St. Landry democrat., 1888-12-08

She rose to her feet, and their eye
met. There was a yearning, wistfu
look in hers that he had never seer
there before.
''He cares little for Wildermar, and
less for me-" she thought as she lief
the library, her lips quivering, a throl
OF pain at her heart
All, she didn't knowl It was hard t.
Jehn Grant to leave Wildermar, will
its extensive grounds, it's lordly man
sion and it's NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
rooms, and it was harder still te leave
the sweet, bright young girl whom he
loved with d fervor that had some
thing CT idolatry in it.
II offended her in some way" he
thought, his brows knit; the lines
around his 'aseuth growing stern. "She
docs not seem very exuberant, now
that she is in possession of Wildermar
The sense of proprietors hip does moi
overwhelm her. never saw such {
dissatisfied look on Her fate. DOM
understand her, and I'm afraid Mr.
nelisle doesn't. She tempted me fear;
fully, but / can not stay' No, I car
not stav' I must go where l can for
get!'
That night he was awakened by the
sound of wheels upon the drive. lie
locked out Of his bedroom window.
II was moonlight, and he saw, much tc
his establishment, the family earttiag
standing under the trees.
The horses were paving restlessly;
the stableman was talking I'd theln
now and then In iii undertone, while
another male servant staggered into
sight with lage trunk which Jdhfl
Grant recognized as his wards.
"Why, what does this mean?" he
asked himself, puzzled and alarmed,
and hurriodly dressing himself:
As he stepped into The vide Hall he
saw the dina autlihe of aoshrinking
form, and heard repressed breathing.
''Is that you, Valeria?" he demand
ed, in an authoritative tone.
Yes" che answered, in dismay, her
Voice searcely louder than a whisper:
John Grant struck a match and lit
the chandelier. There stood his ward
equipped for travel, Hurried in her man
ner, her face expressing vexation and
chagrin.
"This is strange proceeding" John
Grant said, hxedly regarding her.
Goodness, you were not going to run
away with Mr.. Deiisle?"
NO." she simply said, swift pallor
crossing her face.
Nor can you possibly be running
from hims"
mo" she said, with an appealing
gesture, one hand pressed against her
heart Il am running away from my
self. | am running 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 d spasm. There was
d 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 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 trem-
bling, ''do your words admit of more
than one interpretation"
For reply she buried her face in her
hands and burst into tears.
Don't, DEAR" he gently said. SIT
distresses me very much. Can it be
possible that I have been so blind?
Valeria, l have loved you for years
1evotedly, passionately, wildly; was
afraid to tell you-afraid even to
have you suspect it. | supposed
The knowledge would have made
you miserable, you are so sympa-
5hetic in you nature. The difference
N our years, your wealth, and all that,
sealed mylips. And now that | know
hat my love is returned, my JOY robs
ny speech of its fuency. | blurt out
Just what comes first to my mind. And
are you not fond of Mr.. Delisle?"
''Mr. Delisle?" she repeated, be-
;ween her sobs. ''Fond of him! Mr..
Grant, love you thousand times
more than I do him! You never
would have known it only you--you-
lrove me into admitting it..
He could not tell whether she was
aughing or crying. He smoothed her
lair, and impressed kiss of betrothal
IN her cheek.
"T'll tell Amos to bring in your
,runk, he said.
Eyes, please"
"And I'll stay to manage Wilder
mar"
.'And me-" added Valeria, her face
with bushes, her eyes radiant.
Eyes, my precious, he said, cor no,
f you like that better. Frank Il.
IN Detroit Free Press.
In a Boston Restaurant.