Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-11-21

Mrs. Grey was great Invalid, and
unconquerable grief had preyed upon
her heart for years and broken down
her fragile body. She leaned heavily
on Mrs. Livingstone's arm.
"What is this picture" she asked
her.
The portrait of one whom | reared
and loved as my own child, and whom
we unaccountably lost, owing to an
unhappy understanding. She was a
lovely creature, and was to have been
Roy's wife. Sometimes l fear he will
never marry now"
By this time they had reached the
library. OF the many paintings on
the wall one only was concealed by a
heavy curtain; Roy drew the crimson
folds aside.
An exclamation from Mrs. Grey
and Rose Brandon and a murmur OF
admiration from all the rest bore wit
ness to the loneliness of the image that
was disclosed.
Mrs. Grey pressed forward eagerly,
her weakness seeming for the time for
gotten.
The portrait of a graceful girl, fan
as lily flower; the lovely wistful
eyes, with a world of loving tender
ness in their midnight depths, looked
out from a face of exquisite beauty
but as ivory. clear and pale; tender
dimpring smile Ipon the scarlet lips
a trailing spray of scarlet blossoms IL
the blue-black hair, soft and glossy as
the ravens wing-a simple robe Of
white, and on one lovely snowy arm
a curious golden bracelet. This was
all
Mrs. Grey stood like one entranced
her agitation visible to all. Her deli
cate hands were tightly locked togeth
err; her breath came in quick grasps
"How hke!" she murmured; ''how
strangely like! In heavens name,
who is she2"
"My adopted daughter" Mrs. Liv
ingston replied, for Roy had turned
aside in silence, overcome by the
sight of the beauty he had loved and
lost. Twelve years ago | took her
then five years old-fron poor
old fisherman down on the beach,
three or four miles away. He had
rescued her from the sea on the night
of great storm, two years before,
and had cherished and cared for her
tenderly; but finding sickness and old
age fast robbing him of health and
strength, he sought to find friend
for his little girl in me.
Imagination cannot picture any
thing lovelier than the child was
then. | loved her at first sight. and
have loved her always. L adopted,
educated her, and brought her up as
my own. have the clothes she wore
when she was found, but they furnish
no clue to her parentage, but on her
arm, clasped firmly above the elbow,
was bracelet; it fits her slender wrist
now; you see she wears it IN the por-
trait; upon ii is a single word the
old fisherman took it TO be her name,
and so called her; we never changed
it. Avis was the word, and Avis
she is called
A cry from Mrs Grey interrupted
her; she sank upon her knees before
the picture with outstretched arms.
Avis" she cried. My child-it
is my child Fourteen years ago the
cruel sea washed her and her father
from my arms. The waves restored
him dead, but she was seen no more.
Where is she-oh, where is she2 And
the clothes she wore2"
She sank back in Roy's supporting
arms sseechless almost insensible.
Mrs. Livingtone fastened from the
room, but returned Immediately with
the little garments.
Weeping with love and Joy, the
long bereaved mother Unidentified them
all.
Blessed be the merciful heaven
that has kept her safely, and restored
her to me after all these years. And
you, my friend, turning to Mrs. Liv
ingstone, "how snail thank you for
your love and carer Oh, bring her TO
me. Let me clasp her once more in
my arms. Why do you hesitate9 l
am strong enough; JOY does not kill.
What is it2 She continued wildly,
gazins with growing fear upon the
pale, averted faces of both mother and
son. Has harm befallen my chlld2
Have | found her only to lose herr
Avis, my daughter Where is she2'
Rose Brandon rushed to her side.
BE calm" she cried. Avis is
safe and well. No harm has come to
her. Listen to me. | can tell you
where to find her."
Your 1t was Roy who spoke.
"You know AvisG"
Il know her well, but l have never
known, until this moment, of her con
nection with this family. Why have
you kept your loss and grief a secret,
Roy3 | could have helped you, had
l known your troubles, long ago."
1T is nearly a year since she came
to us, in answer 10 an advertisement
for a music governess for little Ida
Mother was sick when first she called
and consequently received her. She
was so beautiful and innocent and yet
so sad and friendless, that my whole
She told me the simple story of her
adoption here and of Rey's love anu
hers, but without mentioning a single
name, so that | never thought of you.
She had left, she said, i'll order that
he might forget her. She gave nae as
a reference her own former music
teacher, who, while answering for
Avs in every way, declined to tell
anything that the girl had left con-
cealed. So she came to US and has
dwelt with us ever since, quiet and
sad, poor child, but safe and kindly
cared for. left her at home with Ida
and mother when l came away. She
is there now"
Roy Livingstone caught her hands
in his and pressed them to his lips.
God bless syou. Rosel" he cried,
hoarse with emotion. You have
given me back happiness and love.
Mrs. Grey, will bring your daughter
TO you. l go Sy the train that leaves
in half an hour; before nightfall you
shall fold her in your arms. Adieu,
all y aud he was gone.
The dusky gray of an autumn twi-
light flled the lonely shool-room that
but occasionally flashes
of light from a small but cheerful fire
fell on the slender girlish figure that
sat before it in a low armchair, her
soft male cheeks Supported by one lit