The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1885-03-26

health and strength, he sought to find
a friend for his little girl in mo-"
| Imagination can not picture any
thing lovelier than the child was then.
/ loved her at first sight, and have low
ell her always. 1 adopted, educated
her and brought her up rs my own.
have the clothes she wore when she wa,
F., found, but they furnish no clue to her
parentage, but on her arm, clasped
firmly above the elbow. was bracelet /;
it fits her slender wrist now; you see
she wears it in the portrait; upon it is
single wOrd-the old fisherman took
it to be her name; and so called her
We never changed il. Avis was the
word, and Avis she is called"
A cry from Mrs. Grey interrupted
her; she sank upon her knees before
the picture with outstretched arms.
"Avis!" she cried. my child-it Is
my child! Fourteen years ago the cruel
sea washed her and her father from my
arms. The waves restored him dead,
but she was seen no more. Where is
she oh, where is she? And the
clothes she wore?"
She sank back in Roy's supporting
arms speechless. almost insensible.
Mrs. Livingstone fastened from the
room, but returned Immediately with
the little garments.
Weeping with love and joy, the long.
bereaved mother identified them ell.
blessed lie the merciful heaven that
has kept her safely and restored her to
me after all these years. And You my
friend" turning to Mrs. Livingstone,
show shall thank you for your love
and care? Oh, bring her to me. Let
me clasp her once more in my arms.
Why do you hesitate' I am strong
enough JOY does not kill. What is il 4"
she continued wildly. gazing with grow
ing fear upon the pale averted faces OF
both mother and son. HAS harm he
fallen INV child? Have I found her on
" to lose her? Avis. my daughter!
Where is she?"
Rose Brandon rushed to hcr side.
''Be calm she cried. avis is safe
and we'll. No harm has come TO her.
Listen TO me. l can tell you where TO
find her."
your 1t was Roy who spoke.
"You know Avis?"
L
known, until this moment, of her con-
nection with this family. Why have
YOU kept your loss and grief . secret,
Roy? could have helped Won, had /
known your troubles, long ago."
1T is nearly year since she came to
MS. in answer t. an advertisement for a
music governess for little Ida. Mother
was sick when first she called and con-
sequei.tly l received her. She was 50
beautiful and innocent. and yet so sad
and friendless, that my whole heart
went out to her from the first. She
told me the simple story of her adop-
ton here and of Roy's love and hers,
but without mentioning single name,
so that ! never thought of you. She
had left, she said. in order that he might
forget her. She gave nle as u reference
her own former music teacher, who,
while answering for Avis in every way,
to tell anything that the girl had
left concealed. So she came to us and
has dwelt with us ever since, quiet and
sad, poor child, but safe and kindly
cared for. I left her at home with Ida
and mother when came away. She is
there now"
Roy Livingstone caught her hands in
his and pressed them to his lips.
Sod bless you, Rose !" he cried hoarse
with emotion. You have given me
back happiness and love. Mrs. Grey /
will bring your daughter to you. go
by the train that leaves in half an hour:
before nightfall you shall fold her in
your arms. Adieu. ALL" and he was
gone.
The dusky gray OF an Autumn twi-
light filled the lonely school room that
afternoon, but occasionally flashes Of
light from a small but cheerful fire
fell on the slender. girlish figure that
sat before it in low arm chair, her
soft, pale cheek supported by one lit
tie hand, her eyes fixed ON the glo wing
Goals.
A world of longing love and fond re-
greet was in those great dark eyes, that
saw not what they gazed upon, but
were looking far away into the past
Thinking of Roy-always thinking of
Roy. Where was he? How Jared he ?
Had he forgotten Avis? Alas poor
Avis coull not forget! Hank what WAS
that?
A footstep in the hall outside the
loor.- Nothing in that to make the
eyes so bright and the pale cheek flush |
to vivid crimson! All. but it had
like Roy's footstep. Rows
hcre-what idle dreaming |
What strange tricks fancy played her
ofte n times.
She could close her eyes and hide her
face in her hands, rs now-now, partly
for shame at her own folly-and fancy,
oh, such things! Fancy The Laurels
her happy home once more. and Mrs. |