The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1891-05-14
LAURA GRAHAME
BY VIRGINIA FORREST.

upon her lips; she returned their fare
we'll with her usual smiling dignity
and stood motionless watching thei
retreating forms until the trees hi
them from her eyes. Gradually tn
smile faded from her lips, and loo
OF deep, settled sorrow, clouded he
young face; the easy, dignified attitud
was lost in he dropping figure an,
detected expression. We will leave he
thus, lost in painful reverie, and sketcl
Tor 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
sr 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.
When 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.
1t was 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, q vague presen-
timent OF evil kept her silent.
Laura" said Mrs. Danvers, in O.
low, quiet tone.
Il am here, 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 leaye you too"
"Oh, aunt, how can l do without
your" sobbed the child, all her long
restrained greif bursting forth.
You have been a good, dutiful
child, Laura, darling, and a great
blessing to me; now, you must be a
double daughter to your uncle George.
ana 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 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
saffectlonate and frank. Gently guide
her Laura, by love, as would wish
her to go were here.'
Il will, | will, dear aunt NV own
qualification and interests shall ALWAYS
give way before her good"
Poor Laura! you are younpenouph
to still need mothers care Yourself.
but | trust her to you. Remember,
she has only you and her father"
Faithfully did Laura keep the
promise made to the dying. Young
as she was, she understood the obi.
cations it imposed upon her; and, as
she had said, her own interests always
gave way before her Cousins. Laura's
tasks were learned with double dill
3ehce that, when Grace needed assist
ance III hers, it should be ready for
ner There was a warm love between
.nese TWO motherless ones, that nought
but death could destroy.
When Laura was about nineteen
year old, there came to that part Of
he country, for his health, a Young
nan, IN whom Mr.. Danvers was much
Interested. His father had been for
many years Mr.. Danvers's partner in
! large mercantile establishment. and
Walter Elliot, on the death of his own
ather sought and found q firm frierd
ms former partner. He was n
intelligent young man. o.
,arrlster; but, by too close applica-
ion to his books, he had injured his
lralth severely, and the physicians
'ruered change of air. An invitation
rom Mr.. Danyers to pass some
months with him. was gratefully ac-
'epfed; and Walter was expected
very day.
1t was bright clear day in the ear
y part OF November, when Walter.
'ale and weary, arrived at his friends
rouse. Grace was spending q few
weeks III another town with Mrs. Ellis
m esteemed friend, Mr.. Danvers WAS
aking his daily ride, and Laura was
lone to receive him.
The ride, and the exertion of getting
rom. the carriage, were too much for
he invalid; and he tainted at the
DOR. Laura, terrified at his death
IKE appearance, stood watching.
mile the servants carried him into |
he parlor, and FASTENED away to
nd restoratives. She bent over him
arted the hair from his high white
orehead, and assisted in bathing his
ice, while her whole frame trembled
nth terror.
When Walter recovered conc;ors-
ess, the first object that met his gaze
as the pale face of his hostess, whose
yes were fixed with deep pity upon
I'm. lie tried to thank her, but she
,aced her hand on his lips, whispering.
lle sui, and don't try to talk; the
urse VIII stay by you, while give or
ers about your room.
ana, with a smile and graceful curt
y, Laura LETT him.
walters fainting fit was but the be-
nnlng OF a long illness; he was taken
ms room, and for seven weeks did
't leave it. Laura insisted upon
laring the fatigue of nursing him: She
was VINO prepared his medicines and
'oiing drinks, and, in his delirium.
aced the cloths wet with cold water
'on his head, while the nurse who
ied to reign supremein the sick-room.