St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1889-01-26

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''Ah" CALCULATED John Grant, tryiSS
to catch her meaning. II didnt think
lover could be too worshipful.
though l can understand how he might
be too ippe.uous. You are in q queer
mooa this morning. Valeria."
ut is breaking away, then" she
said laughingly softly again. "sfr.
Delisle. too. charged me With moodi-
ness. l am certain did not yawn.
but am not moody when an with
you, gardy. AT least I DOM want "a
be. Can't you leave this work for a
little while? There is still time Tor
you to become famcu.. Get out the
ponies and drive me over to the de-
serted fort l want to gather some
MOSES. and the change will do sou
good"
81 saw Mr.. Delisle's team among the
trees" remarked John Grant.
"Yes," assented she.
didn't he ask you to take driver
''Oh. yes. He is very thoughtful"
"And you declined?'
"Yes. gardy."
''But-why?"
'Out OF pure contrariness. may be.
Perhaps. because l preferred 10 60
with you. Please don't question me
so Professionally"
The color came and went In her face.
and girlish pout hung to her red lips
for moment.
"Ail right" John Grant said. rs 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 a pleasant one, and
the ramble about the old fort and its
envirOns more pleasant still.
She charmed him with her smiles.
her gurgling laughter. her sallies Of
wit, her confessions of ignorance, her
thorough abandonment to the enjoy
ment of the hour. He said to himself.
as he ga: alone in his room that even
ing:
II live in two atmospheres. One is
evolved from my books. musty, alb
struse. circumscribing. yet satisfactory
and restful. The other comes from
the companionship of my ward, is
bright. healthful sympathetic. yet
leaves me dissatisfied, miserable.
wretched. Ah-it is because the books
are mine, while she is not"
A year went by. Valera grew more
lovely. Mr.. Delisle grew more per-
sistent. John Grant grew more mOrose.
"valeria, you are of age to-day"
the latter said.
He had asked for 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 upon Valeria.
frightening the sheen of her dress, re-
vealing the transparency Of her COM
plexion and adding shade Of burnt
gold to her beautiful hair.
MY stewardship is closed" John
Grant continued, faint regretfulness
in his tone. 1.-The court has approved
my accounts. You are in sole possess
sion of this vast estate. Wildemar is
yours"
She watched him covertly. her hands
olded in her lap. her face strangely
sober.
81 tried my best to discharge my
duty faithfully" he added.
Yes" answered she. with little
gasp you found mo selfish and will
full"
No. Valeria." promptly protested
he. Rarely willful, and never SELF
ish."
A painful silence ensued. Her eyes
were bent to the floor in intense, half
painful thoughtfulness. She was re-
viewing the past-she was thinking Of
the future.
You will leave Wildermar?" she
family asked.
"Why, yes." he asked. passing his
hand over his mouth to hide the twitch-
ing muscles. MY work here is done.
must seek new fields. a new home. l
am not apprehensive."
ut seems not" she said, a little dis
tractedly. Neither about yourself
nor about me. Bat / am not COM
petent to manage the estate, nor have
l the inclination. The responsibility
is too great. Care is irksOme to me
Mr.. Grant why can you not stay?
Why can you not continue to manage?
Whatever compensation"
NO. Valeria," he interrupted, al
most with sternness.
oh. since it isn't agreeable to you I
will not insist" she said, In q strident
tone. a LOOK of vexation on her face.
.valeria, that wasn't kind in you. :"
he rcproachfully said. 1T has been
agreeable to me. and it still would BE-.
But. for reasons best known to myself,
l must decline to oblige you"
Always remember" she rejoined.
her tears very near. ''that have been
grateful! for all you ever did for me-"
! 'Why, to be sure. child" he said.
The word ''child" brought an angry
sparkle to her eyes. He saw 1t. but
failed to divine the cause.
Il merely did my duty" John Grant
resumed. The court fixed the COM
pensation and thought it sufficient
Mr. Delisle will help you to manage
the farm. for no doub: you will shortly
be married 10 him. You are pretty,