The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-04-20

II -
her red lips for moment.
albright" John Grant said, as he
put aside his books. II appreciate
the preference"
The reply would have delighted
her had his tone been less even and
his air less serene.
The drive was pleasant one, and
the ramble about the old fort and its
environs more pleasant still.
She charmed him with her smile,
her gurgling laughter, her sallies of
wit, her confession of ignorance, her
thorough abandonment to the en-
enjoyment of the hour. He said to
himself, as he sat alone in his room
that evening:
Il live in two atmosDheres. One is
evolved in my books, musty, abtruse
circumscribing, yet satisfactory and
resttul. The other comes from the
companionship ofmy ward, is bright,
healthful, sympathetic, yet leaves me
dissatisfied, miserable, wretched. All
it is because the books are mine,
while she is not"
| A year went by. Valeria grew
more lovely, Mr.. Delisle grew more
persistent, John Grant grew more
morose.
"Valeria, you are of age to-day"
the latter said.
He had asked for a business inter-
view and she was seated opposite his
| desk. She abhorred business details,
but she knew that the occasion de-
! manded her attention.
The afternoon was dying away.
The red sunset shone against the
windows. Some of the rays fell up
on Valera, heightening the sheen of
her dress, revealing the Transparency
of her complexion and adding a
shade of burnt gold to her beautiful
hair.
"My stewardship is closed" John
Grant continued, O faint regretful-
ness in his tone. 1.-The court has ap-
proved 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.
81 tried my best to discharge my
duty faithfully" he added.
eyes," answered she, with little
gasp. "You found me selfish and
willfull."
"No. Valeria," promptly pro-
tested he. Rarely willful and
never selfish"
A painful silence ensued. Her
eyes were bent to the floor
in intense, half painful thought
fulness. She was reviewing the
past-she was thinking of the flu
| ture.
"You will leav, Wildermar?" he
family asked.
"Why, yes," he said, passing his
hand over his mouth to hide it's
twitching muscles! "My work here
is done. | must seek new fields, a
new home. 1 am not apprehensive."
at seems not" she said, a little
distractedly. "Neither about your
self nor about me. But I am not
competent to manage the estate, nor
have the inclination. The respon-
sibility is too great. Care isirksome
to me. Mr.. Grant, why can y III not
stay? Why can you not continue to
manage? Whatever compensa
tom
"No, Valeria," he interrupted, al
most with sternness.
ooh, since it isn't agreeable to you
| will not insist, she said in strident
tone, a look of vexation on her face.
"Valeria, that wasn't kind in YOU"
he reproachfully said. at has been
agreeable to me, and itstill would be.
But, for reasons best known to my
self. must decline to oblige you"
Always remember" she rejoined,
her tears very near, THAT | have been
grateful for all you ever did tor me-"
"Why to be sure, child" he said.
The word "child" brought an an
CRY sparkle to her eyes. He saw it,
but failed to divine the cause.
Il merely did my duty" John
Grant resumed. "The court fixed
the compensation and l thought 1T
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"
"Mr. Delisle has no designs upon
my wealth" she interrupted.
"Why. of course not" John Grant
replied, the color mounting to his
cheeks. 81 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.. Grant," she asked, after
n pause.
The voice did not sound like hers.
He vas used to her abrupt ways, and
yet Eo fc und himself kcenly scanning
her.
He lad thought, at times, that she
lacked womanly dignity, but he did
not . ink SO then. In spite of her
yonug face and innocent girlish ways
there was an unmistakable atmos-
phere of high breeding abouther and
oNCl uhiiioy ttiOy Oilooh uhu oteiouuO.
Il believe that / have nothing more
to say at present." he slowly replied.
Tomorrow l can explain the ac-
counts, 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.
"Ie cares little for Wildermar, and
less for me-" she thought as she left
the library, her lips quivering,
thro5 of pain at her heart.
All, she didn't know! 1t was hard
for John Grant to leave Wildermar,
with it's luxuriantly furnished rooms,
and it was harder still to leave the
sweet, bright young girl whom he
loved with a fervor that had some
thing of idolatry in it,,
81 offended her in some way" he
thought, his brows knit. the lines
around his mouth growing stern.
"She does not seem very exuberant