Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-01-10
JOHN GRANTS WARD.

John Grant was in love with his ward
He regarded his condition as q hopeless
one. He had been led to think SO be
cause ne was forty while she was bu
twenty, ard because of their difference il
their tastes, temperaments and pur-
suits.
He was selfish, reserved, reticent, warp
ped no in his books. She was confding
communicative, vivacious, fond of out
door life, rebellious under restraint ard
restless under mental discipline. Fl wa:
tall, spare, carewOrd, misanthropic, his
face homely in its seda'eness, his stel
slow, his gestures tardy, his utterance
heavy. She was 1.-THE, agile, graceful
brig ht- faced, charming in Cut-bursts OF
girlishness, serene in the consciousn ess
of WON ar hood, her voice low, sweet emo.
tiopal.
He had been selected as her guardian
when she was five years old, and for the
remaining Is years save when at board
ing school, she had been almost constant
Iy uLder his eyes. He had directed her
associations, nodded her opinions, cor
rooted her faults, antici pated her needs.
He had noted her development from q
shy awkard, i'm puisive child into lovely,
self possessed, graceful woman.
He was not over susceptible-in fact,
he was not sufficiently sc; yet, thrown SO
much into the society of his ward, and
enjoying so much of her esteem and con
fdenGe, it was not strange that be had
smbided an affection for her which grew
into passion-a passion which was CON
Stunning him because he so seduIously
cuDcealed 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 stroiling up and down the wide
walks, in the che erful sunlight and under
the blossoming trees, listening to Vim
cent Delises pretty speeches, or al sWer-
ing them with saucy, 1ncredulous retorts.
Her rich dress glanced in the sunshine.
aud settled itself into fresh folds with
every movement of her lite, graceful
figure
The young couple seemed made for
each other. He was rich, intelligent, at
tractive in face, handsome in figure
genial in maner, faultltss in attire, kind
IN heart, appreciative in spirit.
John Grant turned away from the win
dow with sigh, the troubled look upon
his face slowly giving place to a look of
resignation. He was soon absorbed liz
his writing and researches, for he was
preparing the second volume of text
boob, the first volume of whica had been
received with great favor.
Ia a little while he detected a sweet
subtle odor; next he heard the noise of e
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 fippantly. "They are
sappiug the life out of you. [ am begin
ming to hate them because you love
them"
She lea1ed over his shoulder, her ourls
touching his cheek the contact of her
dress making his pulses beat faster.
"Astrology became the stepping stone
to astronomy she read. reading aloud
from his manuscripts. ALCHEMY led TO
che mestry. Thus the dreams of one
century became the scien3e OF the next
All that sounds very-very st1lted, and 1t
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 COM
menf. he was accustomed 70 such in
trusions and such criticisms-and rather
liked them.
"Has Mr.. Delisle gomez" he asked, look
.ng up, no trace of his previous strug-
giles peroeptible in his face or tone.
"yes," she stid.
ssWhy so soon2" her guardian asked.
Well, sort of dismissed him." she re-
piled with laugh. He tried me. He
is altogether too-too-worshipfnL
"Ahp calculated John Grant, trying
to catch her meaning, 81 didn't think 8
lover could be too worshipfui, though 1
can understand how he can be too i'm
petuous. You are in queer mood this
morning, Valeria."
sit is breaking away, them" she said.
laughing softly again. Mr.. Delisle. too
charged me with moodiness. | am Ger
tain | did not yarn. But am not moody
when am with you, grady. At least l
don't want TO be. Can't you leave this
work for little whiief There is still
time for you co become famous. Get out
your ponies and drive me over TO the
deserted fort. L want TO gather some
MOSES, and the change will do you good. y
81 saw Mr.. Delilse's team among the
trees" remarked John Grant
''Yes," assented she.
"Didn's he ask you to take a driver"
''Oh, yes. He is very thoughtful"
sand you declined?"
''Yes, grady"
"But-why?"
''Out of pure contrariness, maybe.
Perhaps, because preferred to go with
you. Please don't question me so per
sistenuy."
The color came aud went in her face,
and girlish pout hung on her red lips
for moment