The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-02-05

BLESSED be the merciful heaven that
mas kept her safely and restored her to
me after all these years. And you my
FRIEND" turning to Mrs. Livingstone,
"how 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 hesitateP l am strong
,nough 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. elias harm be-
fallen my child? Have found her on
ly to lose her? Avis, my daughter!
Where is she?"
Rose Brandon rushed to her side.
ssBe calm" she cried. "Avis is safe |
and well. No harm has come to her. |
Listen to me. can tell you where to
find her"
"You!o 1t was Roy who spoke.
"Yon know Avis?"
II know her we'll, 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 have helped you, had
known your troubles, long ago."
"It is nearly year since she came to
| us, in answer to an advertisement for q
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 I 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 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. 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.
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; ;
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 glowing
Goals.
A world of longing love and fond re-
| gret 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
l Roy. Where was he? How Jared he !:
! Had lie forgotten Avis? Alas poor
, Avis could not forget Hark what was
that?
l A footstep in the hall outside the
door. Nothing in that to make the
l eyes so bright and the pale cheek flush
4 to vivid crimson! Ah, but it had
sounded like Roy's footstep. Roy's
n footstep here-what idle dreaming
n What strange tricks fancy played hel
! ofte MT times.
She could close her eyes and hide hel
: face in her hands, as now-now, partly
e for shame at her own folly-and fancy
y oh, such things! Fancy The Laurels
, her happy home once more, and Mrs
Livingstone her kind adopted mother
i Fancy Roy's tender smile aad loving
i look; recall the very words he spoke
o his earnest tone-his sigh. ;.
$ What was that? That was not fanc,
surely She sat quite still--her fac,
!, still covered by her hands-and listened
: sigh had sounded close beside her
breathed like the very echo of he
S dream and now voice whispers he
J, name:
IL "Avis! Look at me. Avis!"
n She turned, she rose, gazed for on
', moment in his face, rs if bewildered
G then, with cry of love and JOY UNIT
2 terable; "Roy my beloved y and spran
). to the arms, sank on the breast of he
s true lover.
II "You have found me!' she cried
N "You have found mel"
Never to lose you again, Ayis-neve
|. again"
: And you mOtner
r; Her great eyes searched his face tim
idly, anxiously: :,
w "She will welcome you as do. W
10 shall part no more. You will learr
dear, that she never meant to part us
v And another waits for you. OF
cd come. love, come to the heart that ache
hit to welcome you--to the arms Of yor
st. own true Mother. !"
m Only one month later q brilliar
es bridal party aroused to joy and mirt
he the slumbering echoes OF the Laurel
vo And who so fair as Avis, the swe'
I'd bride, with her troop OF lovely bride:
X maids, of whom Rose Brandon laugl
of ed and blushed, the merry chic
nd Who so rich, so proud, so happy
Avis now? Avis, the founding, foun,
y. indeed, at last, and by her own tr,
n. Mother; Avis, the lost. restored to q
". who loved and morned her? Avis, Il
ed joyful bride of the generous, mob
I lover who, in the days Of her power
as and namelessness spite of time, al
or absence, and silence, and desertion
ed loved her faithfully and truly to Il
,t: last.
zee =
is General E. A. Perry, the democrat
ok Govern Dr. elect of Florida, is natl
II; Of the state of Massachusetts. He W
he young man when he removed to Flo
ids. and opened an office at Pensacc
ed Tor the practice OF the law. At the OF
IRE break Of the civil war he joined the &C
federatA army.