The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-01-30
HREVEPORT, LOUISIANA, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 80 1856.
Result of a Reyerie.

Result of a Reverie -#..
Laura Grahame stood where they had left
her; the farewell of the grave Walter Elliot
and her gay cousin still rang upon her ears,
and Grace's warm kisses still burned upon her
lips; she returned their farewell with her sml-
ing dignity, and motionless, watching their re-
treating forms until the trees hid them from
her eyes. Gradually the smile faded from her
lips, and look of deep settled sorrow clouded
her young face; the easy, dignifed attitude
was lost in the dropping figure and detected ex-
preston. We will leave her thus in painful
reverie, and sketch for our readers her previous
history. ''t S7"
Laura Grahame was left an orphan when
only three years of age; her father died of CON
sumption. and her mother. soon followed him
to the grave. Mr.. Danvers, her mother
brother, adopted the orphan and no parents
care could be more tender than that which her
uncle and aunts lavished upon little Laura
Her father owned large estates in the West
Indies, which now became the property of the
orphan. When she was about ten years old
her uncle removed there, with Laura and their
only child, Grace, then Just seven years fage
They had been but one year in their new
home when Mrs. Danvers was taken danger
ous'y i'll, and the physicians soon pronounced
her case hopeless. ..1-. sg, ~. ra-- s~...., ..s
~ Itwas darkened room, in which no sound,
save the low breathing of the invalid and the
stealthy movements OF Mona, the old nurse,
could be heard. Laura sat by her aunt's side,
holding her fevered hand in one of her own
cool ones, while the other was pressed upon
the invalid's burning brow. A strange feeling
of awe, a vague presentment of evil kept her
silent. - E,r, ~.zy-,.. -.. Sd, g:.,.s .. .-.. ..q
Laura" said Mrs Danvers in a low, feeble
tone '@' S'.'-'
Il am here, dear aunt Emily. What can
do for you?'' 1s@pE asss@2f Ssa7#Haa 81 4.fs
Nothing, darling. My poor child, you
have lost your own mother, and now |, who
have tried to fill her place, am about to leave
you too.'
"Oh, aunty, how can do without you?'
sobbed the child, all her long restrained grief
bursting forth. # 5. as-s5s g-E +
"You have been a good, dutiful child, Laura
darling, and great blessing to me; now you
must be a double daughter to your uncle
George and dear older sister to my Grace
"Oh, if / were but older," said Laura, 4
would be her mother, as you have been
mne?" ..gs.r-.. ...g#
''You are old enough, Laura, to exert a
great influence over her. She loves you fond
ly, and you can by example and affection, lead
her to good or evil. You are serious and
thoughtful beyond your years, while Grace is
lghthearted and gay, but afectionate and
frank. Gently guide her, Laura, by love, as I
would wish her to 90, were to remain
Il will, I will, dear aunty. Ny own gratif-
cation and interests shall always give way be-
fore her good"
'Poor Laura! you are young enough to still
need mothers care yourself; but / trust her
to you. Remember, she has only you and
your father ..- .-..
Faithfully did Laura keep the promise to
the dying. Young as she was, she understood
the obligations it imposed upon her; and as she
had said, her own interests gave way before
her cousins. Laura's tasks were learned with
double diligence, in order that when Grace
needed assistance in hers it should be ready
for her. There was warm love between these
motherless ones that naught but death could
destroy.
/. When Laura was nineteen years old, Walter
Elliot, young man in whom Mr.. Danvers
was much interested, came to visit him. His
father had been for many years Mr.. Danvers'
partner in business, and Walter, on the death
of his own father, sought and found a firm,
friend in his former partner. He was hand
some. intelligent young man, a medical stu
dent; but by too close application to his books
he had injured his health severely, and the
physicians recommended a winter in the warm
er climate. An invitation from Mr.. Danvers
to pass it with him was gratefully accepted,
and Walter was expected every day.
It was a bright, clear day, in the early part
of November, when Walter, pale, sick and
weary with his long sea-voyage, arrived at his
friends house. Grace was spending a few
weeks in Havana with Mrs Ellis; Mr. Danvers
was taking his daily ride, and Laura was
alone to receive him. The ride and the exertion
of getting from the carriage were too much for
the invalid, and he tainted at the door. Laura
terrified at his death-lke appearance, stood
watching, while Mona had him carried into
the paror, and fastened away to find restora-
tives. She bent over him, parted the hair from
\ his high white forehead, and assisted Mona in
bathing his face, while her whole frame trem
bled with terror. ..-G --..s ~
.A When Walter recovered consciousness the
first object that met his gaze was the pale face
Of his hostess, whose eyes were fixed with deep
placed her tiny hands on his lips, whispering
Lie still, and don't try to lalk; Mona will
stay by you, while l give orders about your
room" And with smile and graceful cour-
tesy Laura left him. z......-4 ...5 .-. -1..
Walters fainting fit was but the beginning of
long illness; he was taken to his room, and
for seven weeks he did not leave it. Laura in
sistedupon sharing the fatigue of nursing him
with Mona; she it was who prepared his med
icne and cooling drinks, and in his delIrum,
placed the cloths wet with cold water upon his
head; while Moma who liked to reign supreme
in the sickroom, sat watching, with a mixture
of admiration and jealousy, the fair usurper OF
her Offices - ,-...-..-..-.. -. .-.-.-,.s F. 4
Walter had been delirous for several days;
but he lay one afternoon in a quiet sleep, from
which the doctor thought he would awaken in
his senses Laura took book and sat by the
side Of the bed, to be near when he wished for
while Mona sat sewing at the win
dow. Walter at length slowly opened bis eyes
and fixed them upon the fair reader, who, alb
sorbed in her book, did not see him. Henoted
all the maiden's beauties; the rich black hair 4