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

more pleasant still.
she charmed him with her smiles, her
gurgling iaug hter, her sailies of wit, her
confessions of igoorance, her thorough
abandonment TO the enjoyment of the
hour. He said TO himself, as he sat alone
in his room that evening:
81 live in two a mos pheres. One is
evolved from my books, musty, abstruse,
circumscribing, yet satisfactory and rest
Iui. The otksr comes from the compan-
ionship OF my ward, il. bright, health tut,
sym pathetic, Yet leaves me dissatisfied,
miserable, wretched. Ah-it is because
the books are mine, while she is not"
year went by. Valeria grew more
lovely, Mr.. DeIisle grew more persistent,
John Grant grew more morose.
''Vsleria, you are of age to day" the
latter said.
n had asked for business interview
and she was seated opposite his desk.
She abhorred business details, but she
knew that the occasion demanded her
attention.
The afternoon was dying away. The
red sunset shone againct the windows.
Some of the rays fell upon Valeria,
| tightening the sheen of her dress, reveal
| ing the transparency of her com plexion,
and adding shade of burnt gold to her
beautiful hair.
my stewaI dship is closed" ohm Grant
oont1nu-d, faint reg retfulness in his
tone. "Fhe court has approved my &C
counts. You are in role possession of
this vast estate. Wildemar is yours"
She watched him covertIy, her hands
| folded in her lap, her face strangely
sober.
"fAried my best 10 discharge my duty
faithfully" be added.
eyes," answered she with little gasp.
You fonnd me selfish and willful."
mo, Valeria," promptly protested he.
Rarely willful, and never selfish"
| A painful silence ensued. her eyes
were bent TO the floor in intense, half
painful thOughJfulness. She was review
ing the past.-she was thinking of the fu-
| ture.
"You will leave Wildermar," she family
asked.
WHY, yes" he said, passing his hand
over his mouth to hide its twitohing
muscles. my work hero ia done. must
| seek new fields, new home. / am not
apprehensive."
at seems not" she said, little alb
strsetedly. Neither about yourself nor
about me. But sm not com petant to
manage the estate, nor have the incii-
nation. The responsibility ia too great.
Care is irksome to me. Mr.. Grant, why
can't you stay! Why can you not CON
tIpue to manage? Whatever compeDsa-
ton"
mo, VaIeria," he interrupted, almost
with sternntss.
"On, since it is not agreeable to you,
xx,fn - IL i
tone, look of vexation on her face.
''Valeria, that wasn't kind of you" he
reproachfully said. at has been agree
able to nae, and it still would be But
for reasons best known to myself, must
decline TO oblige you"
always remember" she rejoined,
"that l have been grateful for all you
ever did for me-"
'Why, to be sure, child" he said
The word "chlld" brought an angry
sparkle to her eyes. He saw it but failed
to divine the cause.
II merely did my duty" John Grant
resumed. "The court fixed the com
pensation and Thoughts it suffi ,ient. Mr.
Delisie will help you TO manage the farm,
for 10 doubt you will shortly be married
10 him. You are pretty, Intelligent,
wealthy-"
"Mr. Delisle has no designs upon my
wealth." she interrupted.
"Why, of course not" he replied, the
color mounting to his checks. II believe
him to be the soul of honor. I never
knew you to mislnterpret my words with |
such persi7tenoy."
Have you any thing more to say to me, !
Mr.. Grant," she asked, after pause.
The voice did not soand like hers. He
was used to her abrupt ways, aud yet he
found himself keenly scanning her.
He had thought, at times, that she |
lacked woman dignity, but he did not
think so then. In spite of her young face |
and innocent girlish ways there was an |
unmistakable atmos phere of high breed |
ing about her, and certain royalty OF |
look and attitude.
ST believe that 1 have nothing more to |
say at present" He slowly replied. ITO |
morrow I can explain the ACCOUNTS, es-k
pecial!y those which refer to uncom Dl eted /
operations"
She rose TO her feet, and their eyes
met. There was yearDiug wjstfui look
in hers that he bad never seen there be-
fore.
He cares little for Wildemar, and less
for me-" she thought as she left the Ii
brary, her lios quivering, a throb of pain
at ner heart.
Alb, she didn't know! It was hard for
John Grant to leave Widemar, with its
extensive grounds, its Iordly mansion,
with its luxuriantly furnished rooms, and
it was harder still TO leave the sweet,
bright, young girl whom he loved with
fervor that had something of idolitry in
il.
81 offended her In some way he
thought, his bfows knit. the lines around
his mouth growing stern. She does not
seem very exuberant, now that she is in
possession of Wiidemar. The sense of
does not overwhelm her.
L never saw such dissatisfied look On her
face. | don't understand heE, and I'm
afraid Mr.. Delisle does not. She tempt
ed me feartnlly, bpt cannot stay! No. L
cannot stay. 1 must GO where can for
get!'
That night he was awakened by the
sound of wheels upon the drive. He
looked out of his bedroom window. It
was moonlight, and he saw, much TO his
the family carriage stand
under the trees.
The horses were paving restlessly, the
stabieman was talking to them now and
then in an undertone, while another male
servant staggered into sight with large
trunk which John Grant recognized IS
his wards.
ed himself, puzzled and alarmed, and
hurriedly dressing himself.
As he stepped into the wide hall he
r., Of chrir L