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

"But you have known me so short
time-only six weeks-how is 1t pos
sibIe that you love me"
"How is sit possible2 Rather @.sk
how is it possible to avoid loving your
And b sides, is it really so incompre-
hensible. Avisl You have known
me Just the same length of time, and
yetSyet-I have ventured to hope
that you-that you love me, dear.
Oh. Avs, is the sweet hope falsef Or
will you, indeed confirm 1t by pro
missing to be, some happy day, my
wife2'
He would have caught and clasped
the fair girl in his arms, but she,
keeping him back by gesture of her
little hand, while her great dark eyes
were fixed with beseeching earnestness
upon his face, answered:
at 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 a mother
10 me also, so good, so generous.
What would she say
A voice, tremulous yet stern, inter
DtT-a WHO lIhAO bNSiA 'S"~AN
and turn in some confusion.
"She would say that you are right
in remembering her, Avis, and that
she is glad of this proof of your graft
tude; for the rest, Roy Livingstone's
mother looks farther than her own
family circle, and higher that poor
dependent, however good or fair, when
she see ks a bride for her only son and
n future mistress for The Laurels.
Leave us, Avis. do not blame you,
child; forget this folly, it has been no
fault of yours. / will speak to you
further presently-wait in nay room"
"And So" she went on, turning to
her son, when Avis, silently weeping,
had lie them land so this is the result
of your artist folly. You would paint
my pretty companions picture, for
sooth, 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? L
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
aud will marry her"
without my conse.t2 Without
your mothers blessings Is this tie
affection the duty of my own child"
He put his arms around her.
II 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 ought that
could wound you. But will you not
have compassion for us also, mother2
We love. Avis has been 10 you as a
daughter always; let it be mine to
make her SO, indeed. Where could
you ever find child SO truly yours
whose heart and soul you truly know
whose mind is Of your own pure
.raiuing2 / love her with a love that
Will not change. Unless you give
me Avis for wife, shall not marry"
Absurd" Mrs. Ihvingston's eye
flashed scornfully. when our guests
arrive to-day you will find many su
perior to Avis, A founding! 1t is
not her poverty-we are rich enough
but her birth"
I'VE know nothing of it, and
care nothing 1t is herself love.
Listen, Roy" The lady's proud
face softened 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 III you. Let us not quarrel
about this foolish girl. She is dear to
me, also. Let MS take time to think
Compare the girl with others. When
our guests are gone, if you are in the
same mind, we will sec W hat is best
for all VIII you promise2"
"ro wait for your consent until
Our guests are gomez 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, l
will obey YOU
IL will tell her every word that has
passed between U.S. said Mrs. Liv
ingstone.
And she meant to keep her prom
Use. But Avis was not waiting for
ner as she had expected. The girl
he'd gone 10 her own room, sending
To Mrs. Livingstone piteous little
message of excuse. Her head ached.
Might she be allowed to keep her own
chambcrG
The lady smiled.
Il will set her heart at rest to-mor
row, she thought. There is no time
now" For her expected guests were
arriving.
And when her boy looked at her in
oulringly, as he missed the girl, his
mother said:
"'She wished to keep her room to-
night, she whispered. "All will be
we'll To morrow
But when tomorrow came a sad |
surprise came with it. Avis had dis
appeared.
THAT may not cause you grief or
pain you have been to me true |
mother fly from astemptation that |
would prove too strong If l remained. |
When | am gone your son will soon
forget me. pray God that he may
for his sake. But | shall not forget, |
nor cease 10 love you. Fare we'll.
dearest friend. Forgive your little
Avis"
This was all, and she had gone
ltdNlHS uo liSCt, uahlhS ho AuI'A
sign.
In vain Roy sought for her, even
with the help of detectives; having
left home and come to this city fer
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, hesrtsick and discourag-
ed.
No news" he said, in answer to
his mothers anxious questions; nor
will there ever be. l have lost all
nope of finding her"
A year had passed since Avis disap-
pesred, and once more gay party of
merry guests made The Laurels bright
and cheerful. foremost among them
Rose Brandon, the beauty, heress,
and belle.
A great favorite was she with state