St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current, 1910-07-22
CHAPTER l.


"She's like Margaret. she's really
one Of u.s." remarked Mrs. Forrest 10
her brother she carries herself az
Margaret did In her girihood, and she's
dark. aa we all are"
Il hope she's escaped the Damoron
traits. they're unattractlve." said Rod
aey Merriam.
Mra. Forrest and Zelda Dameron. her
piece. who were just homo from n fve
years absence abroad. had. no 20 speak,
stepped directly from the train Into
Mira. Carr'a drawing room. The place
was full OF women. old and younE,
and their animated talk blended.
Mrs. Carr was forcing tho season n
trife--it was near tho end of Soptem-
ber-but the dean OF famous college
for women had come 90 town unek-
peotediy. and II was not Mrs. Cars
way 20 lot heat or cold interfere with
Ter social Incllnationa. Mrs Forrest
and hor brother had ceased talking 10
watch their niece. The girls profile
was turned 10 them. and the old gem
tieman noted the good points OF her
face and figure. She was talking 10
several other girls. and II seemed 10
him that they showed her a deferenc@.
Zelda turned from her companions
suddenly. She crossed swiftly 20 her
uncle with a happy exclamation
This 10 indeed an oceaaioni be-
hold my long lost unelel" She seized
his hands eagerly.
"And you are Zelda-our little Ieel"
quite thati We must be aeauaint-
ed Perhaps We shall be friends. VINO
knows9 Aunt Julia promised 20 ar
range it-and I'm not used 20 being
disappointed"
Zelda was a name that had been
adopted In the Merriam family long
ago. A great many people had never
known that old Roger Merriam'a
wife'a name was Zelda, 30 generally
was Zee applied TO her even In her
old age. Margaret Dameron's child
had been called Little Zee while her
grandmother lived. and until her aunt
had taken her away; and now on her
temperance In Mariona. she was quite
naturally spoken OF az Zee Damron'
There was a wistfulness In the girls
eyes that touched Rodney Merriam by
the suggestion OF her dead mother. the
sister that had been the pride OF the
Merriams. Mrs. Forrest watched her
brother euFiously. She had speeulat-
ed much about this meeting. Rodney
Merriam was away from home great
deal He had reached Mariona al noon
from trip into Canada, and had gone
90 Mrs. carr's In pursuit OF his sister
Mrs. Forrest understood perfectly thar
her brother had come % Mrs, Carrs
tea chiefly that he might casually, and
without apparent interest inspect MS
niece. Rodney Merriam was wary 0f
acknowledgements with his relatives, He
A sal IA
AIariona. the only Merriams who could
safely be asked TO the same table, or
who were not likely 10 cause embar-
Fassment II they met anywhere. lie
had not spoken TO Ezra DamerOn, Eel
da's father, for ten years. and the name
Dameron was an offense In his nos
trils; but the girl was clearly Mer-
riam; she was the child OF his favor
ite sister, and he hoped IL would be
possible 10 like her.
yes, We shall be friends-much
more than friends" he said. kindly.
You must come and see me; Aunt
Julia has graduated me. and I'm back
on my native heath 10 stay"
Come and tell me what you have
learned In distant lands-and I'll tell
you what 10 forgetl Here's Morris
leighton; l want you TO know him,
Zee" said Rodney Merriam.
Merriam moved away through the
crowd, followed by his sister.
"You know Uncle Rodney very we'll.
don't your" said Zelda TO Leighton.
'He was always my hero When ! was
. little girl used 10 sit on a trunk
In his garret and watch him fence with
q German fencing master. II was
great fun"
Il sometimes fence with Mr.. Mer-
riam myself. i assure you that his
hand and eye have not lost their cum
ming"
Morris Leighton's social adventures |
had not lacked variety. He knew a |
good deal about girls. and while a |
young man is still under 80 the delu- |
sion serves all the purposes OF actual |
knowledge. Rodney Merriam had often |
spoken TO Leighton OF Zelda Damer- !
on's homecoming.
Zelda Dameron's return TO Mariona |
was more OF an event than she herself |
understood. The Merriams were an |
Interesting family; they were. indeed. |
one OF the first families. There were |
Merriams about whom people laughed |
cynically; but Mrs. Forrest did not be- |
long to this faction. nor did Rodney |
Merriam, OF whom most people stood |
In awe. There had been much specu-
tation. In advance OF Zelda's coming. |
as to her probable course when she
should return 20 Mariona with her
aunt Many had predicted thA' -As