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


Rodney Merriam greeted Zelda
cheerily.
Am I not the early bird?" she de-
manded, walking into the library. Il
had hoped that you would congratulate
me in genial and cheering words. lis
my birthday, l would have you know"
AT my age"
you've said that frequently since we
got acquainted"
AS l was saying. at my age, birth
days don't seem so dreadfulIy import
ant. But I congratulate you with all
my heart" he added, sincerely. and
with the touch of manner that was AL
was charming in him. He drew out
the drawer of his desk "Of course I
haven't any gift for you; but there's
some rubbish here-hardly worth con-
sidering-that l wish you'd carry away
with you"
He took out a little jewelers. box and
handed it to her.
I've rarely been so perturbed." she
said. May I open 1t now, or must I
wait till 1 get home-as they used to
tell me when I was younger"
IF you're interested in an old mans
taste. you may open 1t. I'm prepared
to see you disappointed, so you needn't
pretend you like It"
She bent over the gift with the ca
gerness of child, and pressed the
catch. A string of pearls fell into her
lap and she exclaimed over them low
ousIy:
Rubbish, did you say? Verify.
that was poor, am rich!"
She threw the chain about her neck
and ran it through her fingers hurried
In: then she brushed the white HAIR
from Rodney Merriam's forehead and
kissed him.
You dear: you delicious old dearl l
know you hate to be thanked"
But I can stand being kissed. Pit
those things away now; and don't for
get to take care of them. You ca,
give them to your granddaughter on
her wedding day"
I can't imagine doing anything so
foolish. I can see myself cutting her
off without a pearl"
The suggestion of poverty carried an
irony to the mind of both Her father
was rascal, who had swindled her
out Of practically all of her fortune
He was a lying hypocrite, Merriam said
TO himself; and here was his daughter
as calm and cheerful as though there
were no such thing as unha ppiness in
the world. His admiration and affec-
ton rose to high tide
I'm sorry if 1 seemed a Ittle-pre-
cipita te-yesterda she said But it
was all new and strange. And 1 have
known that you did not like father
You viii overlook whatever I did and
said yesterday, won't you?"
It's a good plan to begin the world
over every morning. I want to you
you in any way can, Zee. I began at
the wrong end yesterday. The fault
was all mine!"
Father and have had long talk
about his business. He approached it
last night on his own account l have
told him that l was coming to you
Father has met with misfortune. He
has told me frankly about it: he spec
ulated with the money that belonged
TO me-and the money is all gone"
Yes; I am not surprised"
There is the house we live in and
the farm-they are still free. He says
they belong to me-"
IF he has moth pledged them for
debt in any way, they pass to your
possession to-day. They are yours
now"
Yes; understand about that. This
is my fateful birthday" and she
smiled.
But there are some things that arc
not quite right. Father has told me
about them. There is something about
an order of court, which affects a piece
Of property that he has sold through
this Mr.. Balcomb. Father takes all the
blame for that. 1 suppose that is what
You wished to tell me last night. But
I'm glad 1 heard it from father. 1 hope
You will not be hard on him He has
takes to me in an honorable spirit