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

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 csuld to her assembled guests
for his absence. After month of weary
searching he returned. heartsick and
"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 fu-
ture mistress Of the splendid but gloomy
house which her beauty and joyous
laughter made 80 bright.
Even Roy Liyingstone's brow, on
which the cloud OF disappointment and
regret had grown habitual, cleared
somewhat as his artist-eyes took in her
fresh, proud loveliness, and as he lis
tened to her animated talk, the smile
that had grown so rare stole to his lips
and shone like light in his eyes. His
mother, watched him, smiled, too, well
pleased.
els she not beautiful ?" she whispered
to him. "She would make 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
wear ago. Ihave q 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 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?"
"I painted the picture, but never put
it on exhibition. MY mother has it in
the library. / have never painted since,
said Roy gravely.
A kind of chill fell on the company
instiuctively they felt they were on dan
gerous ground. Even the beauty's hap
pv voice took softer tone as she ques
toned gently:
"NIay we see the picture, Roy?"
He arose without word and led thu
way to the library, the guests all fol
lowing, led by Rose Brandon. Last Of
all came Mrs. Livingstone, with her olt
friend Mrs. Grey, fair, sad womal
with silver hair.
Mrs. Grey was great invalid, AM
unconquerable grief had preyed upo
her heart for years and broken dow,
her fragile body. She leaned heavil.
upon Mrs. Livingsone's arm.
"What is this picture?" she aske
her.
"Ihe portrait of one whom I reare
and loved as my own child, and whor
we unaccountably lost, owing to an un
happy misunderstanding. She was
lovely creature, and was to have bee
Roy's wife. Sometimes fear he wi
never marry now"
BY this time they had reached the Ii
brary. OF the many paintings on th
wall one only was concealed by heav
curtain; Roy drew the crimson fold
aside.
An exclamation from Mrs Grey an
Rose Brandon and a murmur Of adm
ration from all the rest bore witness t
the loveliness of the image that wa
disclosed.
Mrs. Grey pressed forward eagerly
her weakness seeming for the time fol
gotten.
The portrait OF graceful girl, fair s
ily-fower; the lovely, wistful eye
with world of loving tenderness
their midnight depths, looked out fro
q face of exquisite beauty, but as ivor
clear and pale; tender, dimplin
smile upon the scarlet lips, o trailir
spray Of scarlet blossoms in the blu
, black hair, soft and glossy as the raven
, wing-a simple robe of white, and o
one lovely, snowy arm curious golde
bracelet. This was all.
Mrs. Grey stood like one entrance'
her agitation visible to all. Her del
cate hands were tightly locked togethe
! her breath came in quick gasps.
! "How like!" she murmured"; "ht
, strangely like! In heavens name, vi
is she?"
,, "NIy adopted daughter" Mrs. Ii
! : ingstone replied, for Roy had turn
a aside in silence, overcome by the sig
j OF the beauty he had loved and 10
q "Twelve years ago took her-ther
q years old--from a poor old tisherm
! down on the beach, three or four mil
away. He had rescued her from t
: sea on the night of o great storm, t
a years before, and had cherished ii
cared for her tenderly but finding sit
3 ness and old age fast robbing him
health and strength, he sought to Fl
II friend for his little girl in me,
1 "Imagination can not picture an
thing lovelier than the child was the
IS loved her at first sight, and have lc
: ed her always. / adopted, educat
her and brought her up as my own.
). have the clothes she wore when she v
IS found, but they furnish no clue to |
O parentage, but on her arm, clasp
s firmly above the elbow, was bracel'
it fits her slender wrist now; You
d she wears it in the portrait; upon il
la single word-the old fisherman to
it to be her name; aud SO called h
r we never changed it. Avis was
,e word, and Avis she is called - 2
re- A cry from Mrs. Grey interrupt
her; she sunk upon her knees bef
r the picture with outstretched arms.
er aAyisln she cried. my child il
my child Fourteen years ago the or
o. sea washed her and her father from
oe arms. The waves restored him de
but she was seen no. more. Where
r she ?-oh, where is she? And