Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-12-11
ONLY A YEAR AGO.

Malcolm Douglas, in st. Nicholas.
"
ONLY A YEAR AGO.
'But you have known me so short a
time-only six weeks-how is it posi-
BILE that you can love mep''
'.How is it possible? Rather ask how
it is possible to avoid loving youp And
besides, is it really SO very incompre-
hensible, Avisp You have known me
just the same length of time, and yet
yeti have ventured to hope that you
that you love me, dear. Oh, Avis, is
the sweet hope false? Have / deceived
myself? Or viii 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, keep
ing him back by a gesture of her little
hand, while her great dark eyes were
fixed with beseeching earnestness upon
his face, answered.;
lit is not what | wish-or even what
you wish-that must be thought of, Mr..
Roy, but your mother-your mother,
who has been like mother to me also,
so good, so generous. What would she
say
Avoice, tremulous, yet stern, inter-
rupted her-a voice that made them
start and turn in confusion.
'.She would say that you are right
in remembering her. Avis, and that she
is glad of this proof of your gratitude;
for the rest, Roy Livingstone's mother
looks farther than her own family cir
Gle, and higher than to a poor depend
ent, however good or fair, when she
seeks a bride for her only son and fu-
ture mistress for the The Laurels.
Leave us, Avis. / do not blame YOU.
child; forget this folly, it has been no
fault of yours. win speak to you fur
Their presently in my room.
'.And so, she went on, turning to
her son, when Avis, silently weeping,
had left them-''and so this is the re-
suit o. 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; / should
have been more careful. But do YOU
hope that | shall tolerate such folly? /
overheard You ask the girl, just now,
to be your wife.
You did. The young man an
swered gently, but with resolution
that was unmistakable. II love her,
and will marry her
without my CONSENT Without your
mothers blessing? Is this the affec-
tion-the duty OF my own child?"
He put his arms around her.
~ COT of Oft
mother, and least of all for Avis sake.
She is too good, too ardcntly attached
to you to do aught that could wound
you. But will you not have compass
sion for us, also, mother? We love.
Avis has been to you as daughter al
ways; let it be mine to make her so, in
deed. Where could you ever find
child SO truly yours-whose heart and
soul you know whose mind is of your
own pure training? / love her with
love that will not change. Unless you
give me Avis for a wife, shall not
marry. :"
"Absurdr' 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.
''We know nothing of it, and | care
nothing. 1t is herself love-
Listen, Roy" The lady's proud
face softcned 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. She 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. VIII
you promisep''
ITO wait for your consent until our
guests are gomez Yes, | 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, /
will obey you"
II will tell her every word that has
passed between us, said Mrs. Living
stone.
And she meant to keep her promise.
But Avis was not waiting for her, as
she had expected. The girl had gone
to her own room, sending to Mrs. Liv-
ingstone piteous little message of ex-
cuse. Her head ached. Might she be
allowed TO keep in her own chamber?
The lady smiled.
II will set her heart at rest to-mor-
row." she thought. .'There is no time
now" For her expected guests were
arriving.
And when Roy looked at her inquir-
ingly, as he missed the girl,
''Shc wished to keep her room to-
night" she whispered. "All will be
well tomorrow.
prise came with it. Avis had disap-
peared.
THAT may not cause you grief or
pain-you who have been to me true
mother fly from temptation that
would prove too strong if / remained.
When / am gone your son will soon
forget me. pray God that he may
for his sake. But / shall not forget,
nor cease to love YOU -Farewell, dear
est friends. Forgive your little
AVIS
That was all; and she had 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 month
of weary searching he returned, heart
sick and discouraged.
mo news" he said. in answer to his
mothers anxious questions; ..nor will
there ever be. / have lost all hope of
finding her.
A year has passed since gentle Avis
disappeared, and once more gay par
ty 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 Liyingstone's brow, or
which the cloud of disappointment and
regret had grown habitual, cleared
somewhat as his artist-eyes took in her
fresh proud loneliness; and as he lis