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

10 say at present, nc SLOWLY feplAcu,
ssTo-morrow i can explain the ac-
counts, especially those which refer 10
uncompleicd operations.
She rose to her feet and their eyes
met. There was yearning, wistful
look in hers that he had never seen
there before.
lie cares little for WilderInar, 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! II was hard to
John Grant to leave Wildermsr, with
its extensive grounds. its lordly man
sion and It's luxuriantl y-furnishcd
rooms, and il was harder still to leave
the sweet, bright young girl whom he
loved with feryor 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 Wildermar
The sense Of proprietors hip does not
ovcrwhelm her. | never saw such a
dissatisfied look on her face. / don't
understand her. and I'm afraid Mr..
Dclislc doesn't. she tempted me fear
fully, but can not stay! No, | can
not stay, msst go where 1 can for
get!
That night he was awakened by the
sound of wheels upon the drive. He
looked out of his bedroom window.
II was moonlight, and he saw, much TO
his astonishment. the family carriage
standing under the trees.
The horses were paving rcstlessly,
the stableman was talking to them
now and then in an undertonc, while
another male servant staggered into
sight with lage trunk which John
Grant recognized as his wards.
why, what does this mean?n he
asked himself, puzzled and alarmed,
and hurriedly dressing himself.
As he stepped into the wide hall he
saw the dim outline of a1shrinking
form, and heard repressed breathing.
lis that you, Valeria9" he demand
ed, in an authoritative tone.
Yes" she answered, in dismay. her
voice scarcely louder than whisper
John Grant struck match and lit
the chandelier. There stood his ward
EQUIPPED for travel, Hurried in her man
ner, her face expressing vexation and
chagiin.
This is strange proceeding" John
Grant said, fxedly regarding her.
Goodness, you were not going to run
away with Mr.. Delislean
NO." she simply said, swift pallor
crossing her face.
Nor can you possibly be running
from him?'
mo she said, with an appealing
gesture, one hand pressed against her
heart. 81 am running away from my
self l am running from yon, John
Grant. That is the truth, however
much ii humiliatcs 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 il to aid himself to
think with clearncss. 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 tho hall,
r"valeria, he chokingly said as no
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. 1T
distresses me very much. Can it be
possible that have been so blind?
valeria, | have loved you for years
devotedly, passionately, wildly; l was
afraid to tell you-afraid even TO
have you suspect ii. ! supposed
the knowledge would have made
you miserable. you are so sympa-
thetic in you nature. The difference
in our years, your wealth, and all that,
scaled my lips. And now that l know
that my love is returned, my JOY robs
my speech of its fiuency. ] blurt out
just what comes first.to my mind. And
are you not fond of Mr.. DelisleP"
MIR. Delisle?n sho repeated be-
tween her sobs. Pond of him! Mr..
Grant, love you thousand times
more than 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 impressed kiss of betrothal
on her cheek.
I'm tell Amos to bring in your
trunk, he said.
Yes. please.
And I'll stay to manage Wilder
mar
''And mo-" added Valeria, her face
sufIused with bushes, her eyes radiant.
Yes. my precious he said, cor no,
If you like that better. =" Framb II.
Siouft q, Dsfro1 Free Press.