Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-11-30

asked.
= "Why, yes" he said, passing his hand over
his mouth to hide its twitching muscles.
''My work here is done. I must seek new
fields, new home / am not apprehen-
siven
SIT seems not" she said, little distract
edly. 'sNeither about yourself nor about
ms. But Fam not competent to manage the
estate, nor have l the inclination. The re-
sponsibility is too great Care is irksome to
me. Mr. Grant, why can you not stays
Why can you not continue to manages What
ever Compensation
''No, Valeria," he interrupted, almost with
sternness.
'sOh, since it isn't agreeable to you I will
not insist" she said in strident tone, a look
ofevexation on her face.
"Valeria that wasn't kind in you," he re-
proachfully said. SIT has been agreeable to
me, and it still would be- But, for reasons
best known to myself, must decline to oblige
d.. YOU" I q
always remember" she rejoined, her
tears very near, ''that 1 have been grateful
for all you ever did for me-"
"Why to be sure, child" he said.
The word ''childn brought an angry
sparkle to her eyes. He saw it, but failed to
divine the cause.
II merely did my duty" John Grant re-
sumed. "The court fixed the compensation
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
MIR. Delisle has no designs upon my
wealth." she interrupted
''Why, of course not" John Grant replied,
the color mounting to his cheeks. 81 believe
him to be the soul of honor. l never knew
you to misinterpret my words with such per-
sistency"
"Have you anything more to say to me,
Mr.. Granta" 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 at
mosphere of high breeding about her, and
certain royalty of look and attitude
II believe that I have nothing more to say
at present." he slowly replied Tomorrow
can explain the accounts, especially those
which refer to uncompleted operations"
She rose to her feet, and their eyes met.
There was a yearning, wistful look in hers
that he had never seen there before.
''He cares little for Wildermar, and less for
me-" she thought as she left the library, her
lips quivering, throb of pain at her heart
All, she didn't know! It was hard to John
Grant to leave Wildermar with its extensive
grounds, its lordly mansion, and its luxuri-
antly furnished rooms, and it was harder
still to leave the sweet, bright young girl
whom he loved with a fervor that had some
thing of idolatry in it.
II offended her in some way" he thought,
his brows knit, the lines around his mouth
growing stern. ''She does not seem very
exuberant now that she is in possession of
W1ldermar. The sense of proprietorship
does not overwhelm her. never saw such a
dissatisfied look on her face. 1 don't under
stand her, and I'm afraid Mr.. Delisle doesn't.
She tempted me fearfully, but I cannot stay!
No, cannot stay! l must go where can
forget!'
That night he was awakened by the sound
of wheels upon the drive. He looked out of
his bedroom window. 1t was moonlight, and
he saw, much to his establishment, the family
carriage standing under the trees
The horses were paving restlessly. the
stableman was talking to them now and then
in an undertone, while another male servant
staggered into sight with a large trunk
which John Grant recognized as his wards.
''Why, what does this mean!" he asked
himself, puzzled and alarmed, and hurriedly
dressed himself.
As he stepped into the wide hall he saw the
dim outline of shrinking form, and heard
depressed breathing.
SIS that you, Valeria2" he demanded, in an
authoritative tone.
''Yes,' she answered in dismay, her voice
scarcely louder than whisper.
John Grant struck a match, and lit the
chandelier. There stood his ward, equipped
for travel, Hurried in her manner, her face
expressing vexation and chagrin.
''This is strange proceeding John Grant
said, fxedly regarding her. Goodness, you
were not going to run away with Mr.. De-
lsslea"
''No," she simply said swift pallor cross
ing her face.
''Nor can you possibly be running from
himg'
''No," she said, with an appealing gesture,
one hand pressed against her heart. II am
running away from myself. I am running
away from you, John Grant. That is the
truth, however much it humiliates me to
say it,"
She shrank closer to the wall. Her lips
were tightly drawn. Her hands were
clenched in spasm. There was a movement
in her throat like the struggle of imprisoned
words. A CLEAN Of intense yearning shone
in her eyes, and then the lids fell modestly
over them.
John Grant was dazed. He rubbed his
temples, as if to aid himself to think with
clearness. The light that broke across his
face was like the play of light upon a dusky
cloud. He took her hand and led her to one
of the easy chairs in the hall.
"Valeria," he chokingly said as he stood
over her, his gaunt frame trembling, ''do
your words admit of more than one interpre-
tationW
For reply she buried her face in her hands
and burst into tears.
"Don't DEAR" he gently said. "It dis
tresses me very much Can it be possible
loved you for years-devotedly, passionately,
wildly. l was afraid to tell you-afraid
p even to have you suspect it. supposed the
knowledge would have made you miserable,
YOU are SO sympathetic in your nature. The
difference in our years, your wealth, and all
that, sealed my lips; and now that know
that my love is returned. my joy robs my
speech of its fuency; blurt out just what
comes first to my mind. And are you not
fond of Mr. Delisle2"
'.Mr. Delsle!" she repeated between her
sobs. ''Fond of him Mr.. Grant, I love you
thousand times more than l do him! You
never would have known it only you-you-
drove me into admitting it."
He could not tell whether she was laughing
or CRYING. He smoothed her hair and inn
pressed kiss of betrothal on her cheek.
cpl tell Amos to bring in your trunk" he
said
''Yes, please"
s'And I'll stay to manage Wildermar."
s'And me-" added Valera, her face suffused
with bushes, her eyes radiant.
eyes, my precious" he said, cor no, if you
like that better Frank II. Stauffer in De-
troit Free Press.
Deposit of the Great Rivers.
The average discharge from the Missouri