Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-11-29

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But am not moody when | am with
you, gardy. At least, j don't want TO
be- Can't you leave this work for a
little while? There is still time for
you to become famous Got. out tho
ponies and drive mo over TO tho de-
serted fort. | want TO gather some
MOSES, aud the change will do you
good
Il saw Mr.. Delisle's team among the
trees,r remarked John Grant.
Yes, assented she.
Didn't he ask you to take driver"
"Oh, yes. He is very thoughtful"
"Aud you declined9"
YES, gardy."
But whyp"
Out of pure contrarincss, may be.
Perhaps, because ] preferred to go
with you. Please don't question mo
so persistently.
The color came and went in her face,
and girlish pout hung to her red lips
for a moment.
"Ail right John Grant said, as he
put aside his books. Il appreciate the
preference.
The reply would have delighted her
had his tone been less oven and his air
less serene.
The drive was pleasant one, and
the ramble about the old fort and its
environs more pleasant still.
She charmed him with her smiles,
her gurgling laughter, her sallies Of
wit, her confessions Of ignorance, her
thorough abandonment to the enjoy
ment of the hour Ho said to himself,
as he sat alone IN his room that even
ing:
II 1.-Two In two atmospheres. One is
evolved from my books, musty, alb
struse, circumscribing, yet satisfactory
and restful. The other comes from
the companionship of my ward, is
bright, healthful sympathetic, yet
leaves me dissatisfied, miserable,
are mine. while she is not"
A year went by. Valeria grew moro
lovely, Mr.. Delisle grew moro per-
sistent. John Grant grew more morose.
"Valeria, you are of age to-day
the latter said
He had asked for business inter-
view and she was seated opposite his
desk. She abhorred business details,
but she knew that the occasion de-
manded her attention.
The afternoon was dying away. The
red sunset shone against the windows.
Some of the rays fell upon Valeria,
heightening the sheen Of her dress, re-
vealing the transparency OF her COM
plcxion and adding shade OF burnt
gold to her beautiful hair.
my stewardship is closed" John
Grant continued, faint regretfulness
in his tone. Tho court has approved
my accounts You are in sole possess
sion of this vast estate. Wildemar is
yours. !"
She watched him covertly, her hands
folded In her lap. her face strangely
sober
81 tried my, best to discharge my
duty faithfully" he added.
Yes answered she, with little
gasp. "You found me selfish and will
full
mo, Valoria, promptly protested
ne. Rarely wlllful, and never self
ish."
A painful silence ensued. Her eyes
were bent TO tho floor in intense, half
painful thoughtfulness. She was re-
viewing the past-she was thinking of
tho future.
"You will leave Wildermara" she
family asked.
why, yes" no asked, passing his
hand over his mouth to hide the witch
ing muscles. MY work here is done.
must seek new fields, new home. ]
am not apprehensive."
1T seems not she said, little dis
tractedly. Neither about yourself
nor about me. But | am not COM
petent TO manage the estate, nor have
I the inclination. THE responsibility
is too great. Care is irksome to me
Mr.. Grant why can you not stay?
Why can you not continue to manage?
Whatever compensation
mo, Valeria," he interrupted, al
most with sternness.
"0h. since it isn't agreeable to you I
will not insist" she said, in strident
tone, a look of vexation on her face.
',Valeria, that wasn't kind in you,n
he reproachfully said. 1T has been
agreeable to me, and it still would be
But, for reasons best known to myself,
must decline to oblige you.
Always remenbei.," she reioined,
her'tears very near. ''that have been
grateful for all you ever did for me. !"
tWhy, to be sure. child" he said.
The word child brought an angry
sparkle to her eyes. Ho saw il, but
failed to divine the cause.
Il merely did my duty John Grant
resumed. 1.-The court fixed the COM
pensation and thought it sufficient
Mr.. Delisle will help you to manage
the farm, for no doubt you will shortly
be married to him. You are pretty,
intelligent, wealthy -"
Mr.. Delis' has no designs upon
my wealth" she interrupted.
why, of course not John Grant
replied, the color mounting to his
checks. j believe him to be the soul
OF honor. ! never know you to misin-
terpret my words with such persisten-
cy.r
Have you any thing more to say TO
me. Mr.. Grart?n she asked, after a
pause.
The voice did not sound like hers.
He was used to her abrupt ways, and
yet he found himself keenly scanning
her.
he had thought, at times. that she
lacked womanly dignity, but he did not
think so then. In spite of her young
face and innocent, girlish ways there
was an unmistakable atmosphere OF
high breeding about her, and certain
royalty of look and attitude.
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