Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-05-26
CHAPTER "

apex Oh a triangle. The 1Tn mad DeeD
tenants Of the same rooms for many
years. There was a battered tin sign
at the entrance, but its inscription
could he read only by persons who re-
membered It 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 it had been the Gus
tom Of the members Of the firm of
Knight, Kittredge & Carr to assemble
every morning at O'Clock in the IL
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 al
ways enjoyed these discussions i'm
mensely, for Governor Kittredge and
Senator Knight had known men and
manners as well as the law; and Mi
chael Carr knew Plato and the Greek
and Latin poets as he knew the way
home.
These morning conferences were still
continued in Morris Leighton's day,
though Knight and Kittredge had long
been gone. It might be a topic from
the days news that received attention
or some new book-MichaeI Carr was
q persistent novel reader-or it might
be even bit of social gossip that was
discussed. Mr.. Carr was a man Of de-
Iiberate habits and when he set apart
this half-hour for a talk with his
young men, as he called them, it made
no difference that the president Of a
great railway cooled his heels III the
outer office while the Latin poets were
discussed in the library, or that other
dignihed Caucasians waited while ne
gro suffrage was debated.
Ezra Cameron was waiting for him
this morning, for it was the first Of
October; and on the first of every
month Ezra Cameron went to the Of
fees to discuss his personal affairs. He
was of an economical turn, and he
made it a point to combine as many
questions as possible in a single con-
sultauon. His relations with the Of
fees were Of long standing and dated
back to a day when Knight, Kittredge
& Carr were a new firm and Ezra
Cameron was a young merchant whom
people respected, and whose prospects
ia life were bright.
While Ezra Cameron waited for Mi
chael Carr, Rodney Merriam was walk
ing slowly from his house in Seminary
Square down High street to Jefferson,
swinging his stick, and graveIy return
ing the salutatiOns of friends and ac-
quaintances. He came presently to
the offices of Knight, Kittredge & Carr.
He stepped into the reception room
and found 1t empty The door into the
library was closed but he could hear
Cars voice; and he knew that the
lawyer was holding one of those morn
ing talks with his clerks and students
that Morris Leighton had often de-
scribed. He 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 MIR
Carr" and went in.
Ezra Cameron was still looking out
OF the window when the door. was
flung open He supposed Carr had
come, and having been gazing out into
the sunny court, his sight did not &C
commodate itself at once to the dim
light of the little room.
All, Mr.. Carr" he began.
Good morning, Ezra" said Rodney
Merriam, blandly. Cameron knew the
voice before he recognized his brother
in-law, and after a seconds hesitation
he advanced with a great air of cor
diality.
why, Rodney what brings you into
the haunts of the law? I thought you
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-excepting
Sundays, of course"
so I have understood. I don't want
to see Mr.. Carr, however; 1 want to
see you"
Cameron glanced at his brother-in-
law anxiously. He had believed Mer-
RAMS appearance to be purely acct
dental and he was not agreeabIy dis
appointed to find that he had been
mistaken. He looked at the little clocI,
on Cars desk, and was relieved to
find that the lawyer would undoubt-
eddy appear in a few minutes
I should be glad at any other time.
Rodney, but MIR. Carr is very particu-
lar about his appointments"
4 have heard so, Ezra. What I
have to say to you win not interfere
with your engagement with Mr.. Carr.
been
ten years since enjoyed a converse
ton with YOU"
Better let the old times go-I-
am willing to let them so, Rodney"
And on that last occasion. if nv
memory serve me, believe I told YOU
that you were an Internal scoundrel -
You were very violent. very unjust;
but let it all so, Rodney. I treasure
no unkind feelings"
1t would be a source of real annoy
ance to me to have You think for a
moment that have changed my mind.
I want to have a word with YOU about
Zelda. She has chosen to so to live
with YOU"
Very loyal, very noble of her. I'm
sure I appreciate it."
7 hope YOU 90. She doesn't under
stand what contemplate hound YOU
are, and l don't intend to tell her. And
YOU may be quite sure that her Aunt
Julia win never tell her how Won
treated her mother-how YOU made her
life curse 10 her. I don't want YOU
TO think that because [ have let YOU
alone these ten years have forgotten
or forgiven You. l wouldn't trust you
to 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 sickly grin.
but he said nothing.
with this little preface think you
will understand that what I have
sought YOU out for is not to ask favors
but to give orders in view Of ices re-
turn"
But, Rodney. Rodney-that matter
needs no discussion. I shall hope CO
make my daughter happy in her faith
er's house, am her natural protect
Or"
You are, indeed; but a few instruc-
tions from me will be Of great assist
ance, Ezra. To begin with I want you
to understand that the first time
hear you have mistreated that girl OF
in any way made her uncomfortable
shall norsewhip YOU in front of the
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