River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-01-01
ONLY A YEAR AGO.

"But you have known me so short
time-only six weeks-how is it posi-
bic that you love me?"
"How is it possible? Rather ask how
is it possible to avoid loving You
And besides, is it really so incompre
hensible, Avis? You have known mt
just the same length of time, and YET
yeti have ventured to hope tha
you-that you love me, dear. Oh
Avis, is the sweet hope false? Have j
deceived myself? Or will you, indeed
confirm it by promising to be, some
happy day, my wife?"
He would have caught and clasped
the fair girl in his arms, but she, keep
ing 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 mother to me also
so good, SO generous. What would
she say"
A voice tremulous yet stern, inter
rupted her-a voice that made them
start and turn in confusion.
"She would say you are right in re-
Numbering her, Avis, and that she is
glad of this proof of your gratitude
for the rest, Roy Livingstone's mother
looks farther than her own family circle,
and higher than poor dependent, how
ever good or fair, when she seeks bride
for her only son and future mistress
for The Laurels. Leiye us, Avis. /
do not blame you, child; forget this
folly, it has been no fault of yours. /
will speuk to you further presently
wait in my room"
"And SO, she went on turning to her
son, when Avs. silently weeping, had
left them-"and so this is the result of
your artist folly. You would paint my
pretty companions picture, forsooth,
and while so doing have stolen her heart
and lost your own. | might have look
ed 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. Z"
"You did" The young man answer
ed gently, but with resolution that
was unmistakable Il love her and
will marry her"
without my consent? Without your
mothers blessing2 Is this the affec-
tion--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 sake.
She is too good, too ardently attached
to you to do aught that could wound
you. But will you not have compassion
for us, also, mother? We love. Avis
has been to you as 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
know-whose mind is of your own pure
training? Hove her with love that
will not change. Unless you give me
Avis for wife shall not marry"
Absurd" Mrs. Livingstone's eyes
flashed scornfully. "When our guests
arrive to-day you will find many far
superior to Avis. A foundlingl 1t is
not her poverty-we are rich enough
but her birth"
1--WE know nothing of it, and I care
nothing. 1t is herself Hove"
Listen, Roy" The lady's proud
face softened as she laid one white hand
on her sons shoulder, while his arm
stole around ler fondly. "You are my
only child; al my hopes are bound up
in you. Let us not quarrel about this
girl. She is dear to me, also. Let us
take time to think. Compare the girl
with others. When our CUES is are
gone, if you are in the same mind. we
will see what is best for all. Will you
promise?"
''To wait for your consent until our
guests are gone? Yes, | can promise
that"
"And, meantime, not to speak of this
to Avis"
"That's harder, mother. Put if you
will tell her that you may consent, l
will obey you"
II viii tell her every word that has
passed between us," said Mrs. Living
stone.
And Size meant to keep her promise.
But Avis was not waiting for her, as
she had expected The girl had gone to
her own room, sending to Mrs. Living
stone piteoas little message of excuse
Her head acaed. Night she be allowed
to keep her own chamber.
The lady smiled.
81 will set Ter heart at rest to-mor-
row." she thought. There is no time
now" For her expected guests were
arriving.
And when Roy looked at her inquir
ingly, as he missed the girl his mother
said;
"She wished to keep her room to-
night, she whispered. "All will be
well tomorrow.
But when tomorrow came sad sur
prise came with it. Avis had disap-
peared.
"That I may not cause you grief or
pain-you have been to me true
MOTHER fly from a temptation 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 to love you. Farewell, dear
est friends. Forgive your little
AVIS"
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 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. / have lost all hope of
finding her.
A wear had passed since Avis disap
peared, AID once more 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 fu-
ture mistress of the splendid but gloomy
house which her beauty and Joyous
laughter made SO bright.
Even Roy Liyingstone's brow, on
which the cloud of disappointment and
regret had grown habitual, cleared