Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1891-06-27
LAURA GRAHAME
BY VIRGINIA FORREST.

AActiha cIOOu AlthNA iNAt hNt"
Walters grave adieu, and her cousins
gay farewell, still rang upon her ears;
and Grace's warm kisses still burned
upon her lips; she returned their fare
well with her usual smiling dignity,
and stood motionless watching their
retreating forms until the trees hid
them from her eyes. Gradually the
smile faded from her lips, and a look
of deep, settled sorrow, elouded her
young face; the easy, dignified attitude
was lost in the dropping figure and
detected expression Wewill leaveher
thus, lost painful reverie, and sketch
for our readers her previous history.
Laura Grahame was left an orphan
when only three years of age; her faith
er died of consumption, and her moth
er soon followed him to the grave.
Mr. Danvers, her mothers brother,
adopted the orphan, and no parents
care could be more tender than her
uncle and aunt lavished upon the
little Laura. Her father owned large
estates, which now became the proper
ty of the orphan.
Vixen she was about ten years old,
her uncle and aunt removed there,
with Laura and their only child
Grace, then Just seven years of age.
They had been but one year in their
new home, when Mrs. Danvers was
taken dangerously i'll, and the physi-
clans soon pronounced her case hope
less.
It was a darkened room, in which
no sound, save the low breathings of
the invalid, and the stealthy move
ments of the old nurse, could be heard
Laura sat by her aunt's side, holding
her fevered hand in one OF her own
cool ones, while the other was pressed
upon the invalid's burning brow A
strange feeling of awe, vague presen-
timent OF evil, kept her silent.
Laura, said Mrs. Danvers, III a
low, quiet tone
81 amhere. dear Aunt Emily What
can do for your"
Nothing, darling. My poor child,
you have lost your own mother; and
now /. who have tried to fill her place,
am about to leave you too"
"Oh, aunt, how can / do without
your" sobbed the child all her long
restrained greif bursting forth.
''You have been a good, dutiful
child, Laura, darling, and great
blessing to me; now, you must be a
double daughter to your uncle George,
and dear elder sister to my Grace =
''Oh, if were but older, | would be
her mother, as you have been mine."
You are old enough, Laura, to
exert a great influence over her. She
loves you fondly, and you can, by
example and affection, lead her to
good or evil. You are serious and
thoughtful beyond your years, while
Grace is light-hearted and gay-but
affectionate and frank Gently guide
her Laura, by love. as | would wish
her to 90 were | here"
81 will, will, dear aunt! My owl
qualification and interests shall always
give way before her good"
Poor Laura! you are youngenougl
TO still need mothers care yourself
but | trust her to you. Remember
she has only you and her fatherr'
Faithfully did Laura keep tn
promise made to the dying. Youu
as she was, she understood the obi
cations it imposed upon her; and, a
she had said, her own interests Away
gave way before her cousins. Laura
tasks were learned with double dill
gence that, when Grace needed assist
-ance in hers, it should be ready TO
her There was a warm love betwee
these two motherless ones, that nough
but death could destroy
When Laura was about ninetee
years old, there came to that part {
the country, for his health, youn
man in whom Mr.. Danvers was niue
interested. His father had been fc
many years Mr.. Danvers' s partner
a large mercantile establishment; an
Walter Elliot, on the death OF his ow
father sought and found firm frien
in his former partner. He was
handsome, intelligent young man,
'barrister; but, by too close applies
ton to his books, he had injured h
health severely, and the physician
ordered change of air An invitatiC
from Mr.. Danvers to pass son
months with him, was gratefully a
cepted; and Walter was expect,
every day.
" was bright clear day iii the ca
Iy part OF November, when Waite
pale and weary, arrived at hisfriend
house. Grace was spending f
weeks in another town with Mrs. Ell
an esteemed friend, Mr.. Danvers w
taking his daily ride, and Laura W
alone to receive him.
The ride, and the exertion of getti
from the carriage, were too much {
the invalid; and he tainted at t
door. Laura, terrified at his deaf
like appearance, stood watchir
while the servants carried him in
the parlor, and FASTENED away
find restoratives She bent over hi
parted the hair from his high VIII
forehead, and assisted in bathing
face, while her whole frame trembl
with terror.
When Walter recovered conciol
ness. the first object that met his ps