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

1 S<hA AOt tAaAiSiGf NY dlltt3ldlC6.
"Royf" cried the clear merry voice o.
Rose Brandon-"Roy, have you given
up painting? You used to be SO ambi-
tious. Only a 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?"
Il painted the picture, but never put
| it on exhibition. NV mother has it in
the library. / have never painted since, y
said Roy gravely.
A kind of chill fell on the company
instinctiyely they felt they were on dam
gerous ground. Even the beauty's hap
py voice took softer tone as she ques-
toned gently;
May we see the picture, Roy?"
He arose without word and led the
way to the library. the guests all fol-
lowing, led by Rose Brandon. Last of
all came Mrs. Livingstone, with her old
friend Mrs. Grey, fair, sad woman
with silver hair.
Mrs. Grey was great invalid, and
unconquerable grief had preyed upon
her heart for years and broken down
her fragile body. She leaned heavily
upon Mrs. Livingsone's arm.
What is this picture?" she asked
her.
"The portrait of one whom reared
and loved as my own child, and whom
we unaccountably lost, owing to an I'M
happy misunderstanding She was a
lovely creature, and was to have been
Roys wife. Sometimes I fear he will
never marry now"
BY this time they had reached the IL
brary. OF the many paintings on the
wall one only was concealed by heavy
curtain; Roy drew the crimson folds
aside
An exclamation from Mrs. Grey and
Rose Brandon and a murmur 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 a graceful girl, fair as
lilyfower; the lovely, wistful eyes.
with world of loving tenderness in
their midnight depths, looked out from
a face of exquisite beauty, but as ivory,
clear and pale; tender, dimpling
smile upon the scarlet lips, a trailing
spray Of scarlet blossoms in the blue
black hair, soft and glossy as the ravens
wing-a simple robe of white, and on
one lovely, snowy arm a curious golden
bracelet This was all.
Mrs. Grey stood like one entranced.
her agitation visible to all. Her deli
cate hands were tightly locked together;
her breath came In quick gasps.
Chow like" she murmured"; chow
strangely likel In heavens name, who
is she?"
MY adopted daughter Mrs. Liv-
ingstone replied, for Roy had turned
aside in silence, overcome by the sight
OF the beauty he had loved and lost.
twelve years ago / took her-then 5
years old from a poor old fisherman
down ON the beach, three or four miles
away. He had rescued her from the
sea on the night of great storm, two
years before, and had cherished and
cared for her tenderly but finding sick
ness and old age fast robbing him of
health and strength, he sought to find
friend for his little girl in me,
Imagination can not picture any
thing lovelier than the child was then.
I loved her at first sight, and have low
ed her always I adopted, educated
her and brought her up as my own.
have the clothes she wore when she was
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
a single word-the old fisherman took
it to be her name; and SO called her;
we never changed it. 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.
"Avisl" 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 all.
BLESSED be 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,
chow shall l 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? / am strong
enough joy does not kill. What is it ?"
she continued wildly, gazing with grow
ing fear upon the pale averted faces OF
both mother and son. "Has harm be-
fallen nv child? Have found her on
" to lose her? Avis. my daughter
Where is she?"
Rose Brandon rushed to her side.
'sBe calm she cried. "Avis is safe
and we'll. No harm has come to her.
Listen to me. / can tell you where to
find her."
"Youp' It was Roy who spoke.
"You know Avis?"
II know her well, but I have never |
known, until this moment, of her con-
nection with this family. Why have
you kept your loss and grief secret,
Roy? / could nave helped you, had / |
known your troubles, long ago."
at is nearly year since she came to
us, in answer to an advertisement for a
music governess for little Ida. Mother |
was sick when first she called and con-
sequently / received her She was so
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 ME as reference
her own former music teacher, who, |
while answering for Avis in every way,
declined to tell any thing 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. ] left her at home with Ida
and mother when came away. She is
there now"
Roy Livingstone caught her hands in
his aud pressed them to his lips.
"God 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