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


had been led to think SO because he was 40,
while she was but 20, and because of the diff
ference in their tastes, temperaments and
pursuits.
He was selfish, reserved, reticent, wrapped
up in his books. She was confding, commu-
NEGATIVE, vivacious, fond of out door life, re-
bellious under restraint and restless under
mental discipline. He was tall, spare, care
worn, misanthropic, his face homely in its
sedateness, his step slow, his gestures tardy,
his utterances heavy. She was 1.-the, agile,
graceful bright faced, charming in her out
bursts Of girlishness, serene in the conscious
ness of womanhood, her voice low, sweet,
emotional
He had been selected as her guardian when
she was years old, and for the remaining
fifteen years, save when at boarding school,
she had been almost constantly under his
eyes. He had directed her associations,
nodded her opinions, corrected her faults,
anticipated her needs. He had noted her
development from shy, awkward, impulsive
child into lovely, self possessed, graceful
woman.
He was not over susceptibility fact, he
was not sufficiently SO; yet, thrown so much
into the society of his ward, and enjoying so
much of her esteem and confidence, it was
not strange that he had imbibed an affection
for her which grew into passion-a passion
which was consuming him because he SO sed-
ulously concealed it.
He had never been made so aware Of the
extent Of his love for her and the conscious
ness shat she could never be his as the bright
spring morning when he stood watching her
from the library window.
She was strolling up and down the wide
walks, in the cheerful sunlight and under the
poisoning trees, listening to Vincent Delisle's
pretty speeches or answering them with
saucy, incredulous retorts. Her rich dress
glanced in the sunshine and settled itself into
fresh folds with every movement of her 1.-the,
graceful figure.
The young couple seemed made for each
other. He was rich, intelligent, attractive
in face, handsome in figure, genial in man
ner, faultless in attire, kind in heart, ap-
preciative in spirit.
John Grant turned away from the window
with sigh, the troubled look upon his face
slowly giving place to look of resignation
He was absorbed in his writing and re-
searches for he was preparing the second
volume of text book, the first volume Of
which had been received with great favor.
In little while he detected a sweet, subtle
odor; next he heard the noise of dress; then
he knew that his pretty ward was beside his
desk.
''Oh, for goodness sake stop porting over
these booksp' she cried more earnestly than
fippantly. ''They are sapping the life out Of
you. am beginning to hate them simply
because you love them"
She leaned over his shoulder, her curls
touching his cheek, the contact of her dress
making his pulses beat faster.
'Astrology became the stepping stone to
astronomy" she said, reading aloud from
his manuscript Alchemy led to chemis-
try. Thus the dream of one century became
the science of the next All that sounds
whether it is true. Pray, come down from
the stars and out Of your laboratory and
your aimless dreams"
He made no reply to her rapid comment.
He was accustomed to such intrusions and
such criticisms-and rather liked them.
elias Mr. Delisle gomez he asked, looking
up, no traces of his previous struggle per-
ceptible in his face or tone.
eyes, she said.
"Why so soon?' her guardian asked.
'sWell, I sort of dismissed him." she re-
piled, with little laugh. "He tired me.
He is altogether too-too-worshipfu
"Ah!" calculated John Grant, trying to
catch her meaning, 81 didn't think lover
could be too worshipful, though 1 can under
stand how he can be too lmpetuous. You are
in queer mood, this morning, Valeria."
SIT is breaking away, then," she said,
laughing softly again. "Mr. Delisle, too,
charged me with moodiness. | am certain l
did not yawn. But am not moody when I
am with you, gardy. At least don't want
to be. Can't you leave this work for a little
while? There is still time for you to become
famous Get out the ponies and drive me
over to the deserted fort. want to gather
some moses, and the change will do you
good.n
II saw Mr.. Delisles team among the trees, II
remarked John Grant.
Eyes," assented she.
Didn't he ask you to take drive?"
sob, yes. He is very thoughtful!'
"And you declinedg'
"Yes, gardy."
''But-whyf'
''Out of pure contrariness, maybe. Per
haps because I preferred to go with you.
Please don't question me SO persistently."
The color came and went in her face, and q
girlish pout hung to her red lips for mo-
ments
'sAll right" John Grant said, as he put
aside his books. 81 appreciate the prefer
ence."
The reply would have delighted her had
his tone been less even and his air less serene
The drive was a 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 con
fession of ignorance, her thorough abandon
ment to the enjoyment of the hour. He said
to himself, as he sat alone in his room that
evening:
4 live in two atmosphere. One is evolved
in my books, musty, abtruse, circumscrib
ing, vet satisfactory and restful. The Other
comes from the companionship of my ward
is bright, healthful, sympathetic, yet leaves
me dissatisfied, miserable, wretched Ah-it
is because the books are mine, while she is
not"
A year went by. Valeria grew more lovely
Mr.. Delisle grew more persistent, JohI
Grant grew more morose.
''Valeria, you are of age today" the latter
said.
He had asked for business interview ant
she was seated opposite his desk. She alb
horred business details, but she knew that
the occasion demanded her attention.
The afternoon was dying away. The rec
sunset shone against the windows. Some Of
the rays fell upon Valeria, frightening the
sheen of her dress, revealing the transparency
of her complexion and adding a shade Of
l,,,,x,% <ro1d to har beautiful hair
'My stewardship is closed,' John Grant
continued, faint regretfulness in his tone
ssThe court has approved my accounts. You
are in sole possession Of this vast estate
Wildermar 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
eyes," answered she, with little gasp
"You found me selfish and willful."
''No, Valeria," promptly protested he
ssRarely willful and never selfish"
A painful silence ensued. Her eyes wert
.>~-,+ to the floor in intense, half painful