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

eNiiu
He was selfish, reserved, reticent
wrapped up in his books. She was
confiding, communicative, vivacious
fond of out door life, rebellious under
restraint and restless under menta
discipline. He was tall, spare, care
worn, misanthropic, his face homely
in it's setlateness, his step slow, his
gestures tardy, his utterances heavy
She was 1.-the, agile, graceful, bright
faced, charming in her outbursts o.
girlishness, serene in the conscious
ness of womanhood, her voice low
sweet, emotional.
He had been selected as her guar
dian when she was ) years old, and
for the remaining fifteen years
save when at boarding school, she
had been almost constantly under
his eyes. He had directed her asso'
Citations, nodded her opinions, cor.
rected her faults, anticipated hel
needs. He had noted her develop.
ment from a shy, awkward, impul-
sive child into a lovely, selfpossessed
graceful woman.
wasnot over susceptible-infac
he was notsufficiently SO; yet, thrown
so much into society of his ward, and
enjoying SO much of her esteem and
confidence, it was not strange that
he had imbibed IN affection for hel
which grew into q passion-a pas.
sion which was consuming him be,
cause he so sedulously concealed it,
He had never been made aware OF
the extent of his love for her and thu
consciousness that she could never be
his as the bright spring morning
when he stood watching her from the
library window.
She was strolling up and down the
wide walks, in the cheerful sun
light and under the blossoming trees,
listening to Vincent Delisle's pretty
speeches or answering them with
saucy, incredulous retorts. Hel
rich dress glanced in the sunshine and
settled itself into fresh folds with
every movement of her 1.-the grace.
full figure.
The young couple seemed made fol
each other. He was rich, intelligent
attractive in face, handsome in figure,
genial in manner, faultless in attire,
kind in heart, appreciative in spirit
John Grant turned away from his
window with sigh, the troubled
look on his face slowly giving place
to look of resignation. He was
absorbed in his writing and research
es, for he was preparing the second
volume of a text book, the first vol.
ume 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 pref.
ty ward was beside his desk.
"Oh, for goodness sake stop por,
ing over these books!" she cried more
earnestly than fiippantly. ''They
are sapping the life out of You.
am beginning to hate them simpl.
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
stoneto astronomy =" she said read,
ing aloudfrom his manuscript. "'Al.
chemy led to chemistry. Thus the
dream of one century became the
science of the next All that sounds
very-very stilted, and it is q ques,
ton 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 gomez" he asked,
looking up, no traces of ais previous
struggle perceptible in his face or
tone.
EYES," she said.
"Why so soon?" her guardian
asked.
"Well, l sort of dismissed him.
she replied with q little laugh. "He
tired me. He is-altogether too-too
-worshipful."
"Ah!' calculated John Grant, try.
ing to catch her meaning, Il didn't
think n lover could be too worship.
full, though can understand now he
can be too impetuous. You are in q
queer mood, this morning. Valeria. .
at is breaking away, then," she
said, laughing softly again. 'Mr.
Delisie, 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 a little while? There is
still time for you to become famous
Get out the ponies and drive me
over tothe deserted fort. want to
gather some MOSES and the change
will do You good"
II saw Mr.. Delisle's team among
the trees" remarked John Grant.
"Yes," assented she.
didn't he ask you to take q
driver"
ooh, yes. He is very thoughtful
''And you declined?"
.'Yes, gardy.'
"But-why?"
''Out of pure contrariness, maybe.
Perhaps because l preferred to go
with you. Please don't question me
so persistently."