Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-07-14


mutual interest that I'd like to speak
TO you about A beautiful night, gen
tlemen. Very much cooler here than in
the city, as you may have noticed"
And he went down the steps and out
upon the highway for his usual even
ing walk
"A remarkable man. your father.
Miss Cameron. He's quite the ideal
business man Of the old school," said
BaIcomb. we youngsters are quicker
on the trigger, but our aim isn't 90
sure. No, stree; your father is an ideal
business man"
He had spoken impressiveIy. He
would, in his own language, make
himself solid" when he had a chance
Leighton was talking to Olive, and
BaIcomb set about entertaining Zelda.
He ran on mOnotonously. He was anx-
ious to make an impression at once
without relinquishing the floor
L suppose you and Miss Merriam
do a lot of reading out here. What
are the books one ought to talk about"
We don't read much-except the
cook-books." replied Zelda
"Ha! ha! That is rich-from the
great Miss Cameron, too. I like that
I suppose a. matter of fact you real
ly spend your morning with the cIas-
sizes"
I'm sorry to disappoint you, but our
mornings are spent with cook-books
My cousin is writing a cookbook and
we're reading all the old ones to be
sure hers is all new. It's delightfully."-
exciting"
dr. -,
want to speak right now for an auto
graph copy of the first edition of that
book"
olive will be delighted" said Eel
da- It's designed, you know. for the
very young"
There it goes again. Everybody has
it in for me! Oh, we'll! My time will
comet"
It came in an unexpected way. Can
tain Pollock was riding up the drive
way. He was on very good terms 1T
The Beeches, and had been told that
while there were lights there was a
hope of finding some one at home.
Here comes another messenger
bearing tidings," said Balcomb, in his
most cheerful note. L hope 1t isn't
bad news"
NO; it's Captain Pollock. That
horse of his is a beauty, isn't IT? I
wish he would trade with me-" an
swered Zelda.
Leighton groaned inwardly at the
sight of Pollock. whom he liked well
enough ordinarily. He did not under
stand the reason for Balcomb's hur
ried flight, so that the humor of the
situation did not strike him
You may have Mr.. Balcomb's seat
there by the railing, if you like" said
Zelda to Pollock.
You do me too much honor" said
the officer. as he shook hands with
Leighton.
oh, l don't know!" and olives imi-
tation of Balcomb's information was so
true to life that they all laughed.
Il don't see why any one should
laugh" said Zelda.
I'm sure l don't" declared Pollock
He put back his arm against the rail-
ing. knocking down the box of candy
that Balcomb had left behind him.
"Ah. l beg everybody's pardon!"
Mr. Balcomb's feelings might be
hurt if he came back" suggested Eel
da
He won't come back; I'll wager an
other box he won't" replied the Off
ever. blandly, as he fumbled with the
string. Miss Cameron, permit me
I'm sure they're delicious. Chocolates
fancy, from the bonquet-and, Miss
Merriam. you will not decline. Mr.
Leighton. a little candy now and then
is relished by the wisest men. 1 pro-
pose Mr.. Balcombs health, to be eaten
sitting and in silence"
1t isn't polite to treat the gift of a
parting guest in that way" protested
Olive. I'm surprised at you, Captain
Pollock"
When a man is IN love, he becomes IL
master of harmless deceit and subter-
fuge. Morris Leighton had sought
Zelda Cameron tonight with a great
hope in his heart He did not intend
to miss a chance to talk to her alone
if he could help it. He had taken her
wrap from her, and purposely dropped
it; and he seemed to have difficulty in
finding it, although it was white
thing that one could not miss in the
moonlight. unless one were blind. But
Zelda paused when they reached Pol
locks horse, which whinnied and put
out its nose to her in a friendly way.
AS they reached the road, which lay
white in the moonlight, Ezra Cameron
came toward them, walking slowly, hat
in hand, and the two watched him
his queer shutting walk his head bent,
has gray hair touched with the silver
Of the moonlight.
Won't you come with US. father"
said Zelda, as they met in the road.
had my little constitutional Don't go
too far-there may be malaria abroad. ,
Leighton looked furtively at Zelda
She had greeted her father kindly, hap
PLY; but there was something repel d.
liant in Ezra Cameron. Leighton never
felt it more than tonight. That such
a girl should have father so wretched
seemed impossible; but the thought
quickened his love for her There was
something fine in her conduct toward
her father; her unfailing gentIeness
and patience with him had impressed
Leighton from the time of her home-
coming. She made a point of speaking
of him often and always with respect
Leighton was well aware that no one
else, with the single exception of Mi
chael Carr, ever spoke OF Ezra Damer-
on III any LIIlAS bOl ueIlS1On. HOQneY
Merriam never mentioned him at ALL
which was doubtless the safer way.
Farther along the road Pollock and OIL
i've were tentatively singing popular
song OF the hour.
Sing it aI-don't pick at 1t that
way" called Zelda
Sing it yourself. If you don't like
it." came back the answer from Olive.
There is only one song that I should
care to hear tonight" said Leighton,
after moment Of silence. It's the
only song that ever meant a great deal
to me"
"Oh. I know, One of Herr Schmidts
from his great operate triumph of last
winter Your taste is only fair, then"
1t goes back a little farther than
that. It's Traume-Tristan and Isolde,
wasn't it? Do you remember"
I have heard it sung. beautifully. in
Berlin she said, evasive!y
I never did. But I heard you sing
it once, and it has haunted me-"
Is that the one?" she asked. Yes;
it is about dreams"