Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-10-13

Rodney Merriam had been giving hel
counsell
las we have just said-and I was
glad to find you agreeing with me-a
woman does we'll to let business alone
There is an immense amount of detail
connected with an estate--even a com
paratively small one, like your moth
er's. There are many accounts to keep
l have kept them for years in my own
way. I am not an expert accountant
but hope that my work is accurate.
At any time that you would like to eN-
anime the books, should be glad %
aid you"
Thank you-yes, of course" said
Zelda, hurriedly. She had been think
ing of other things; but she now fixed
her attention upon what her father was
saying.
Il have thought. Zee that perhaps
you would like to continue this trLs-
teeship. No one else understands the
nature of the property so well as l. l
have given the best years of my life to
studying It, The burden Is a consd-
erable one for my years. l am nearing
70-but If you would like to have me
go on, | should be willing to do So.
Your dear mother gave me her entire
confidence; 1t would please me If
could feel that your own trust in me
was equally great"
Il suppose there Is no hurry about
it. father 1t would be just as we'll for
me to go over the whole matter at the
time Of the change" She spoke care
lesslY, but bitterness had begun to
creep into her heart. The contempt
that she had smothered fora year now
ceased to be a smoldering ember and
leaped into flame.
Il wished to propose that myself"
he replied, smiling. And I will tell
you now what / had expected to con-
ceal until your birthday, of little gift
l am making you. have placed two
thousand dollars to your credit at the
bank. 1t is subject to your check. 1t
Is from my own estate, of course. l
should hardly make you a present If
your own money"
You are very kind; 1t is a hand
some gift; but 1 think we'd better pur
it into the new trusteeship. Then l
shall not be tempted into extrava-
gances."
He had expected some exuberant ex-
preston of pleasure; but she had
spoken coldly, and her manner trou-
bled him. He took from the table a
brown paper parcel and opened it,
carefully untying the knot in the tape
which fastened 1t.
Il think you have never seen a copy
of your mothers WILL Zee-unless per-
haps your Uncle Rodney has shown II
to you"
mo; have never seen it,. she an
swered.
He unfolded copy of the last will
and testament Of Margaret Dameron
and then refolded 1t length
wise to remove the creases for greater
In examining 1t. He pro-
ceeded with an exaggerated delibera-
ton. A man likes to mystify a woman
about business matters; his own wis
dom grows refulgent In the dark re-
,esses of her ignorance.
Dameron read his wife's will |
and Zelda listened attentive
y, though few Of the terms meant
anything to her, and the numbers Of |
ots and the names of additions, divIs-
ons and subdivisions were only rigma-
10 make some comment on an item, ex-
planning more fully what was meant.
Either her uncle had deceived her ur |
her father was lying; and she knew |
that her uncle had told the truth. The
situation cleared for her slowly. His |
request for a continuation of the trus- |
.eeship yelled his wish to keep her az |
fairs in his own hands, without a |
break. It was a clever plan and in an |
mpersonal way she admired his au- |
lacity.
You understand" her father contin- |
led, that the personal property-that |
means stocks, bonds and so on-was |
10 be sold and the proceeds reinvested |
as l saw fit. 1t was necessary TO |
,hange most of it-I had no option IN
he matter. Your grandfather, Zee
had been one of the early railroad |
builders in this part of the country.
md the original small independent
ines have all been merged into great
,vstems. 1t should be a matter of
bride to you that your grandfather was
| man 80 far-seeing and progressive.
But now, his children and their chill
lren derive the benefit. l recall that a
in Congress from our
State was defeated for re- election back
n the '40s, for voting an appropria-
ion to aid Morse In his experiments
With the telegraph. They charged him
With wasting the peoples money. But
lines change, and men change with
heml"
He sighed, and the thin leaves Of his
.opy of the will rustled In his fingers
IS he sought the place where he had
lropped his reading. He fingered ov1r
he words that described the nature of
he trust. They were very sweet to
i'm. because they were at once a JUS
ification of himself and a refutation
f the ISLANDERS of his wife's family.
Ie knew, too, that they gave emphasis
o the suggestion that he was now
making to Zelda, that she renew the
rusteeship. He wished to put this
s much as possible in the light Of
avor to the girl.
Il am very sorry that my friend and
ounsel Mr.. Carr, is absent, as
hould like to have him prepare the !
ew deed Of trust. He is a man Of the
ighest probity. He is the ablest law
er at our bar. In Mr.. Carr's absence
have not thought It wise to take an
ther attorney into our confidence. I
ave prepared a deed Of trust myself.
hall read the deed?"
Yes, please" said Zelda. 7 should
Ike to hear It."
He had. as he said, copied the form
T trust deed that was well-known
mong local lawyers. AS a trust deed