Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-06-30
CHAPTER M-(Con+inued

YER"
ooh. mortgages aren't at all serious
not necessarily fatal-if you don't
take cold or expose yourself before its
over"
How does one contract a mort
gagego said Zelda.
q caught mine at college," said OIL
I've we blew our substance on edit
cation I just found it out recently
Mother has been carrying the burdan
Of it all by herself. The subject isn't
pleasant. Let US talk OF something
else"
Where do you keep your MORTGAGE
asked Zelda. half-sertousIy. How does
one get at the beast?"
ours seems to be in bank just at
present" answered Olive, evasively.
THAT sounds formidable. But its
too bad that you have to move. Har-
rison street is the most charming
street in town. can't think Of you as
living anywhere else except in this
pretty house"
You'll have to, for we move almost
at once, as they say in stories"
Zelda's father continued TO pay q
sum every month to her credit at the
bank and money matters were rarely
or never mentioned between them she
did not understand how anxious he was
to avoid any clash with Rodney Mer-
RAM over the management OF ner
property; and she did not appreciate
the smaIIness Of the sum he gave her
compared with the full amount nef
property should have earned. ZeId3
was spoken Of in Mariona as an nelr-
ess, and 1t was the general BELIEF that
she would have not only the property
left her by her mother, but the large
estate which Ezra Cameron had been
accommodating through many years.
There, too, were Mrs. Forrest and Rod
ney Merriam. who were childless; poth
were rich by local standards.
When, one afternoon a week later,
she decided to speak to her father
about olives perplexity, she went to
his office in the Cameron Block md
made no effort to conceal the fact that
she had come on business. Her father
was porting over his accounts as she
stood suddenly on the threshold OF the
private room.
why, Zee, what brings you here
he exclaimed
"I came on an errand," said Zelda. I
don't think your housekeeping is well
done" she added, glancing about the
room.
Tt serves me very we'll" said the
old man. Business is only to be con-
sidered as business
I have just heard that Olive Mer-
Ram and her mother are in trouble
that is, money trouble"
He looked at her quickly. and search
ed her with his sharp eyes. The Mer-
Rams had been trading on Zeldas
friendship, he decided. and he smiled
to himself as he settled back in his
chair, determined to thwart any quix-
otic plan that Zelda might breach in
their behalf.
Il imagine that they have very lit
tIe-very little" he said.
q know nothing of their affairs; but
I have just learned that they expect
to move, and when l asked Olive why,
she said they owed debt they couldn't
pay. Do you happen to know what
this debt it?" she asked.
Yes; I hold the mortgage. It's in
the bank for collection"
she didn't tell me that you held it.
She said bank had it. The money
was borrowed to pay Olives way
through school. The debt is to you"
ITO me as trustee" he corrected.
rs It. then. something of mine. faith
err
Your surmise is quite correct. I
hold as trustee for you, several notes
given by Mrs Merriam. They're now
in default and in the bank for collec-
ton"
I'm sorry didn't know that earlier
father. I wish you had told me. 1
have been seeing a good deal of my
Cousin Olive. I like her immensely;
have been to her house Familiarity, and
she has been to see me pretty often.
when she could get away from her
work. l didn't know, of course. that
was even remotely their creditor The
situation isn't exactly comfortable
now that l know it."
I'm sorry that the matter should
have risen; but there Is no reason why
they should transfer their burdens to
your shoulders Zee"
7 hope you understand that they
have never mentioned this subject or
limited that they owed you or me. I
only know that they feel they must
leave the house I fancy they are be-
ms pushed by the bank-to pay the
money"
The bank has, Of course. no alter
native IN the matter. It's their bust
ness to collect"
But If the owner OF the note doesn't
want to push the people who made the
debt"
1T is very bad business to carry
overdue paper. New notes have to be
given in such cases
It was clear to Zelda that her father
had no sympathy with her liking for
the Merriams or her wish to HELM them,
in their difficulty. She was sure thar
she could manage in some way TO sron
the pressure that was being brought ~
bear on them, and she hoped to do If
through her father without going 10
her uncle, who would, she knew, give
her any money she might ask. after he
had made row about ii. But it plea :
ed her to carry the matter through
with her father.
What is the amount, father?"
Two thousand dollars-with inter
est; with accumulated interest"
Zelda smiled in relief She co,,l5
comprehend two thousand dollars.
And how much is the house worth -
About five thousand possibly. But
there is no market for such properrv
Just at present The trend of real es
tate IS all In another direction"
Il want to carry this loan. if 1t has
to be carried, personally. I want YOU
TO make it over to me, and then take
1t out Of my allowance, or charge II "a
me in the trusteeship. I suppose ]
might buy IT OF you-that would be
more businesslike; but I haven't more
than two hundred dollars. Maybe you'd
sell 1t TO me for that, father as a spe-
cial savor?"
1t is to guard you against Just such
philanthropy that I am your trustee
You know nothing of these things
Zee"
But my own aunt and cousin."
He bent his head slightly; but he
was afraid to refuse to grant ZeIda'S
wish; but perhaps in permitting heI
to help her unfortunate relatives ne