Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-10-06
CHAPTER XvI1.-(Continued.)


the old man would say than with any
Idea of helping the situation on his
part, considered professionally or per-
sonally; but he justified himself On
the score of the old relationship be-
tween Carr and Dameron. Carr was
out of reach; Leighton did not even
know his exact address at this time.
And there was old Rodney Merriam,
his best friend, and there was Zeldal
Cameron sat at his desk with a mass
OF papers before him as Leighton en-
tered The old man wore a serious air,
to which the mass of papers contrib
uted. A puzzled look crossed his face
as he raised his eyes and regarded
Leighton dreamily. Then suddenly, is
though just recalling Leighton, he
smiled and rose from his chair.
My dear Mr.. Leighton, this is rare
honor; I am delighted to see you, sir"
He had never greeted Leighton so
cordially before.
Pardon me Mr.. Dameron, have
come on an impertinent errand."
4 can't imagine it," said the old man,
graciously.
but l do so on the score of your old
friendship with Mr. Carr. He is absent
or / should have referred the subject
of my errand to him. You undoubtedly
have your own counsel-in Mr.. Carrs
absence"
Myself! I have enjoyed Mr.. Carr's
advice through so many years that l
feel have fair knowledge of the law.
We have both"-and he indicated Nor
ris by a gesture-"we have both en-
Joyed the instruction of an excellent
preceptor," and he bowed over his
hands. We'll, sir"
have just happened to learn of a
deed given by you to the Patoka Land
and Improvement Company for a block
OF lots lying south of town. OF course,
1t Is pure oversight, but you neglect
ed to get an order of court approving
the sale. l thought 1 would mention it
to you. 1t is a sale OF some import
ance. And now l am sure you will
pardon me-"
Morris turned toward the door, but
the old man rose and extended his
hand.
All" he began, with a droll air Of
coquetry, I'VE have had the same pre-
ceptor! You have a capital eye, Mr.
Leighton. l quite admire 1t in you;
and / thank you. l am aware of the
provision you indicate. But have pro
vided for it. The Judge is away from
home just now and the gentlemen to
whom l have sold were anxious to get
title without delay. 1t doesn't look
quite regular l admit. My duties MS
trustee are nearly at an end. Only a
few days more of responsibility. We
will make a new deed if necessary
but the purchaser will be protected. We
are all-all honorable men!"
Very good, sir; I am sorry to have
disturbed you"-and Leighton went out
Dameron's manner had been odd; the |
old man had frequently spoken to him |
at home, but usually with cold formal
ity; but his greeting a moment before
had been with exuberant cordiality. |
Norris had never quite made Dameron |
out, and he was not satisfied with an |
explanation that the poorest lawyer al
the Mariona bar would reject instantly. |
And the old man had deliberately lied |
about the absence of the judge of the |
court, whom Morris had seen but few
hours before.
The bubble that Ezra Dameran had |
blown upon the air was near the end |
of its perilous voyage. His dream Of
corn at a dollar a bushel-a dream t
wrought of the flmiest shadows-was |
dispelled. The danger of a great de-
struction of corn by September |
frosts had passed. A member Of the |
Chicago firm of brokers through whom |
he had been trading, had called that |
day, having paid a visit to Mariona |
merely to see what manner of man it |
was who had cast money upon the |
waters so prodigally, maintaining a |
fantastic dream of values at the ex-
pense of a small fortune.
Leighton's call had made Dameron |
uneasy. He had squandered his own |
property months before; and now Eel
da's estate was largely dissipated; and |
he faced the necessity of rendering al |
account of his stewardship within n
few hours. Leighton undoubtedly |
knew something of the transactions by |
which the real estate held by Ezra |
Dameron, trustee, had been sold; and IL |
leighton knew, then Rodney Merriam,
who was at home again. would un-
doubtedly know at once. He must save
himself; a plan had formed in his mind
by which he could hide his duplicity
and put off for year-perhaps forever
the fact that the greater part of Eel
da's property was gone. But first ne
must get into his own hands the op-
tion he had given Balcomb for the
sale of the creek strip. The sale had
hung fire Unexpectedly; but he rejoiced
that this property had been saved un-
I'll the last; he firmly believed that he
should ultimately bring back to the
empty treasury the money he had
thrown away; but while he waited he
must study more minutely the condi-
tions that created prices. In a short
while. ell would be well again; but he
must retain his hold upon what re-
NAMED OF Zelda's property. Capital
would be necessary for his future op-
rations. The creek strip must be
.aved and held for greater price than
the option carried He sent at once for
Balcomb, who came In looking a trihe
annoyed
Il wish you wouldn't sent for me AT
he busiest hour Of my busiest day.
.fr. Dameron. I suppose you want 10
snow about the purchase Of the creek
.trip. Well we're not quite ready 10
,lose IL to-day. That's a big scheme
md all our money isn't paid in yet"
Then the option-I must have back
he ontIon at once" And the old man
Ipo<e IN a peremptory tone that was in
contrast with the mildly In
Iistent note he had OF late been using.
mot at all, sir. That IS thirty-day
,ptfon and has ten days longer to run"
- -. - tha trfrcf awnfraa fo- !