Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-08-11

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that she had smothered for a year now
ceased to be smoldering ember and
leaped into fame
l wished to propose that myself"
he replied smiling. And 1 will tell
| ceal until your birthday, Of little gift
l am making you I have placed two
thousand dollars to your credit at the
bank. 1t is subject to your check. IT
is from my own estate. of course. /
should hardly make you a present If
your own money"
you are very kind; It IS a hand
| some gift: but I think we'd better put
1t into the new trusteeship. Then I
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
brown paper parcel and opened 1t,
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 1t
20 you
NO; I have never seen It," she an
swered
He unfolded a copy of the last will
and testament of Margaret Cameron
carefully. and then refolded it length
wise to remove the creases for greater
convenience in examining 1t. He pfo-
ceeded with an exaggerated delibera-
ton. A man likes to mystify a woInan
about business matters; his own wis
dom grows refulgent in the dark re-
cesses Of her ignorance.
Cameron read his wife's will
through, and Zelda listened attentive
ly, though few of the terms meant
anything to her, and the numbers Of
lots and the names of additions, divis-
ions and subdivisions were only ri,gma-
role. Her father paused now and then
to make some comment on an item, ex-
planning more fully what was meant.
Either her uncle had deceived her or
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-
teeship yelled his wish to keep her af-
fairs in his own hands, without a
break. 1t was a clever plan and in an
impersonal way she admired his az
dacity.
You understand" her father conttn
ued. that the personal property-that
means stocks, bonds and so on-was
to be sold and the proceeds reinvested
as l saw fit. It was necessary TO
change most of tt had no option u,
the matter. Your grandfather. Zee
had been one of the early railroad
builders IN this part of the country.
and the original small Independent
lines have all been merged into great
systems. It should be a matter Ct
pride to you that your grandfather was
a man SO far-seeing and progressive.
But now. his children and their chill
dren derive the benefit I recall that a
representative in Congress from our
State was defeated for re- election back
in the '40s, for voting an appropria-
ton to aid Morse in his experiments
with the telegraph. They charged him
with wasting the peoples money. But
TINES change, and men change with
them!"
He sighed, and the thin leaves Of his
copy of the will rustled in his fingers
as he sought the place where he had
dropped his reading. He fingered ovar
the words that described the nature of
the trust. They were very sweet to
him, because they were at once a JUS
ti1cation of himself and a refutation
Of the ISLANDERS of his wife's family
He knew, too that they gave emphasis
to the suggestion that he was now
making to Zelda. that she renew the
trusteeship. He wished to put this
as much as possible in the light of
favor to the girl.
Il am very sorry that my friend and
counsel, Mr.. Carr, Is absent, as l
should like 10 have him prepare the
new deed of trust. He Is man Of the
highest probity. He Is the ablest law.
yer at cur bar. In Mr.. Carr's absence
have not thought it wise to take an
other attorney into our confidence 1
have prepared a deed of trust myself
Shall L read the deed?"
Yes. please" said Zelda. Il should
like tc hear it,
He had, as he said, copied the form
of a trust deed that was well-known
among local lawyers. AS a trust deed
it was absolutely above reproach,
save only that neither the property as
described nor any equivalent for the
bulk Of 1t was any longer In existence
as part Of the estate of Margaret
Merriam Cameron.
Zelda sat inert, listening TO the re-
cital, a 9 her father read with deliber-
alton and with due regard for the So
norous legal phrases. He even read
through the notarial certificates; and
then he drew off his glasses and set
tied back in his chair with satisfied
air. He hoped that Zelda would dis
cuss some of the provisions, or ask
questions, SO that he might be assured
that she suspected nothing
Zelda said nothing. He rose and FUN
bled with the pen and ink that lay on
the table by the inkstand. while he
waited for her to speak. The silence
grew oppressive; the girl had always
responded quickly In their talk. He
turned. holding the pen In his hand.
Il suggest that you look the paper
over before signing. Zee"
He held the paper toward her. but
she shook her head
Very we'll / have read 1t to you
carefully; and you can, of course have
a copy at any time. It Is perfectly
proper for you to sign to-night-the
day before your birthday; you can ac-
knowledge 1t before a notary to-mor-
row."
He was smiling, but he held the pen
toward her with q hand that shook
perceptibly. Repulsion and pity strug-
gled for the mastery as she pondered,
looking away from him into the fire.
She felt that she could never meet his
eyes again; but she seemed to see
them IN the flames, the small gray eyes
that were so full of cunning and avar-
ice. 1t was his deceit his effort to
play upon her credulity, that stung her
now into a fierce contempt. She rose
and turned toward him.
Il wish you would not lie to me, Ez-
"a Cameron" she said. quietly, with
even the suggestion OF a caress upon
the syllables Of his name.
Ito be continued
She Wondered.
The first time that Lysander John