsked you to re-create the trust last
hight I am a bad man; l must face
y sins: have lived a lying, evil life.
am a thief. worse than a thief"
MY father can't be a thief" she
aid.
I am a thief-your uncle viii see
hat I am punished And II win be |