St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current, 1910-07-29
CHAPTER w.


apex of a triangle. The firm had been
tenants OF the same rooms for many
years. There was a battered tin sign
at the entrance, but it's inscription
could be read only by persons who re-
membered IL from bygone days. Knight
and Kittredge had been prominent In
State politics during and Immediately
following the Civil War. They were
dead now, but Carr, who had left poll
tics to his partners. survived, and he
had changed nothing in the offices.
In the old days IL had been the Gus
tom OF the members Of the firm OF
Knight. Klttredge q Carr to assemble
every morning at o'clock In the IL
brary for a brief discussion Of the
news OF the day. or for review OF
the work that lay before them. The
young men who were fortunate enough
to be tolerated In the offices had all
ways enjoyed these discussions inn
mensely. for Governor Kittredge and
Senator Knight had known men and
manners as well as the law; and MI
chaei Carr knew Plato and the Greek
and Latin poets as he knew the way
home.
These morning conferences we're still
continued In Morris Lelghton's day,
though Knight and Kittredge had long
been gone. IL might be topic from
the days news that received attention,
or some new book-hilchael Carr was
a persistent novel reader--or II might
be even a bit of social gossip that was
discussed Mr.. Carr was n man OF de-
liberate habits and when he set apart
this half-hour for talk with his
young men. as he called them, Il made
no difference that the president OF a
great railway cooled his heels In tho
outer once while the Latin poets were
discussed In the library. or that other
dlgnined Cauoaaians waited while me-
gro suffrage was debated.
Ezra Dameron was waiting for him
this morning. for Il was the FIRST OF
October. and on the nrst OF every
month Ezra Dameron went 90 the Of
nasa TO discuss his personal afairs Hc
wal OF an economical turn. ana he
made II point 10 combine as many
questions as possible In n single con-
euitauon. His relations with thS Of
fees were OF long standing and dated
back Co a day whom knight, kitrcdEe
a Carr were n new firm and Ezra
Dameron was young merchant whom
people respected. and whose prospects
In life were bright
chaol Carr. Rodney Merriam was walk
ing slowly from his house In Seminary
Square down High street 10 Jefferson,
swinging his stick. and gravcly return
ing the aalutationn OF friends and ae-
auaintancea. lie came presently 10
the offices OF knight. Kittredge a Cart
lie stepped into the reception room
and found IL empty. The door into the
library was closed but he could hear
Carr'a voice, and he knew that tho
lawyer was holding one OF those morn
Ing talks with his clerks and students
that Morris Leighton had often de-
scribed. lie looked about with inter.
est and then crossed the hall. The
doors OF three private Offices were
closed. but he turned the knob OF the
one marked In small black letters "Mr.
Carr" and went In.
Ezra Dameron was still looking out
OF the window when the door was
fiung open. He supposed Carr had
come, and having been gazing out into
the sunny court. his sight did not ae-
commodnte itself at once TO the dim
light Of the little room.
"Ah, AIR. Carr" he began.
Good morning. Ezra" said Rodney
Merriam. biandly. Dameron knew the
in-law. and after seconds hesitation
he advanced with a great air OF cor
diality.
why, Rodney, what brings you into
the haunts OF the law? thought yoa
were a man who never got into trou-
BILE. I'm waiting for Mr.. Carr. l have
a standing appointment with him this
same day every month-exeepting
Sundays. OF course"
so have understood I don't want
10 see Air. Carr. however; want TO
see you"
Dameron glanced al his brother-in
law Rnxiously. lie had believed Mer-
riam's appearance TO be purely acct
dental. and he was not agreeably dis
appointed to find that he had been
mistaken, He looked at the little clock
on Cars desk, and was relieved 20
md that the lawyer would undoubt-
eddy appear in a few minutes.
Il should be glad, at any other time.
Rodney, but MIR, Carr is very partieu-
lar about his appointments"
Il have heard SO. Ezra. What /
have To say 10 you viii not interfere
with your engagement with Mr.. Carr
AS near as I can remember. IL has been
ten years since enjoyed a CONVERSE
tlon with you"
Better let the old times go-I-I-
am willing 10 let them go. Rodney"
And on that last occasion. II my
memory serve me. l believe l told yon
that you were an Internal scoundrel"
You were very violent, very unjust;
but let IL all go. Rodney. | treasure
no unklnd feelings"
1t would be a source OF real annoy
anee 10 me TO have you think for a
moment that | have changed my mind.
l want TO have a word with you about
Zelda. She has chosen TO go 10 live
with you"
Very loyal. very noble OF her. I'm
sure l appreciate IT,"
Il hope you do She doesn't under-
stand what a contemplate hound you
are. and don't intend to tell her. And
you may be quite sure that her Aunt
Julia will never tell her how you
treated her mother-how you made her
life curse 10 her. ! don't want you
10 think that because l have let you
alone these ten years | have forgotten
or forgiven you. | wouldn't trust you
10 do anything that demanded the low
est sense OF honor or manhood"
There was no sign OF anger or even
resentment in Ezra's face. His newt
able smile died away in a sickly grin.
but he said nothing.
with this little preface l think you
win understand that what have
sought you out for is not TO ask favors
but to give orders. in view of zees re-
turn"
But Rodney. Rodney-that matter
needs no discussion. l shall hope &C
make my daughter happy in her faith
er'a hOusa--I am her natural DrOtact-