Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-08-18

AAAo AA~-~' AOAAA0 hillS-il 2 u Qlih Va
mothers, IN the garret-Quite acciden-
tally. few days after I came homa
II was intended for Uncle Rodney Oh
Aunt Julia and not for me-"
He WAS silent for moment staring
at the page before him and refusing q
meet her eyes. She sat down and
denly he laughed ghrilly, and slapped
his hands together in glee.
I might have known 1t; I might
have known 1t! This is delightful;
this Is rich beyond anything!" Hii
mirth increased. and he rocked back
and forth, chuckling and beating his
knees with his hands.
Zee, Zee, my child" he began
amiably, 81 am glad this has happened
| am glod that there Is an opportunity
for me to right myself in your eyes.
could not rSve asked anything bet
tef"
He began to nod his head as wa.
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! ]
should never have told you. I hava
hoped to keep 1t in my own bosom
my lifelong shame and grief. But your
mother, your mother played me a bass
trick, the basest a woman can play
she married me, loving another man
And l suffered, how I suffered for it,"
He lifted his head and raised his
hands to heaven. sob leaped in heI
throat and tears spring in her eyes as
she rose and bent toward him over thu
table
IF you mention her again I shall
punish you, Ezra Cameron"
He did not heed her, but began
speaking with haste his tongue had
rarely known. The smile that forever
haunted his lips vanished.
She loved another man when she
married me. l knew 1t we'll enough.
but I was glad to marry her on any
terms. She was a beautiful woman
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
of passion had merely burned out. AS
he continued speaking she listened, as
though he had been an actor fmperson-
ating a part, and doing 1t Ill, 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 that made her start when her
father spoke his name.
You have been a better daughter ia
I 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 sun
pose your Uncle Rodney thought
marriage between you and his youna
friend Leighton would be an admira-
| BILE arrangement: but you have done
as I would have you do in rejectina
him. All, l UNDERSTOOD was watch
ing you'll knew that you were lead
ing him on to destroy him."
II should like to know what right
you have to speak to me of such
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 I knew you would
| The force of heredity Is very strong
You are a dutiful daughter: you even
anticipated my wishes. Your conduct
is exemplary. I 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 t.
her uncle's house; she was utterly
weary and her fathers strange manner
40 ~,
he was really mad. She walked to.
ward the door; but he was timing hi.
climax with a shrewd cunning.
when your mother was engaged t.
Morris Leighton, the elder''-and h,
paused. knowing that she had turned
quickly and was staring at him with
wonder and dread in her eyes-"wher
your mother was engaged to thi!
young mans father" he repeated
your uncle was greatly pleased. Bu
she was not so easily caught"
You ought to know that I believe
nothing you say-not q world" Bu
| in her heart she felt foreboding thai
this might be true.
You should ask your uncle; or your
| Aunt Julia. Possibly we three are the
| only people that remember l should
like to have you quite sure about 1t
now that you have decided not to mar.
~ the son"-and he laughed with ugly
| glee.
The front door bell rang out harsh.
| ly, and the old man sprang up:
You are not at home; you must SEE
no one"
9oIy's step was heard in the bacI
hall
Never mind, Polly. I'll answer the
| 'Icr," said Zelda. The sight of any
| ,ther face than that of her father
would be relief; but it was o'clock
an hour at which no one ever called
! She expected nothing more than a brie:
| parley with a messenger boy.
| Pardon me, Miss Dameron-"
Leighton stood on the step with hi.
! hat In his hand. He had been wan
| deTing about the streets. He hat
| passed the Cameron house a dozer
times. held to the neighborhood by
| feeling that Zelda might need his pro.
| lection; and lie finally stopped ant
| rang in a tunIult of hope that he
might see her again and reassure him
| self of her safety. AS he stepped inc
| the hall, he Jaw Ezra Cameron peer.
| ing at him from the living room door
Good evening. Mr.. Cameron" sait
| Leighton The old man turned bacl
to the table and his papers without re
| ply; but he listened intently.
Il was passing" said Leighton
| truthfully, and 1 remembered a mos.
| sage that Mrs. Copeland gave me 70
| you this afternoon, and I'm sorry tt
| say 1 forgot about 1t until now"
He looked at her. smiling; she un,
derstood well enough why he hai
| come.
| Please put of your coat and conn
/ l.. We are alone, father and l. having
| a quiet evening at home!"
Thank you; 1 can't stop: but Mrs
! Copeland wished me to ask you q
| come in tomorrow afternoon. She Ia.
an unexpected guest-a friend from
Boston-and you know she likes every
| body to appreciate her friends!"
Thank you, very much. shall com,
| II 1 possibly can
Ito be continued.)