Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-11-27

AnO
the clothes she wore?"
She sank back in Roy's supporting
arms speeches., 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, show shall / thank you for
your love and cares Oh, bring her to
me. Let me clasp her once more in
my arms. Why do you hesitates I
am strong enough; JOY does not kill.
What is it? She continued wildly,
gazing with growing fear upon the
pale, averted faces of both mother and
son. "Has harm befallen my child?
Have I found her only to lose her2
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- I can tell you
where to find her"
"Youw 1t was Roy who spoke.
"You know Avis?"
ST know her well, but I have never
known, until this moment, of her con-
nection with this family. Why have
you kept your loss and grief a secret,
Roy? I could have helped you, had
I known your troubles, long ago."
cit is nearly year since she came
to us, in answer to 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
heart went out to her from the first.
She told me the simple story of her
adoption here and of Rey's love anu
hers, but without mentioning single
namt, SO that never thought of you.
She had left, she said, in order that
he might forget her. She gave nae as
a reference her own former music
teacher, who, while answering for
Avis 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 I came away. She
is there now"
Roy Livingstone caught her hands
in his and pressed them to his lips.
''God bless syou, Rose" he cried,
hoarse with emotion. "You have
given me back happiness and love.
Mrs. Grey, l will bring your daughter
to you. I go by the train that leaves
in half an hour; before nightfall you
shall fold her in your arms. Adieu,
ALL" and he was gone.
4
The dusky gray of an autumn twi-
light filled the lonely shool-room that
afternoon, 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 pale cheeks supported by one lit
tie hand, her eyes fixed on the glow
ing Goals.
A world of longing love and fond
regret was in those great dark eyes,
that saw not what they gazed upon,
but were looking far away into the
past.
Thinking of Roy-always thinking
of Roy Where was he? How Jared
he? Had he forgotten Avis9 Alas!
poor Avis could not forget! Hark!
what was that?
A footstep in the hall outside the
door, Nothing in that to make the
hr1o If l,a, IL oh l.
to vived crimson! All, but it had
sounded 1.-The Roy's footstep. Roy's
footstep here-what idle dreaming
What strange tricks fancy played her
oftentimes.
She could close her eyes and hide
her face in her hands, as now.-now,
partly for shame at her own fond
folly-and fancy, oh, such thingsl
Fancy The Laurels her happy home
once more, and Mrs. Livingstone her
kind adopted mother! Fancy Rows
tender smile and LOVING look; recall
the very words he spoke his earnest
tone-his sigh.
What was that2 That was not fam
cy, surely2 She sat quite still-her
face still covered by her hands-and
listened; sigh had sounded close be-
side her, breathed like the very echo
of her dream; and now voice-oh.
heavens, what voice i-whispered her
name:
"Avis! Look at me, Avls!"
She turned, she rose, she gazed for
one moment in his face as if bewilder-
ed; then. with cry of love and ioy
unutterable: ''Roy! my beloved?'
sprang to the arms, sank on the breast
of her true lover.
"You have found mel" she cried.
"You have found mew
''Never to lose you again, Avis
never again"
'.And your mother?"
Her great eyes searched his face
timidly.
''She will welcome you as I do. We
shall part no more. You will learn,
that she never meant to part us. And
another waits for you. Oh, come,
love, come, to The heart that aches to
welcome you-to the arms of your
own true mother"