Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-12-05
JOIN GRANTS WARD.

ooun oiai't was IN ioTe Win MS ward He
regarded his condition as hopeless one. &c
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-
nlcatlve, vivacious, fond of out door life, re- |
oeilious under restraint and restless under |
mental discipline. He was tall, spare, care
worn, misanthropic, his face homely in its |
ssedateness, his step slow, his gestures tardy, |
nus 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
be had been selected as her guardian when
sne was years old, and for the remaining
uiueen years, save when at boarding school,
sue mad been almost constantly under his
eyes. he had directed her associations,
nioiued her opinions, corrected her faults,
an'ieipated her needs He had noted her
ueyeiopment from shy, awkward, impulsive
ehiie INTO lovely, self possessed, graceful
woman.
de was not over susceptible-in fact. be
was not sufficiently so; yet, thrown SO much
INTO the society of his ward, and ENJOYING so
nhuch OF her esteem and confidence, it was
not strange that he had imbibed an affection
LOT 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
fxtent OF his love for her and the conscious
ness that she could never be his as the bright
sspring 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
tresh foids with every movement of her 1.-THE,
graceful figure.
Inc 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
itsith assgh, the troubled look upon his face
slowly giving place to look of resignation.
He was absorbed in his writing and re-
searches, for be was preparing the second
volume of text book, the first volume of
which had been received with great favor.
In little while be 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 books!" she cried more earnestly than
hiDTNaptlt- gsTha,r %
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
very-very stilted, and it is a question
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
"Has Mr. Delisle gone" he asked, looking
up, no traces of his previous struggle per-
ceptibe in his face or tone.
YES she said.
''Why so soonf' her guardian asked
swell, I sort of dismissed him, she re-
piled with a little laugh. "He tired me.
He is altogether too-too-worshipful
"Ah' calculated John Grant, trying to
catch her meaning, 81 didn't think a lover
could be too worshipful, though l can under.
H. l. l.,
in q queer mood, this morning, Vsleria."
sit is breaking away, them she said
laughing softly again. "Nr. Delisle, too
charged me with moodiness. am certain
did not yawn. But am not moody when
am with you, gardy. At least don't want
to be. Can't you leave this work for little
whileI There is still time for you to become
famous. Get out the ponies and drive mt
over to the deserted fort. want to gathel
some moses, and the change will do yol
good"
81 saw Mr. Delisle's team among the trees,
remarked John Grant.
Yes, assented she
Didn't he ask you to take driver
sob, yes He Is very thoughtfulr'
And you declinedf'
Eyes, gardyn
"But-whyf'
''Out of pure contrariness. maybe. Per
haps because l preferred to go with you
Please don't question me so persistently.n
The color came and went in her face, and
girlish pout hung to her red lips for nc
ment.
IAN right John Grant said as he pu
aside his books. Il appreciate the prefer
encen
The reply would have delighted her ha
his tone been less even and his air less seren,
The drive was pleasant one, and th
ramble about the old fort and its environ
more pleasant still
She charmed him with her smiles, ht
gurghng laughter, her sallies of wit, her col
fession OF ignorance, her thorough abandon
ment to the enjoyment of the hour. He sal
TO himself, as he sat alone in his room ths
evening
i live in two atmospheres. One is evolve
in my books, musty, abtruse, crcumscri
ing, yet satisfactory and restful The 9th.
comes from the companionship of my war
is bright, beautiful, sympathetic, yet leav
Inc dissatisfied, miserable, wretched. All
is because the books are mine, while she
mott
A year went by. Valeria grew more Lowell
Mr.. Delisle grew more persistent, Jol
Grant grew more morose
"Valeria, you are Of age today" the latt
said
He had asked for business interview al
she was seated opposite his desk. She a
horred business details, but she knew tn
the occasion demanded her attention
The afternoon was dying away. The +
sunset shone against the windows Some
the rays fell upon Valeria, frightening t
sheen of her dress, revealing the Transparent
of her complexion and adding a shade
burnt gold to her beautiful hair
My stewardship is closed,n John Ora
continued, a faint regretfulness in his tor
'The court has approved my accounts. Y
are in sole possession OF this vast esta'
Wildermar is yours
She watched him covertly, her hands fold
in her lap, her face strangely sober.
II tried my best to discharge my du
faithfully he added
Yes" answered she, with little gas
''You found me selfish and willful.n
mo Naleria,' promptly protested l
Rarely willful and never selfish"
A painful silence ensued. Her eyes We
bent to the floor in intense, half pain
thoughtfulness, She was reviewing the p
she was thinking Of the future
"You will leave Wildermarr she fain
asked
why, yes, he said passing his hand o.
his mouth TO hide its twitching muse
My work here is done. | must seek n
fields, new home. / am not appreh
siven