The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1888-12-21

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is bright, healthful, sympathetic, yet leaves
me dissatisfied, miserable, wretched. Ah-it
is because tho books are mine, while she is
not"
A year went by. Valeria grew moro lovely,
Mr.. Delisle grew more persistent, John
Grant grew more morose.
"Valeria, you are Of age today y the latter
said.
He had asked for a business interview and
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 red
sunset shone against the windows. Some of
the rays fell upon Valera, frightening the
sheen of her dress, revealing the transparency
of her complexion and adding q shade of
burnt gold to her beautiful hair.
"My stewardship is closed" john Grant
continued, q faint regretfulness in his tone.
':Tho 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.
II tried my best to discharge my duty
faithfully" he added.
"Yes,' answered she, with a little gasp.
"You found me selfish and willful."
"No, Valeria," promptly protested he.
sRareiy willful and never selfish"
A painful silence ensued. Her eyes were
bent to the floor in intense, half painful
tnotghtfulness. She was reviewing the past
she was thinking Of the future.
"You will leave Wildermar2'' she family
asked.
"Why, yes" he said, passing his hand over
his mouth to hide its twitching muscles.
my work here is done. l must seek new
fields, a new home. l am not apprehen-
sive."
ut seems not" she said, a little distract
edly. Neither about yourself nor about
me. But l am not competent to manage the
sponsibility is too great. Care is irksome to
me. Mr.. Grant, why can you not stay9
Why can you not continue to manage! What
ever compensation
"No, Valeria," he interrupted, almost with
sternness.
"Oh, since it isn't agreeable to you l will
not insist" she said in a strident tone, a look
of %vexation on her face.
"Valeria, that wasn't kind in you" he re-
proachfully said. ut has been agreeable to
me, and it still would be. But, for reasons
best known to myself, I must decline to oblige
YOU"
"Always remember" she rejoined, her
tears very near, "that l nave been grateful
for all you ever did for me-"
"Why to be sure, child" he said.
The word ''child" brought q angry
sparkle to her eyes. He saw it, but failed to
divine the cause.
II merely did my duty" John Grant re-
umed. 'The court fixed the compensation
and I thought it sufficient. Mr.. Delisle will
help you to manage the farm, for no doubt
you will shortly be married to him. You
are pretty, intelligent, wealthy
MIR. Delisle has no designs upon my
wealth, " she interrupted.
"Why, of course not" John Grant replied,
the color mounting to his cheeks. Il believe
him to be the soul of honor. l never knew
you to misinterpret my words with such per-
~sistency."
"Have you anything more to say to me,
Mr.. GrantT she asked, after a pause.
The voice did not sound like hers. He wa
used to her abrupt ways, and yet he found
himself keenly scanning her.
He had thought, at times, that she lacked
womanly dignity, but he did not think SO
then. In spite Of her young face and innocent
glrllsh ways there was an unmistakable at
mosphere Of high breeding about her, and a
certain royalty Of look and attitude.
II believe that I have nothing more to say
at present" he slowly replied. Tomorrow
I can explain the accounts, especially those
which refer to uncompleted operations"
She rose to her feet, and their eyes met.
There was a yearning, wistful look in hers
that he had never seen there before.
H cares little for Wildermar, and less for
me" she thought as she left the library, her
lips quivering, a throb Of pain at her heart.
All, she didn't know! It was hard to John
Grant to leave Wildermar, with its extensive
grounds, its lordly mansion, and its luxuri-
antly furnished rooms, and it was harder
still to leave the sweet, bright young girl
whom he loved with q fervor that had some
thing Of idolatry in 1t.
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 proprietorship
does not overwhelm her. never saw such o
dissatisfied look on her face. don't under.
stand her, and In afraid Mr.. Delisle doesn't.
She tempted me fearfully, but l cannot stay!
No, I cannot stay! l must 60 where l can
forget!"
That night he was awakened by the sound
Of wheels upon the drive. He looked out Of
his bedroom window. 1t was moonlight, and
he saw, much to his nstonishment, the fa.-ly
carriage standing under the trees.
The horses were paving restlessly. the
stableman was talking to them now and then
in an undertone, while another male servant
staggered into sight with a large trunk
which John Grant recognized as his wards.
"Why, what does this mean?" he asked
himself, puzzled and alarmed, and hurriedly
dressed himself.
As he stepped into the wide hall he saw the
dim outline Of a shrinking form, and heard
repressed breathing.
us that you, valeriar' he demanded, in an
authoritative tone.
"Yes," she answered in dismay, her voice
scarcely louder than q whisper.
John Grant struck q match, and lit tho
chandelier. There stood his ward, equipped
for travel. Hurried in her manner, her face
expressing vexation and cbagrin,