Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-11-26
JOHN GRANTS WARD.

- ference in their tastes. ternperaments and pursuits. He was selfish, reserved, reticent, wrapped l | up in his books. She was coniding, commit 1 nicative, 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, l his utterances heavy. She was 1.-the, agile, 1 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 5 years old, and for the remaining | fifteen years, save when at boarding school, she had been almost constantly under hls 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 a lovely, self possessed, graceful | woman.
 He was not over susceptible-in 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, 1t 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 that she could never be his as the bright spring morning when he stood watching her from the librury window.
 She was strolling up and down the wide walks, in the cheerful sunlight and under the blossoming trees, listening to Vincent Dellsles 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. her, faultless in attire, kind in heart, ap- precative in spirit
 John Grant turned away from the window with a sigh, the troubled look upon his face slowly giving place to Q look of resignation. He was absorbed in his writing and re- searches, for he was preparing tho second volume of a text book, the first volume of which had been received with great favor.
 In a little while he detected sweet, subtle odor; next he heard the noise of a dress; then , he knew that his pretty ward was beside his desk.
 "Oh, for goodness sake stop boring over these booksl" she cried more earnestly than hippantly. "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 e the science of the next All that sounds A very-very suited, and it is a question Il whether it is true Pray, come down from fba md of laboratory and r your aimless dreams" 2 He made no reply to her rapid comment ', He was accustomed to such intrusions and # such criticisms-and rather liked them. " ''Has Mir. Delisle goneg' he asked, looking up, no traces of his previous struggle per ceptible in his face or tone.
 "Yes," she said
 "Why 30 soonq' her guardian asked.
 "Well, I sort of dismissed him." she re piled, with little laugh. "He tired me He is altogether too-too-worshipful
 "Ah!n calculated John Grant, trying tt catch her meaning, "I didn't think lover could be too worshipful, though can under stand how he can be too impetuous. You arr in queer mood, this morning, Valeria."
 Ut is breaking away, then," she said laughing softly again. ''Mr. Delisle, too charged me with moodiness. l am certain did not yawn. But am not moody when
  to be- Can't you leave this work for Q ittl whiles There is still time for you to becom famous. Get out the ponies and drive m , over to the deserted fort. want to gathe '' some mosses, and the change will do yo good"
 II saw MT. Delisle's team among the trees, remarked John Grant.
 "Yes,n assented she. ,. ''Didn't he ask you to take drive?"
 tIOh vaS He is very thOuphtfull0
 "And you declined2'
 ''Yes, gardy."
 "But-whyg'
 :, ''Out of pure contrariness, maybe. Pel 0' haps because l preferred to go with yol Please don't question me so persstently."
 The color came and went in her face, and girlish pout hung to her red lips for mt ment-
 / ''An right" John Grant said, he pr aside his books. "I appreciate the prefe ence"
 The reply would have delighted her ha his tone been less even and his air less seren
 Tho drive was a pleasant one, and u ramble about the old fort and its environ more pleasant still
 She charmed him with her smiles, h. $, gurgGng laughter, her sallies of wit her CO
 fession of ignorance, her thorough abando
 ment to the enjoyment of the hour. He sa
 to himself, as he sat alone in his room tn
 evening:
 S I live in two atmospheres. One is evolv, 0' in my books, musty, abtruse, circumscri
 ing, yet satisfactory and restful. The oth
 comes from the companionship of my war
 is bright, healthful, sympathetic, yet leav
 me dissatisfied, miserable wretched. An
 is because the books are mine, while she
 not"
 A year went by. Valeria grew more lovel
 Mr. 1T
 Grant grew more morose. e "Valeria, you are of age today" the latt 0' said
 He had asked for a business interview a
 she was seated opposite his desk. She a Y horred business details, but she knew th the occasion demanded her attention. The afternoon was dying away. The I
 sunset shone against the windows Some
 the rays fell upon Valeria, heightening
 sheen of her dress, revealing the transparen
 of her complexion and adding shade ". burnt gold to her beautiful hair,