The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-10-08
THE WAIF OF THE SEA.

@s12 never married. Years before he had
,SseA fallen in love with his mothers
adopted daughter, founding, but one night
she had disappeared, leaving only a simple
note of farewell behind
One day when the house was full of guests
Roy Livingstone, the young heir, was show
ing them his paintings. One portrait of
beautiful young girl drew forth enthusiastic
praise from the company. My adopted
daughter" exclaimed Mrs. Livingstone.
''She was found by an old fisherman who
had rescued her from the sea. have no
clew TO her parentage except br acelet en-
graved with the name AVIS. A cry from
Mrs. Grey, one OF the guests, startled the
company. She had kneeed with out.
stretched arms toward the picture. Avis,
she cried, my daughter. Where, oh!
where is she?"
She sank back into Roy's supporting
arms speechleSs, almost insensibie. Mrs.
Livingstone fastened from the room, but
returned Immediately with the little gar
ments Weeping with love and joy, the long
bereaved mother identified them all.
Blessed be the meTciful Herven that has
kept her safely and restored her to me after
ali these years! A. you, my friend,n
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 hesitate?
am strong enough; JOY does not Kill. What
is it?" she continued, wildly, gazing with
growing fear upon the pale, averted faces of
mother and son. Has harm befallen my
child Have found her only to lose her?
Avis my daughter! Where is she?"
Rose Brandon sprang to her side
- BE calm" she cried. " Avis Is safe and
well. No harm has come to her. Listen to
me. can tell you where to find her"
"Your' 1t was Roy that spoke. You
know Avis?'
Il know her well, but have never known,
until this moment, OF her connection with
this family. Why have you kept your loss
and grief a secret, Roy? | could have
helped you. had | known your troubles, long
ago.
" II is nearly year since she came to US,
in answer TO an advertisement Tor music
governe-s for little Ida. Mother was sick
when first she called, and consequently |
received her. She was so beautiful ana in
nocent, aud yet so sad and frendlesS, that
my whole heart went out to her from the
first. She told me the simple story OF her
adoption here and of Roy's love and hers,
but without mentioning Il 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 a reference her own former
music-teacher, who, while answering for
Avis in every way, declined to tell anything
that the girl had left concealed 80 she
came to US, and dwelt with Us ever since;
quiet and sad poor child, but safe and
kindly cared for. l left her at home with
Ida and mother when l came away. She IS
there now"
Roy Livingstone caught her hands in his
"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. l 90 by the train that
leaves in half an hour; before nlghtfail You
shall fold her in your arms. Adeu, all"
and he was gone.
One dusky gray Of an autumn twilight
filed the lonely scnOol-room that afternoon,
but occasionally flashes of light from small
but cheerful fire fell on the slender girllsh
figure that sat before it in low armchair,
her soft, pale cheek supported by one
little hand, her eyes fixed on the glowing
Goals. 3 world of longing love and
fond regret 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 could not
forget! Hark! what was that? A footstep
in the hall outside the door. Nothing in
that TO make the eyes so bright and the
pale cheek flush to vivid crimson. All!
but it had sounded Ike Roy's fo0tstep.
Roy's footstep Roy's footstep-here-
what idle dreaming! What strange tricks
fancy played her oftentimes. She could
close her eyes, and hide her face in her
hands, az now-now, partly for shame at
her own fond folly-and fancy, oh, such
things. Fancy the Laurels her happy
home once more, and Mrs. Livingstone her
kind adopted mother! Fancy Roy's kind
smile and loving look recall the very words
he spoke-his earnest tone-hiS sigh
What was thar? That was not fancy,
surely? she sat quite still, her, face still
covered by her hands, and listened. a sigh
had sounded close beside her, breathed like
the very echo of her dream; and now
voice-oh. heaven. what voice!-whispered
her name.
Avis! Look at me, Avis"
She turned-she rose-gazed for one mo-
ment in his face as il bewidered; then with
a cry OF love and joy unutterable, Roy,
my beloved" sprang to the arms, sank on
the breast. Of her true lover
you have found me-" she cried; you
have found me-.
Never to lose you again, Avis; never
again"
And your mother?"
Her great eyes searched his face timidly,
anxiOusly.
'She viii welcome you as l do. We shall
part no more. You will learn, dear, that
she never meant to part us. And another
waits for you. Oh, come, love; come to the
heart that aches to welcome yOu-to the
arms of your trIIa mother FIX.