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

''But you have known me so short
time-only six weeks.how is 1t pos
sibIe that you love me?
Chow is it possible? Rather 2.sk
how is it possible to avoid loving you?
And besides, is it really so incompre-
hensible, Avis? 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.
On, AVIS, is the sweet hope false? Or
will you, indeed, confirm it by pro
missing to be, some happy day, my
wife?"
He would have caught and clasped
she 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:
''It 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
to me also, SO good, so generous.
What would she say
A voice, tremulous yet stern, inter
rupted her-a voice made them start
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 seeks bride for her only son and
u 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? [
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. 81 love her
and will marry her."
without my consent? Without
your mothers blessings Is this the
affection-the duty of my own childP'
He put his arms around her.
st 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, mother?
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 truly know
whose mind is of your own pure
training? 7 love her with love that
will not change. Unless you give
me Avis for wife, shall not marry"
"Absurd" Mrs. Livingston's eye
flashed scornfully. ''When our guests
arrive to-day you will find many SUI
perior to Avis. A founding! 1t is
not her poverty-we are rich enough
but her birth"
''We know nothing of it, and I
care nothing. It 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 thin k.
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 promises"
''To wait for your consent until
our guests are gone? Yes, | can
promise that.
"And, meantime, not to speak OF
this 10 Avis"
"That's harder, mother. But If you
will tell her that you may consent, !
will obey you"
st 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 fol
her, as she had expected. The CIR
mad gone TO her own room, sending
10 Mrs. Livingstone a piteous little
message of excuse. Her head ached
Might she be allowed TO keep her owl
chamber2
The lady smiled.
st viii set her heart at rest to-mor
row, she thought. ''There is no tins
now For her expected guests wer,
arriving.
And when her boy looked at her in
quiringly, as he missed the girl, hi
mother said:
'sShe wished to keep her room to
night, she whispered. 'tAll will b
well tomorrow"
But when tomorrow came a sal
surprise came with il. Avis had dis
appeared.
"That I may not cause you grief o
pain you have been to me tru
mother fly from a.temptation tina
would prove too strong If remained