St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current, 1910-08-19

Rodney Merriam laughed, half at fnd-
ing himself caught and half Mt the
sight OF Olive Merriam's blue eyes, her
glowing cheeks with their furtive dim
Piles and the fair hair that Zelda was
now compelling her to wear In the pre-
vaillnR mode.
Il am delighted; am proud OF you,"
he declared. quite honestly.
Il think--I may say that reclpro-
cate" replied Olive. "I haven't seen
you for long tlme-Uncsle Rodney
except at a distance"
Altogether my fault and my lossl
trust that the distance may be con-
siderably lessened hereafter"
A number OF people were watching
this by-play with keen interest. Some
thing had surely happened among the
Merrlams II had been many years
since so many members of the family
had been seen together at any social
gathering
There's a draft somewhere" said
Mrs Forrest. suddenly. we must be
going Rodney. And now. Zelda. don't
stay out all night. Mrs. CarrS IL going
to take you home. You'll be sure 60 be
sick N you're not careful. And"-Zel.
da was looking at her aunt lntently-
Miss Merriam. I do hope you will
come to see me. never go anywhere.
you know And please remember me
TO your mother"
And pray remember me- also" said
Rodney Merriam. feeling zelda's eyes
upon him.
"oh. Zee" said her uncle. In low
tone: IT was all nno: but how did Pol
lock come 10 be In the show7-f don't
care 10 have you know him"
"of course shall know him"
but prefer"
Please don't preferl I'm having
little fun tonight. and I can't be seri-
Gus az all. Some other time--good-
night"
what do you think Of that glri?"
asked Mrs. Forrest. when she was
alone with her brother In their car
rlaEe.
Il think she's very pretty. n YOU rc-
fer 20 Olive Merriam. and has nice
manners" was his reply.
There seems 10 be no way Of check
Ing Zclda's enthuslasms. hope that
Girl won't take advantage OF zce'a
kindness" said Mrs. Forrest. as her
brother left her az her door
II shouldn't worry about her II I
were you"
II certainly shan't; but you wcro al.
ways down on her father"
Il was always good deal OF n fool.
too" said Rodney Merriam: and he re-.
fused 20 be taken home In his sisters
carriage. but walked homeward from
her door through High street. beating
the walk renectlvely with his stick
A. the Athenaeum Zelda was enjoy
ing herself unreservedly. Her cousin
Olive had been presented 20 a repre-
sentative Mariona audience IN way
that had commanded attention. and
Zelda was thoroughly happy over H.
She did not care In the least what pe0-
pie might say E1out the healing OF old
wounds among the Merrlams. II gave
her the only unalloyed Joy OF hss
home coming 10 see Olive established
socially on a footing that was. she
told herself, as firm as her own.
Baicomb. who was much swollen
with pride by his success In the op-
era, was talking In his usual breath
less fashion 20 a young friend from
the country whom he had asked 90
witness his triumph. Beyond Pot
locks head Zelda could see Balcomh's
profile. though she could not hear him
shes a regular piece. that girl. I
was scared 20 death for fear she'd
throw me In that duet-we'd never
sung II together-but carried Il
through all right She's that stunning
Miss DamerOns cousin. She's rather
stuck on me. I'm afraid-I've done lit
tie things for her-theater and so on
but I'll have 10 cut IL all out. She's |
amusing. but | can't AFFORD 20 have her |
misunderstood my attentions. when a |
fellow finds that he's got giFi down |
nne she ceases TO be interesting. It's |
the pursuit that's amusing; but when |
they begin 10 expect something Cum
ning2 well, l should sayl"
Pollock heard him distinctly, and he |
shut his eyes two or three times In a
quick way that he had when angry. |
though he kept on talking TO Zelda |
about the evenings performance.
I'm afraid you're jealous OF Mr., |
Baleomb. He got more applause than
anybody"
He deserved all he got for making |
such a monkey OF himself"
Hes a man Of courage; he proha- |
bly, thought he could afford 10 do a."
IAN OF that7" said Pollock.
"A rising young man." continued |
Zelda.
"A person. | should say. OF most |
egregiOus and monumental gall"-and |
Zelda laughed at his earnestness. She 1
had not heard Balcomb's remark about |
her cousin, but she knew he had said |
that irritated Pollock. That |
young 9fieer left her quickly when |
Leighton came up for the dance that
had now begun.
Pollock found Baleomb In a moment. |
The promoter was standing at the side /
OF the hall, his eyes neryOusly search |
ing for the girl with whom he had en-
gagged the dance.
"Mr Balcomb." said Pollock at his
elbow. may l speak TO you a moment"
Certainly" said Balcomb, In his us
ual amiable fashion. "Only I'm engag- |
ed for this dance and have lost my
partner"
That's my own FIX" declared Pol
lock. but my errand is brief. Let ms
step out here"
He led the day to a door opening up |
on the main stairway OF the building
and they paused there. Pollock with
his back TO the door. facing Balcomb.
He carried one glove In his hand and
was very trim and erect in his evening
clothes.
"MT. Balcomb, ] was so unfortunate
as 10 overhear your conversation OF
moment agO-with some one l didn't
know. but that doesn't matter-in
which you referred TO a young lady-a
young lady who came here tonight
under your escort. In terms that gem
tleman would not use"
"As a confessed eavesdropper I don't
believe Il is necessary for you to say
anything further" said Balcomb, with
heat. and he took a step toward the
door Of the assembly-room.