Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-01-10
JOHN GRANTS WARD.

John Grant was in love with his ward
He regarded his condition as hopeless
one. He had been led to think SO be-
cause ne was forty while she was but
twenty. ard because of their difference In
their tastes, temperaments and pur-
suits.
He vas selfish, reserved, retioent, warp
ned M in his books. She was con fding,
communicative, vivacious, foud of out
door life. rebellious under restraint ard
restless under mental discipline. He was
tall. spare, careword, misanthropic, his
face homely in its sedateness, his step
slow, his gestures tardy, his utterance
heavy. She was 1.-THE, agile, graceful,
bright-faced charming in out-bursts of
girlishness, serene IN the consciousness
of woman hood, her voice low, sweet emo
tioDal.
He had been selected as her guardian
when she was five years old, and for the
remaining 10 years save when at board
ing school, she had been almost constant
ly uLder his eyes. He had directed her
associations, nodded her opinions, cor
rtcted her faults, anticipated her needs.
He had noted her development from a
shy awkard, impulsive child into lovely,
self possessed, graceful woman.
He was not over susceptible-in fact,
he was not sufiiaieptly SO; yet, thrown so
much into the society of his ward, and
ENJOYING SO much of her esteem and con
fdence, it was not strange that he had
Imbided an affection for her which grew
into passion--a passion which was con
suming him because he so sedulously
cOncsai "a it.
He had never been made so aware OF
the extent of his love for her and the
consciousness that she could never be
his, as the bright spring morning when
he stood watching her from his library
window.
She was stroAing up and down the wide
walks, in the cheerful sunlight and under
the bossoming trees, listening to Vim
cent Delsles pretty speeches, or answer
ing them with saucy, incredulous retorts
Her rich dress glanced in the sunshine
and settled itself into fresh folds with
every movement of her litse, graceful
figure.
The young couple seemed made for
each other. He was rich, intelligent, at
tractive in face, handsome ia figure
genial 10 msner, faultltss in attire, kind
al AVhl ts n y pItIldhifb III piIlt.
John Grant turned away from the win
dow With a sigh, the troubled look upon
his face slowly giving place 10 look OF
resignation. He was soon absorbed in
his writing aud researches, for he was
preparing the second volume of tex
booA, the first volume of whica had been
received with great favor.
h a little while he de.ecte1 sweet
subtle odor; next be heard the noise OF 2
Dress then he knew that his pretty ward
was beside his desk
On, for goodness sake, stop porting
over these books" she cried. more
earnestly than Aippantly. "They are
'applng the life out of you. | am begin
aing to hate them because you love
them"
sae Leaned over his shoulder, her curlc
touching his cheek the contact of hei
dress making his pulses beat faster.
Asirology became the stepping stone
70 Autonomy " she read, reading aloud
from ms manuscript. Alchemy led tC
e'enestry. Thus the dreams of one
century became the science of the next.
an mat sounds yery--very stilted, and il
y question whether it is true. Pray
come down from the stars and out of your
MIGRATORY and your aimless dreams"
ne made 10 reply 10 her rapid com
men He was accustomed TO such in
.f'slons and such criticisms-and rather
liked them.
Has Mr.. Delisle gomez" he asked, look
uR up no traoe of his previous strug-
s.ss petcsptible in his face or tone.
Yes she said.
Why so soonY" her guardian asked.
ELL sort of dismissed him." she re-
l'sa with alaugh. He tried me. He
altogether toO-too- worshipfnl.n
A1. calculated John Grant, trying
otalen Der meaning, II didn't think {
'75 could be too worshipfui, though
a4 understand how he can be too i'm
rs..oos' You are in queer mood this
morning Ealeria.n
T. Il breaking away, them she said
y softly again. Mr.. Delisle, too
xea me with moodiness. / am Ger
oid not yarn. But ana not moody
49, 49, an with you. grady. A. least
- want to be. Can't you leave thi,
- Tor little whilef There is still
Ior you to become famous. Get ou