The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-01
ONLY A YEAR AGO.

possible TO avoid loving your ana DeSlueS, Is IL
really so incomprehensible, Avisl You have
known me just the same length of time, and
~yet-yet-I have ventured to hope that you
that you love me, dear. Oh, Avis, is the sweet
hope falsel Have I deceived myself Or will
you, indeed, confirm it by promising to be, some
happy day, my wife?"
He would have caught and clasped the fair
girl in his arms, but she, keeping him back by a
gesture of her little hand, while her great dark
eyes were fixed with beseeching earnestness
upon his face, answered:
sit is not what 1 wish-nor even what you
wish-that must be thought of, Mr.. Roy, but
your mother-your mother, who has been like a
mother to me also, SO good, so generous. What
would she say
A voice, tremulous yet stern, interrupted her
"A voice that made them start and turn in some
confusion.
'She would say that you are right in remem-
bering her, Avis, and that she is glad OF this
proof of your gratitude; for the rest, Roy Liv-
ingtones mother looks farther than her own
family circle, and higher than to a poor depend
ent, however good or fair, when she seeks a
bride for her only son and a future mistress for
The Laurels. Leave us, Avis. l do not blame
you, child; forget this folly; it has been no fault
of yours. l will speak to you further presently
wait in my room"
anu 50, SIG WenG OH, turning - q Sohs
when Avis, silently weeping, had left them
''and so this is the result of your artist folly.
You would paint my pretty companions picture,
forsooth, and while so doing have stolen her
heart and lost your own. | might have
looked for this; l should have been more care
full. But do you hope that 1 shall tolerate such
folly4 l overheard you ask the girl, just now,
to be your wife"
"You did" The young man answered gently.
but with a resolution that was unmistakable. Il
love her and will marry her"
without my CONSENT Without your moth
er1s blessings Is this the affection-the duty of
my own child"
He put his arms around her.
Il shall never set you at defiance, mother, and
least OF all for Avis's sake. She is too good, too
ardently attached to you to do aught that could
wound you. But will you not have compassion
for us, also, mother9 We love. Avis has been
to you as a daughter always; let it be mine to
make her so, indeed. Where could you ever find
a child so truly yOurs-whose heart and soul you
know-whose mind is Of your own pure train
ing2 1 love her with a love that will not change.
Unless you give me Avis for a wife, l shall not
marry"
"AbsurdT' Mrs. Livingstone's eyes flashed
scornfully. when our guests arrive to-day
you will find many far superior to Avis. A
founding! 1t is not her poverty-we are rich
enough-but her birth"
W know nothing of it, and l care nothing.
1t is herself | love"
"Listen. Roy" The lady's proud face soft
ened as she laid one white hand on her sons
shoulder, while his arm stole around her fondly.
You are my only child; all my hopes are bound
up in you. Let us not quarrel about this foolish
girl. Shei is dear to me, also. Let us take time
to think. Compare the girl with others. When
our guests are gone, if you are in the same
mind, we will see what is best for all. Will you
promised"
ITO wait for your consent until our guests are
goneR Yes, l can promise that"
And, meantime, not to speak of this to
Avis"
That's harder, mother. But if you will tell
her that you may consent, 1 will obey you"
Il will tell her every word that has passed
between us" said Mrs. Livingstone.
And she meant to keep her promise. But Avis
was not waiting for her, as she had expected.
The girl had gone 20 her own room, sending to
Mrs. Livingstone q piteous little message of eX-
cuse. Her head ached. Might she be allowed to
keep in her own chamber4
The lady smiled.
II will set her heart at rest tomorrow" she
thought. There is no time now" For her ex-
pected guests were arriving.
And when Roy looked at her inquiringly, as he
missed the girl
'She wished to keep'her room tonight" she
whispered. A will be we'll tomorrow"
But when tomorrow came a sad surprise came
with it. Avis had disappeared.
That may not cause you grief or pain-you who
have been to me a true mother-I fly from a tempta-
ton that would prove too strong ifI remained. When
l am gone your son viii soon forget me. L pray to
God that he may-forh his sake. But L shall not forget,
nor cease to love you. Farewell, dearest friends.
Forgive your little AVIS.
This was all, and she was gone-leaving no
trace, making no further sign.
In vain Roy sought for her, even with the
help of detectives, having left home and come to
the city for that purpose, while his mother, no
less anxious for the safety of the lost girl, made
what excuse she could to her assembled guests
for his absence. After a month of weary search
ing he returned, heartsick and discouraged.
No news, he said, in answer to his mothers
anxious question; nor will there ever be. l
have lost all hope of finding her."
n n
A year had passed since gentle Avis disap-
peared, and once more a gay party of merry
guests made The Laurels bright and cheerful,
foremost among them Rose Brandon, the beauty
and heiress and belle.
A great favorite was she with stately Mrs.
Livingstone, and there were not wanted those
who named her as the future mistress of the
splendid but gloomy house which her beauty
and joyous laughter made so bright.
Even Roy Livingstone's brow, on which the
cloud of disappointment and regret had grown
habitual, cleared mewha as his artist-eyes
took in her fresh, proud loneliness, and as he
listened to her animated talk, the smile that had
grown so rare stole to his lips and shone like a
light in his eyes. His mother, watching him,
smiled, we'll pleased.
is she not beautiful2' she whispered to him.
IShe would make a fair and gracious queen for
The Laurels, Roy"
But the gloom came back to his face as he an
swered sadly:
my queen went into exile, mother. a year
ago. have a constant heart, and cannot trans
fer my allegiance"
"Roy!" cried the clear merry voice of Rose
B~randon-"Roy, have you given up ~painting9
You used to be ambitious. Only a year ago, l
remember, you were enthusiastic about some
picture that was to bring you fame. What has
become of it} Are you an artist no longerF'
II painted the picture, but never put it on ex-
hibition. My mother has it in the library. l
have never painted since" said Roy gravely.
A kind of chill fell on the company; instinct
lively they fe,t they were on dangerous ground.
Even the ~beauty's happy voice took a softer tone
as she questioned gently: