St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-11-04
ONLY A YEAR AGO.

''How is 1t possiblel Rather ask how is II
possible to avoid loving youl And besides,
is 1t really so incomprehensible, Ayisl You
have known me just the same length Of time
and yet-yet- 1 have ventured 70 hope that
you-that you love me, dear. Oh, Avis, is
the sweet hope falsel Have i deceived my
self Or viii you, indeed, confirm q by
promising 70 be, some happy day, my wifei''
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 beseech-
ing 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 mother 10 me, also, 50 good, so gener-
Gus. What would she say
voice. tremulous yet stern, interrupted
her-a voice that made them start and turn
in some confusion
she would say that you are right tn re-
Numbering her, Avis, and that she is glad Of
this proof Of your gratitude; FOE the rest, Roy
Livingstone's mother looks farther than her
own family circle. and higher than to poor
dependent however good OF fair, when she
seeks bride for her only son and future
mistress for The Laurels. Leave US. Avis.
do not blame you, child; forget this folly, ii
has been no fault Of yours. viii speak to
you further presently-wait in my room.'
"And so,'' she went on, turning to her
son, when Avis, silently weeping had left
them-''and so this is the result OF your art
ist folly. You would paint my pretty com
panion's picture, forsooth, and while so DO
ing have stolen her heart and lost your own.
Knight have looked for this; should have
been more careful. But DO you hope that I
shall tolerate such.follyi overheard you
ask the girl, just now, 10 be your Wife"
''You did" The young man answered
gently, but with resolution that was un-
mistakeable. 81 love her and will marry
herr
sswithout my consents Without your
mothers blessings Is this the Affection
the duty Of my own ehildF'
He put his arms around her.
II shall never set you ct defiance, mother,
and least Of all for Avis's sake. She is too
good, too ardently attached 10 You TO do
aught that could wound you. But will you
not have compassion for US, also, mOtheri
We love. Avis has been to you as a daught-
er always; LEI II be mine 10 make her so, in 81
/ deed. Where could you ever find child so
| truly yours-whose heart and soul you know
whose mind is Of your own pure trainingl
/ love her with love that will not change.
! Unless you give me Avis for a wife, i shall
not marry"
"Absurdpr Mrs. Liyingstone's ewes
I FaahaI Frf1r- sENilau raur ortra A.
rive to-day you will fni many far superior
| 10 Avis. A foundlingi IL IS not her pow
erty-we are rich enough-but her birth"
''We know nothing Of it. and l care no
thing. 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 in you. Let us not
quarrel about this foolish girl. She is dear
TO me. also. Let US take time TO think.
When our guests are gone, II you are in the
same mind, we viii see what is best for all.
VIII you promisei"
''To wait for your consent until our guest:
are Comet Yes, eau promise that"
"And, meantime, not TO speak Of this &c
Avis"
That's harder, mother. But II you viii
tell her that you may consent, will obey
you"
az will tell her every word that has passed
between u.s." said Mrs. Livingstone.
And she meant 10 keep her promise. But
Avis was not waiting for her, as she had eX-
pected. The girl had gone 70 her own room
sending 10 Mrs. Livingstone piteous littll
message OF excuse. Her head aehed. Might
she be allowed TO keep in her own chamber
The lady smiled.
81 viii set her heart at rest tomorrow,
she thought. "Thera is no time now Fo
her expected guests were arriving.
And when Roy looked at her inquiringly,
as he missed the girl
'tShe wished 20 keep her room tonight, y
she whispered. Gan viii be well tomorrow
But when tomorrow came sad surpris
came with it. Avis had disappeared
THAT 1 may not cause you grief or pain
you who have been TO me a true mother
fy from a temptation that would prove to
strong II remained. When / am gon
your son will soon forget me. ! pray Coo
that he may-for his sake. But shall nc
forget, nor cease to love you Farewell
dearest friends. Forgive your little
Avis"
This was all; aud she had goue-leavin
no trace, making no further sign.
In vain Roy sought for her, even with ID
help Of detectives; having left home anC
come 10 the city for that purpose; while hi
mother. no less anxious for the safety OF th
lost girl, made what excuse she could to hei
assembled guests for his absence. After
month OF weary searching be returned hear
sick aud discouraged.
"No news" he said, in answer TO hi
mothers an xious questions; ''nor will theT
ever be. have lost all hope Of hndin
her."
A year had passed since gentle Avis ha
disappeared, and once more a gay party {
merry guests made the Laurels bright an
cheerful, foremost among them Rose BraI
don, sthe beauty and heiress, and belle.
a great favorite was she with stately Mr.
Livingstone, and there were not wanted tho:
who named her as the future mistress OF II
splendid but gloomy house which her beaul
and joyous laughter made so bright.
Even Roy LiVingston's brow, on whic
the cloud OF disappointment aud regret Ia
grown habitual, cleared somewhat as his ar
ist-eyes..took in her fresh proud lovelines
and as he listened TO her animated talk, d
smiles that had grown so rare stole to his III
and shone like light in his eyes. his me
Their watching him, smiled too, We
; pleased.
''Is she not beautifulF' she whispered {
him. ''She would make a fair aud gracioU
queen for the Laurels, Roy"
: But the gloom came back to his face as
T answered sadly:
''My queen went into exile mother, YET
ago, have constant heart and eann'
; transfer nv allegiance"
''Royr' cried the clear merry voice
Rose Brandon-''Roy, have you given U
paintingi You used to be so ambition
= Only year ago l remember you were Ell
thusiastic about some picture that was