Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-08-04
CHAPTER Xyu-fContinued ,

the score Of the old rela tionship be-
tween Carr and Cameron. Carr was
out of reach; Leighton did not even
know his exact address al this time.
And there was old Rodney Merriam,
his best friend, and there was Zelda
cameron sat at his desk with mass
OF papers before him as Leighton en-
tered. The old man wore serious air,
TO which the mass of papers contrib
uted. A puzzled look crossed his face
as he raised his eyes and regarded
Leighton dreamily. Then suddenly. IS
though just recalling Leighton, he
smiled and rose from his chair.
My dear Mr.. Leighton, this is rare
honor; I am delighted to see you, sir. -
He had never greeted Leighton so
cordially before
Pardon me Mr.. Cameron. L have
come on an impertinent Grand"
Il can't imagine it," said the old man,
graciously
But | Go so on the score of your Old
friendship with Mr. Carr He is absent
or 1 should have referred the subject
OF my errand to him. You undoubtedly
have your own counsel-in Mr. Carr
absence
Myself! I have enjoyed Mr.. Carr
advlce through so many years that
1eeI nave fair knowledge of the law.
we nave both"-and he indicated MOI
us py gesture-"we have both en-
Joyed the instruction of an excellent
preceptor," and he bowed over his
hands. We'll, sir"
have just happened to learn of a
deed given by you to the Patoka Lar
and improvement Company for block
or lots lying south of town. Of cours :,
II Is a pure oversight, but you neglect
ed to get an order of court approving
the sale. I thought I would mention it
TO you. 1t is sale OF some import
ance And now l am sure you will
pardon me-
Morris turned toward the door, but
the old man rose and extended his
hand.
All" he began, with a droll air IF
coquetry, we have had the same pre-
ceptor! You have a capital eye, Mr..
Leighton. I quite admire it in you:
and 1 thank you. l am aware of the
provision you indicate. But have pro
Vided for it. The Judge is away from
nome just now and the gentlemen 20
whom 1 have sold were anxious to get
title without delay 1t doesn't look
quite regular, 1 admit My duties AS
trustee are nearly al an end. Only a
few days more of responsibility. We
will make a new deed if necessary
but the purchaser will be protected. We
are all-all honorable men!"
Very good, sir; l am sorry to have
disturbed you"-and Leighton went ouI.
Dameron's manner had been odd; the
old man had frequently spoken to him
at home, but usually with cold formal
! h11f h
had been with exuberant cordiality.
Morris had never quite made Cameron
out, and he was not satisfied with an
explanation that the poorest lawyer at
the Mariona bar would reject instantly.
And the old man had deliberately lied
about the absence of the judge of the
court, whom Morris ha d seen but a few
hours before.
The bubble that Ezra Dameran had
blown upon the air was near the end
of its perflous voyage. His dream Of
corn at a dollar a bushel-a dream
wrought of the filmiest shadows-was
dispelled. The danger of a great de-
struction of corn by mid September
frosts had passed A member of the
Chicago firm of brokers through whom
he had been trading, had called thai
day, having paid a visit to Mdriona
merely to see what manner Of man it
was who had cast money upon the
| waters SO prodigally. maintaining a
fantastic dream of values at the ex-
pense Of a small fortune.
Leighton's call had made Cameron
uneasy. He had squandered his own
property months before; and now Eel
da's estate was largely dissipa ted: ana
he faced the necessity of rendering az
account of his stewardship within a
few hours. Leighton undoubtedly
knew something Of the transactions bv
which the real estate held by Ezra
Cameron, trustee, had been sold and if
Leighton knew, then Rodney Merriam,
who was at home again, would I'M
doubtedly know at once. He must save
himself; a plan had formed In his mind
by which he could hide his duplicitv
and put off for a year-perhaDs forever
the fact that the greater part of Eel
da's property was gone But first M
must get into his own hands the OBJ
ton he had given Balcomb for the
sale of the creek strip. The sale ha 4
hung fire Unexpectedly; but he rejoiced
that this property had been saved un-
til the last; he firmly believed that he
should ultimately bring back to tho
6Iuply TIC iilOIGY ne h9 n
thrown away; but while he waited he
must study more minutely the condi-
lions that created prices. In short
while, all would be well again; but he
must retain his hold upon what re-
NAMED of Zelda's property. CAPITAL
| would be necessary for his future op-
erations. The creek strip must be
saved and held for a greater price than
the option carried. He sent at once for
Balcomb, who came IN looking trifa
| annoyed.
81 wish you wouldn't sent for me al
the busiest hour OF my busiest day.
Mr. Cameron. I suppose you want to
| know about the purchase of the creek
strip. Well, were not quite ready 70
close 1t to-day. That's a big scheme
and all our money isn't paid In yet"
Then the option--I must have back
the option at once" And the old man
spoke in a peremptory tone that was in
marked contrast with the mildly in
| sistent note he had Of late been using.
Not at all. sir That is thirty day
option and has ten days longer to run"
ITO be sure; but the trust expires to-
morrow; I had no right to bind the
estate beyond my trusteeship. To-
morrow is my daughters birthday Ny
administration OF her affairs is ended.
l must trouble you to give me the pa
per"
Not much, won't! We've been de-
layed for a few days; but you've got
to carry out the deal. That was part
Of the consideration when we took your
lots; and moreover you accepted mon
ey on the option. The trusteeship
doesn't cut any ice. OF course, your
bound by your acts. 1 can't stop any
longer. Before the 10th Of October Wen
be ready TO close, and meanwhile you'll
please be good enough to remember
that approval Of the sale of those lots.
Some of these people we're selling 10
may be silly enough to have the title
looked into-and I don't want any non
sense about 1t. You remember I fixed
all that with my company to please
you-merely TO get that option. My
own hands are clean. you understand.