The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1875-07-29
A GIRLS ROMANCE.

A UlhLS RUm mANCE.
BY F. W. ROBINSON.
CHAPTER III.
THE CONvALEsCENT.
Later that day-it was the day be-
fore Victor's departure-when Wray-:
ford and his ward were alone, the
former said, suddenly
Il shall be sorry to lose Victor; he:
is a modest young fellow, and he has
been of service to me: It will take
time to get over his absence"
Grace knew that Abel Wrayford
was watching her very intently as he
spoke-looking at her from his desk
in the corner, as though he were anx-
ious to learn if she were sorry too that
Victor was going away. She was
more sorry than she was aware of her
self at that time; but she did not
care to show any regret for the de-
parture of the young Frenchman even
to so old friend as Abel was. She
had not analysed her feelings respect
ing Victor DufoY; and as Victor had
simply seemed to regret the home he
was quitting, and the kindness he was
leaving behind him-not the people
50 much-it was not her place to af:
feet any particular regret. Besides,.
she was woman, and her womanly
instinct was to hide her real senti-
ments for the present and if Victor
did not care about his going away
that is, for losing sight of her-for-
ever, too why, it was not very like
ly that she was going to cry her eyes
out for him, or at least let any body
think-not even her dear, old-fash:
ioned, faithful g1ardian-that she
was indulging in that process surrep-
titiously.
II suppose we shall miss him." she
said, carelessly.
"Perhaps he will 60 back to France
and marry the young lady whom his
mother has in store for him." said
Abel Wrayford.
"Oh is there young lady in store
for him over there? p asked Grace,
more carelessly, although she workeda
little more energetically as she made
the inquiry.
Wrayford was near sighted, and
did not notice this.
$50 he tells me-a cousin of his,
with the same blood in her veins, and
who has been marked out for him
from the time that he was ten years
DID,"
"And he likes her, of course ?"
"He thinks that he shall like her
in time: his mother is sure that he
WILL" said Wrayford.
II don't admire such a match as
that| said Grace.
"Why not? 1t is the best Of match.
esinits way. Theyoung folk have time
to understand each other-to grow up
together, believing and trusting in
each other. There is nothing hasty
or foolish about it, Grace"
"No; but it is very unromantic,'
replied Grace.
care you romantic7" he asked
very anxiously. But Grace's merry
laugh at his suspicious treasured him
and he bent down with smile ove1
his manuscript again. He was glad
that Grace was not romantic, but
looked at life seriously and methodi
cally; and he was more than glaG
that she was not as sorry to part will
Victor Dufoy as he was. Convinced
of this, reading his wards heart lik'
an open book-it had always beer
easy to read, for she was free from
guile, and had not a secret from him
and she never would have, he was as
stred-he mooted another idea whicl
had been troubling him that morn
ing.
Il have been thinking, Grace
whether 1t is not possible to rende
Victor's stay in Greymoor pro6tabl
to him and me-"
Is tnat announcer craze, 9ardy
asked Grace, very demurely.
. mo, 1 don't think it is," he n
piled; "for Victor is useful, and th
only question is, whether there
work enough for the two of US. The,
!. is a great deal Of my work that b
d can take off my hands, leaving N
free to write more often, or to go Q
more frequently on those wild-goo'
chimeras at which you Jest so plea
d antly."
"We will say to write more fl
's quently; for write you must, Abel
said Grace, gravely. II have bet
'going to tell you that the rent"