The Warner weekly sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1885, 1885-03-20
low.n For her expected guests were

-
arriving.
And when Roy looked at her inquir-
ingIy, as he missed the girl his mother
said;
"She wished to keep her room 70
night" she whispered. "All will be
well tomorrow"
But when tomorrow came n sad sur
prise came with it. Avis had disap-
peared.
That | may not cause you grief OF
pain-you have been to me a true
! mother--I fly from a temptation that
would prove too strong if [ remained,
When l am gone, your son will soon
forget me. Ipray God that he may
for bis sake. But I shall not forget.
nor cease to love you. Farewell, dear
est friends. Forgive your little
Avs"
This 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 pur-
pose; 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 a month of weary
searching he returned. heartSick and
discouraged.
"No news" he said, In answer to his
mothers anxious questions; nor Will
there ever be. l have lost all hope of
finding her"
A year had passed since Avis disap-
peared, and once more a gay party 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 was not
wanted those who named her as the flu
ture mistress of the splendid but gloomy
house which her beauty and joyous
laughter made so bright.
Even Roy Lningstone's brow, on
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
tened to her animated talk, the smile
that haG grown so rare stole to his lips
and shone like q light in his eyes. His
mother, watched him, smiled, too, well
pleased.
'Is she not beautiful ~ she whispered
to him. "She would make a fair and
gracious queen for The Laurals, Roy"
But the gloom came back to his face
as he answered sadly:
my queen went into exile, mother a
year ago. Ihave a constant heart, and
can not transfer my allegiance"
Roy cried the clear merry voice of
Rose Brandcn-.Roy, have you given
up painting? You used to be so ambi-
tious. Only q year ago, / remember,
you were enthusiastic about some pic
ture that was to bring you fame. What
has become of it? Are you an artist
no longer"
II painted the picture, but W. put
it on exhibition. NV mother has it in
the library. I have " painted since,
said Roy gravely.
A kind of chill fell on the company;
~instinctivAly they felt they we're on dan
gerous ground. Even the beauty's hap
py voice took a softer tone as she CUES
toned gently:
MAY we see tho picture, Roy?"
He arose without a word and led the
way to the library, the guests all fol-
lowing, led By Rcse Brandon. Last of
all came Mrs. Livingstone, with her old
friend Mrs. Grey, a fair, sad woman
with silver hair.
Mrs. Grey WAS a great invalid, and
uncomfortable grief had preyed upon
her heart for years and broken down
her fragile body. She leaned heavily
upon Mrs. Li~vingsone's arm.
"What is this picture?" she asked
her.
aThe portrait Of one whom I reared
and loved aas nv own child. and whom
we afaaccountably lost, owing to an I'M
happy misunderstanding. She was a
lovely creature, and was to have been
Roy's wife. Sometimes / fear he will
never marry now
BY this time they had reached the III
brgry. OF the many paintings on the
wall one only was concealed by q heavy
curtain; Roy drew the crimson fields
aside.
An exclamation from Mrs. Grey and
Rose Brandon and a murmnr Of admi-
ration from all the rest bore witness to
the loneliness Of the image that was
disclosed.
Mrs. Grey pressed forward eagerly,
her weakness seeming for the time for
gotten.
The portrait of agraceful girl. fair as
a lily-hower the lovely, wistful eyes.
with a world Of loving tenderness in
their =ss;;aaH;shh. depths looked out from
a face Of exquisite beauty, but as ivory,
clear and pale; a tender, dimpling
smile upon the scarlet lips, q trailing
spray Of scarlet blossoms in the blue
black hair, soft and glossy as the ravens