""'ST
MS,..-, JMJiClWi
Zelda Dameron
fly
MEREDITH NICHOLSON
Coryrisht. 1004. by TIm BoMm-MotO! Co.
CITAPTER XVII. (Continued.)
He decided to go direct to Dameron
and speak to him of the defect In the
deed, more from curiosity as to whit
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 en
the score of the old relationship be
tween Carr and Dameron. Carr was
out of reach; Leigh ton did not even
know his exact address at this time.
And there was old Rodney Merriam,
his best friend, and there was Zelda!
Dameron sat at his desk with a mass
of papers before him as Lelghton 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
Lelghton dreamily. Then suddenly, us
though Just recalling Lelghton, ho
smiled and rose from his chair.
"My dear Mr. Lelghton, this is a rare
. honor; I am delighted to see you, sir."
He had never greeted Lelghton so
cordially before.
"Pardon me ,Mr. Dameron, I hava
come on an Impertinent errand."
"I can't Imagine it," said the old man,
graciously.
"But I do so on the score of your old
friendship with Mr. Carr. He Is absent
or I should have referred the subject
of my errand to him. You undoubtedly
have your own counsel In Mr. Carr's
absence."
Myself! I have enjoyed Mr. Carr's
advice through so many years that I
reel I have a fair knowledge of the law
We have both" and he Indicated Mor
ris by a gesture "we have both en
joyed the instruction of an excellent
preceptor," and he bowed over his
hands. "Well, sir!"
"I have Just happened to learn of a
deed given by you to the Patoka Land
and Improvement Company for a block
or lots lying south of town. Of cours3,
it Is a pure oversight, but you neglect
ed to get an order of court, approving
the sale. I thought I would mention it
to you7 It is a sale ot some Import
ance. And now I am sure you will
pardon me."
Morris turned toward the door, but
the old man rose and extended his
hand.
"Ah," he began, with a droll air of
coquetry, "we have had the same pre
ceptor! You have a capital eye, Mr.
Lelghton. I quite admire It In you;
and I thank you. I am aware of the
provision you Indicate. But I have pro
vided for it The Judge Is away from
home just now and the gentlemen to
whom I have sold were anxious to get
title without delay. It doesn't look
julte regular, I admit My duties as
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 Lelghton went out
Cameron's manner had been odd; tha
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.
Morris had never quite made Dameron
Out, and he was not satisfied with an
explanation that the poorest lawyer at
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 a few
hours before.
The bubble that Ezra Dameran had
blown upon the air was near the end
of Its Derllous vovaee. His dream of
corn at a dollar a bushel a dream
wrought of the filmiest shadows was
dispelled. The danger of a great de
Structlon of corn by mid-September
frosts had passed. A member of the
Chicago firm of brokers through whom
he had been trading, had called th.it
day, having paid a visit to Mariona
merelv 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.
Lelghton's call had made Dameron
uneasy. He had squandered his own
property months before; and now Zel
fla's estate was largely dissipated; and
he faced the necessity of rendering a'i
account of his stewardship within n
few hours. Lelghton undoubtedly
knew something of the transactions by
which the real estate held by Ezra
Dameron, trustee, had been sold; and 1
Lelghton 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 a year perhaps forever
the fact that the greater part of Zel
da's property was gone. But first he
must get Into his own hands the op
tion he had given Balcomb for the
ale of the creek strip. The sale had
hung fire unexpectedly; but he rejoiced
that this property had been saved un
til the last; he firmly believed that he
Should ultimately bring back to the
mp'ty 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, all would be well again; but he
must retain his hold upon what re
mained of Zelda's property. Capital
would be necessary for his future op
erations. The creek strip must b
saved and held for a greater price than
the option carried. He sent at once for
Balcomb, who came In looking a trifle
annoyed.
"I wish you wouldn't sent for me t
the busiest hour of my busiest day.
Mr. Dameron. I suppose you want to
know about the purchase of the creek
trip. Well, we're not quite ready to
close It to-day. That's a big schema
and all our money Isn't paid In yet"
"Then the option I must have back
the option at once." And the old nua
pok In a peremptory tone that was In
marked contrast with the mildly in
sistent note he had of late been using.
"Not at all. sir. That Is a thirty-day
cp'ion and has ten days longer to run."
-To be sure; but the trust expires to
soorrow; I had no right to Mad the,
3
estate beyond my trusteeship. To
morrow Is my daughter's birthday. My
administration of her affairs Is ended.
I must trouble you to give ma the pa
per."
"Not much, I won't! We've been de
layed for a few days; but you've got
to carry out the deal. That was part
of the consideration when we took your
lots; and moreover you accepted mon
ey on the option. The trusteeship
doesn t cut any ice. Of course, your
daughter Is morally, if not legally,
bound by your acts. I can't stop any
longer. Before the 10th of October we'll
be ready to close, and meanwhile you'll
please be good enough to remember
that approval of the sale of those lots.
Some of these people we're selling to
may be silly enough to have the title
looked Into and I don't want any non
sense about It You remember I fixed
all that with my company to please
you merely to get that option. My
own hands are clean, you understand.
If anything happens. Good day, Mr,
Dameron."
"But wait I can't do It; I must
have that option " began Dameron,
and there was a pitiful whine In his
voice: but Balcomb went out and
slammed the door.
J. Arthur Balcomb had enjoyed a
successful year. Things were running
smoothly with him; he had no doubt
In the world that he could enforce his
option on the creek strip of land
whenever he wished. He knew Zelda
Dameron, and he was quite convinced
that she was not a girl to avoid obliga
tions incurred by her father.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Morris expected Rodney Merriam to
manifest wrath and Indignation at the
recital of .Ezra Dameron's ill-doing,
but the old gentleman In Seminary
Square listened in silence, and at the
end asked:
"Well, what are we going to do
about It?"
"That's the rub there's not much
of anything that you can do. The trust
Is a wide-open thing. He isn't requir
ed to report to anybody and he gives
no bond; but he must get the court's
approval before he sells anything; and
then he must reinvest the money in
other realty. It Is significant that he
has been selling at desperate prices
toward the end of his trusteeship. He
must be hard up."
Merriam had never spoken of his
brother-in-law to Lelghton except In
terms of respect, and he hesliated
now.
"My sister's idea In making that
will," he began, quietly, "was to deal
generously with a blackguard. It was
her pride. She had made a mistake."
He paused and the blood rushed to
his face. He was checking his wrath
with difficulty.
"He had ruined her life. We were
all opposed to her marrying Ezra
Dameron; but she was not a child,
but a grown woman. She left her prop
erty to Zelda through him; and she
wouldn't admit to the rest of us, even
at the end, that Bhe did not trust him.
She doubtless thought his avarice
would protect her child."
"As near as I can make out, all the
property that Mr. Dameron will be
able to turn over to his daughter will
be the farm out here and the old home
stead and the creek property. He sold
the Dameron Block about twe months
ago. He has sold the original holdings
and he has not bought any other real
property with the money, as the will
provided. There Is, you know, no pen
alty for a non-performance of the ob
ligations of the trust His needs have
undoubtedly grown quite recently, for
he has been doing business with Bal
comb fooling away the property.
Maybe he's Insane!"
"Don't be a fool; he's sane enough;
he's a thief, that's all!" declared Rod
ney, Irascibly.
"If Miss Dameron wished to take
advantage of her rights she might have
this last sale set aside. I will under
take to do that"
"And a nice lot of publicity we't get
out of It too. No, sir, we won't do
that sort of business. My family has
lived In this town a good many years;
and some of us have been fools, and
some of us have failed; but Zelda has
the right key. She's pitched It pretty
high; but we'll keep It at the same
note, if we can. How much did he
get for those lots?"
"Twenty thousand dollars; but no
doubt my friend Balcomb kept a hand
some commission. I'll rather enjoy
settling with him."
"He's one of the Jewels produced by
our college. Isn't he?"
"He was the bright particular star
of my class. He was well fitted by na
ture to be a clerk in a rural general
store, or more likely, a barker for a
circus side-show or the advance agent
for a hair tonic. His education ruined
him. He has the smooth facility of
the superficial mind even showed
some literary gift and wrote the best
essays in the class."
"1 know the type. A short horse,
soon curried."
'There's the option on that piece of
ground out on the creek. It might pos
sibly be binding on Miss Dameron after
the trusteeship has been closed. Bal
comb's pretty smooth, and if the old
man is in straits, you can't tell what
he'll do."
"Let him blow It all in, Morris. I
shall be disappointed is there's a cent
left He can have the money. I want
the girl."
"Balcomb Is undoubtedly swindling
his associates In the land company;
they are quite likely to squeal. Bal
comb wouldn't hesitate about throwing
the blame for any irregularity on Dam
eron." "Let him do It What do we care
for Dameron!"
"But I thought you wanted to avoid
a scandal, for Miss Dameron s sake
for all your sakes. I want to do the
best thing and the right thing. You
are not anxious for publicity."
"Most certainly not"
"We've got to approach Miss Darner-
I on, and tell her the whole matter. It
1 la not a pleasant thing to do, but if
we get her help If that should seem
the best way "
They were deeply engrossed and did
not hear the bell or the servant open
lng the front door.
"Uncle Rodney!"
Both men sprang to their feet Zel
da stood in the library door.
"Glad to see you, Zee," said her un
cle, quietly.
She looked from one to the other and
nodded t Morris.
"You don't look so awfully glad,
must say. If I've come In upon a con
splracy I'll take myself off. The gloom
here Is so thick you could grow mush
rooms In It"
"I'm glad you happened in, Zee,
There's something I wish to speak to
you about. We may as well discuss it
now; and If It's agreeable to you.
should like Mr. Lelghton to stay. It's
a legal matter that we may want him
to advise us about"
"You have a serious air. I have you
haven't been breaking any laws, you
two. Certainly, Mr. Lelghton may
stay."
"Sit down, Morris," said Merriam, de
liberately.
Zelda had taken a chair In the cornur
away from the smoldering fire, and
Marrlam found the chair that he liked
least, with an unformed idea that such
self-lmmolatlon fitted him better for
an unpleasant task. He did not begin
Immediately, and while he collected his
thoughts Zelda watched him with
amusement
"If you knew how funny you look,
Uncle Rodney, I'm sure you'd laugh.
And you seem a little ultra-serious,
too, Mr. Lelghton. Please, uncle, don't
scold mel"
"Yes. Yes, to be sure," said Mer
rlam, absent-mindedly, and Lelghton
and Zelda exchanged a smile. "I want
to speak to you about your property,
There are some things connected with
your affairs that you must know.
"But father attends to everything
you'll certainly waste your talents on
me. Do let us talk of something cheer
ful."
"You know that your property, what
your mother had and wished to give to
you, was left In trust Your father is
the trustee."
"Yes, I know that."
"Your father's powers have been ab
solute. He Is not required to to give
an accounting to any. one except, of
course, to you, when he turns over the
property on your birthday that is, to
morrow."
"Yes, I believe to-morrow Is the first
of October. I understand perfectly
that mother wished me to know that
she trusted father as she expected me
to trust him. That Is all very simple.
"Everything was left to your father's
discretion, but there were a few minor
requirements. In case he should sell
real estate, he was to get the approval
of the court; and he was to buy other
real estate with whatever he realized."
"That's probably Important but not
amusing. I really dropped In to ask
what you were going to give me for
my birthday. I'm almost sorry I came."
'Your father has sold some of the
real estate "
"Of course. You escape a lot of trou
ble by not having real estate, so father
says taxes and all that But onaa
more, pardon me!"
The color was dying out of her faoe
and she twisted her fingers nervously.
Her heart was beating fiercely. It had
come at last this hour In which she
must face an attack upon her father.
She had known that It would come, and
she knew that she should meet it It
angered her that the terms her uncle
used were unfamiliar. Law and busi
ness were unknown worlds to her. She
again followed her uncle's recital close
ly; he was speaking with a sharp pre
cision that he had never used before
in talking to her.
"Your father has sold a great deal of
your property," he repeated; "and It
appears that through neglect" he hes
itated or forgetfulness, the court's
approval was not secured in at least
one case. Of course, this can be cor
rected." (To be continued.)
TOa CONSPICUOUS IN C0L0B.
United States Will o Longer lluv
Gray Homes In Its Cavalry.
The gray charger, long an Inspira
tion for the poets of chivalry, Is now
passe. So say the high officials of tho
war department who look after the
purchase of horses for the United
States cavalry.
He may be Just as vigorous, intelll
gent and faithful as his brothers of
another color, but he's too conspicu
ous, they tell us, too apt to get his
$200 hide filled with lead. So he has
to go. Horsemen of the National
stock yards can no longer sell grays
to the government, which they main
tain Is bad business all around.
Uncle Sam formerly owned $240,000
worth of horses of this color. One
troop in every regiment was known
as the "Gray Troop." But on inves
tigation the department decided that
bo much money in living targets was
a bad investment, for in these days
of high-power rifles - the gray troop
would be a shining mark for the In
fantry of the enemy before the bays
and blacks and browns and sorrels
could get close enough to be distin
guished from the scenery.
Carina; a Cramp.
Is It In the leg? Does It come in
the night? It may be easily relieved.
Simply have a good strong cord. Then
you are ready for the cramp. When it
comes wind the cord around the place.
Wind It rather tight, then give each
end a sharp pull. That will relieve the
cramp, which will not come on again
the same night. For a permanent cure
of these spasms one should go to a
physician. Philadelphia Record.
Restless It or si tr.
"Before their marriage he said the
should be treated like a queen."
"Well," answered Miss Cayenne, "he
has kept his word after a fashion. His
household Is very like one of those
little European monarchies."
When a girl marries in haste
it's
wmstlmes her last chance.
TWO DAINTY COSTUMES
USLIN DRESS. This dress
is in printed muslin with
pale blue ground; the sim
ple little bodice has a
square yoke trimmed with
ace appliques and edged with Valen-'
:lennes lace.
The two flounces on skirt are trim
med with larger appliques. The ful
ness of skirt Is drawn In above the
flounces with a band of very wide
ribbon arranged In a large bow at left
side of front
Hat of fancy straw trimmed with
ribbon.
Materials required: 8 yards muslin
30 inches wide, lace appliques accord
ing to size, 2 yards lace, 3 yards rib
bon. BLACK SATIN ALL THE RAGE
Shade and Material Has Entirely Cap
tured the Fancy of Devotees
of Fashion.
Black satin has certainly captivated
Fashion! First, with the tailored suit
with long, graceful lines; then with
the Paquin scarf or mantle, and now
with the chio little chapeau, Bays the
Philadelphia Press.
While this latest millinery creaation
is a forerunner of autumn modes,
women like it so much that they have
not .delayed a minute to wear it.
When a woman called It "simply
ideal" the other day she certainly hit
the mark, as it is Ideal for almost any
occasion, i
It Is a creation between a mush
room with high dome crown and tiny
brim and a poke bonnet. Fashioned
in a severe style, with soft folds of
satin around the crown and small bow
or rosettes at the side. ' And a dainty
frill of white or ecru Valenciennes
must edge the brim Inside to give the
necessary softness to the face. Truly
picturesque hat, . yet practical, so
much so that a woman can take one
as the only hat" for a week-end trip
quite appropriate to wear with a tai
lored suit, ideal combination with a
lingerie dress, and Will be charming
for evening.
One of these hats recently seen In
London was simply trimmed with two
ostrich plumes one at either side of
the front and standing perfectly
straight
Parlslennes are very enthusiastic
about black satin and Is it any won
der when such modes have been de
signed for their pleasure and to en
hance their beauty?
Newest lace veil Is a charming com
bination of black and white. This not
only signifies the vogue of this delight
ful color combination, but provides a
most charming veil- for blonde or
brunette. The net or mesh part is of
white, while the chantilly designs are
black.
Natural color lace veils are new,
too. These are for women, who prefer
things to match, and who wear natural
color straw hats with pocgee suits or
frocks. ,
To Make 8tocklngs Last.
In order to make her new stockings
last beyond their time, one clever
woman rubs parafflne on the heels and
toes before putting the stockings on.
They wear wonderfully under this
treatment
Another woman, who considers this
method uncomfortable (though, really.
It Is not so), runs a stocking darner
Into her new hosiery and darns it
round and round at heel and toe with
flue darning cotton. Done once, it
never seems to be needed again, and
the stockings last practically forever.
To Restore a Faded Color.
To restore the faded color of the
child's fine blue silk stockings, dip
them after washing into hot water tn
which is dissolved a little (not too
much) common bluing and several
small tumps of alum. Those which
have faded to nearly white can be
simply colored In this way to do serr-
So as lone as they will waaa
PS
Dainty Dress Cream delaine with
a mauve ring embroidered on it is se
lected for our dainty design which,
though drawn with a hat, would be so
useful for semi-evening wear.
The skirt Is trimmed with a deep
ce band edged at the foot with
mauve silk about Vi Inches deep,
scalloped at the top, which also is
edged with silk; the material is gath
ered here and at the waist
The bodice has an eeflctive lace
trimming edged with silk; the open
ing at front is filled with delaine, and
the sleeves are set to silk bands.
Hat of coarse cream straw, trimmed
with mauve bows.
Materials required: 3 yards delaine
42 inches wide, 4 yards lace 20 inches
wide, 2Vs yards silk 22 Inches wide.
FOR THE HOME DRESSMAKER
Some Ideas That It Will
Keep Always in
Memory.
Be Well to
the
Dark red linen makes a girlish
dress that can be worn with a coat or
lingerie waist The material laun
ders nicely.
Some walking suits are trimmed
with pompadour ribbon on the collar,
narrow revers, cuffs and belt, the rib
bon matching the stripe of the . ma
terial. When altering a blouse for any rea
son it is a great mistake to move the
shoulder seam to the front A far
better plan is that of dropping it
backward instead of forward.
Vanity bags for dancing parties are
most attractively made of dainty rib
bon, in the form of a tiny bag, which
holds powder and puff ball, while the
botton on the outside has a mirror,
held in place by a shirred piece of
ribbon, after first being glued to the
rib-covered cardboard, which forms
the inside of the bag.
OF VIOLET BATISTE.
A summer gown of violet batiste of
this sort might be fashioned from ons
of the many lovely robes now on sale
at small cost The embroidery is, of
course. In same color, but the lace
used Is white. Finish the costume
with a white Neapolitan hat, loaded
with double violets.
8atln and Foulard,
The latest combination of material
is figured foulard and plain satin in
the predominating shade of the silk.
The satin is used for the gown Itself
and tho foulard in a deep hem effect
or as underskirt, for s tunic. Ths
foulard also forms the under lee ts
and boleros of ths new seml-emptrs
costunrss.
WhenYou
Take Cold
One way Is to pay no attention
to it; at least not until it de
velops into pneumonia, or
bronchitis, or pleurisy. An
other way is to ask your doc
tor about Ayer's Cherry Pec
toral. If he says, " The best
thing for colds," then take it.
Do as he says, anyway.
A
We publiih our formula
w e Dunn .iooqoi
J from our medioines
iers
Wo urse you to
oonsult your
duotor
When the bowels are constipated, poi
sonous substances are absorbed into the
bloodinstead of beingdaily removed from
the body as nature intended. Knowing
this danger, doctors always inquire about
the condition of the bowels. Ayer's Pills.
Mads by ths J. O. Ajn Co., LowsU, 1
Dr. B. E. Wright
Have your teeth out ar.d plate and bridge work
done. For out-of-town patrons we finish plats
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PRICES:
?K Molar &.... $5.00
-Vi - a 571 fcy.. I-a, 13.50
'&J"J UUFiUiw Sis.
EauIFifai... $1.00
"7f Sirrar FiBiap . . . . 50t as
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to
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All Work Fully Guaranteed for Tiftccn Year
Dr. B. E. Wright Co.
342 Washington St..
Portland, Oregon
Take car at depot and transfer to Washing-ton St
FINKE BROS.
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ATRIP TO PORTLAND FREE
CUT 1ATES IN
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ft Tt..Vi Painless Extraction Free
8ilver Fillings Soo
'a aw, 1 i Oold Mlllngs 75c
II K. Gold Crowns S3
v. . m rorceiein crowns 93
'Trv r Miliar ri..M r .
f?V Bridge Work, 22 K. Goid!.!!sj
Inlay Fills. Pure Oold S3
Very Nice Rubber Plats. . . .M
Beat Rubber Plate on Earth 7
ALL THIS WORK IS GUARANTEED.
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OSTUN DENTISTS, 5 In 31 Morrison, FartUs
Entrance 291H Morrlion. oppotite PoKofhce sad Meier .
Frank. Established ia Portland 10 years. Open ercninfs
antil 8 sad Sundays until 12t JO. for people who work.
Drink
Cured in
Three
Daus
'The Neat J J J.
Cured Me'
nuun
No Hypodermic Injections.
You can take this treatment at the Institute
or your home, and your money will be returned
if a perfect cure is not affected. Investigate
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us for information. Personal and financial
reference on application. For full Informa
tion, phone. vrito or call at the
NEAL INSTITUTE
Phong. Marshall 2400
.954 Hall St. PORTLAND, ORE..
Union Painless Dentists
Out-of-Town People
Hriould reippmlMT thm onr fore is o orimnir.fMl that
me von do thir entire i'mwn, HridR and Plnte work
in a dux if ni.iiry. I'OHitlvely pninlt eirnu-W
ins fn alien ilaitn or brulKfa nre onlprcd. We m.
mo (he uint iw.ii. Hive teth and root, without the
ju.t inin. No students. Do iinoertftinty. hut artfrlnl.
Int. who do the ojuet auientino and careful work.
Lady attendant.
hull S-t of Teeth $5.00
Bridge Work or Teeth without Plates $3 50 to $5
Gold Crowns J3.50 to 5.0(
Porcelain Cmwna $3.50 to $5.00
Gold or Porcelain Fillings $1.00 Uo
Silver Killinirs 50c toil. OO
Best Plate Made $7.50
No chanres for Psinleas Extracting when other
work is don. 15 years' Guarantee with all work.
Hours. 8 a. m. to 8 p. m. HilVs Morrison Street.
C. Gee Wo
The Chinese Doctor
This wondeful man has
made a lifeatudy of the
properties of Roots,
Herbs and Barks, and
Is tiring the world ths
benefit of his services.
A N. Mercury. Poisons
lij or Drugs Used. No
,J Operations or Catting
Guarantees to cur. Catarrh. Asthma. Lnntr,
Stomach and Kidney troublea, and all Privat.
l)im eaaes of M a and Women.
A SURE CANCER CURE
JnstreretTed from Pekin, China safe. Burs
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If yon cannot call writs for symptom blank
sod circular. Inclose 4 cents in stamps.
CONSULTATION PRtC
The C Gee Wo Medicine Co.
1C2H rirst St, car. Merrtson, Parti.. Or.
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