Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-11-22
Ida Testers Cup Of Happiness and
How it was Embittered.

varied hues had commenced to strew
the garden paths, and the breath of
autumn had tinged the luscious fruit
that hung in rich clusters from the
grape arbor with a brighter hue
The buds yet fingered in the changing
foliage, as if 10th to leave the North
lal d, where they had passed so joy
GUS a season. The home of Ida Les
ter had lost none of It's loveliness; it
was grand old mansion, large, state
ly and elegant: broad, well kept gray
eled paths led from the roadside gate
to the spacious verandah that encir-
cled the dwelling, and as the Septem-
ber sun went down in the west, and
cast its heightened shadows over the
old place, Ida stepped out upon the
porch. She drew her rich shawl close
ly around her shoulders, for the air
was chilly, and she looked wiStfu!ly
down the broad avenue, shaded by tall,
stately trees; looked with such an
eager light in her eyes that one could
not help feeling that she was expect
ing some one-some one who was
very dear to her, whose presence
would give her much JOY.
Ida Lester was an only child of a
widowed father, petted, and INDUCED
in every whim; she never knew a
want that money could alleviate, and
yet something in her eyes told you
that she was not perfectly happy.
To call Ida Lester beautiful would
not be just. She was not beautiful,
and yet you could never look into
those deep, azure, eyes, and forget her.
There was a charm, a fascination
about her you could not resiSt-an
inward something more Of heaven than
Of earth, which drew you toward her.
For nearly an hour she stood there,
with that eager stare directed towards
the gate. At last a glad light broke
over her face, a happy smile wreatned
her lips, as young man opened the
gate, and with quickened pace ap-
preached the house.
Clarence Howe was like many
young men, remarkable for nothing in
particular-handsome, dashing, well
dressed, and well formed with a care
less, easy carriage, and of finished ad-
dress. As he approached the house
Ida ran TO meet him, and as he claSped
the hand she offered him in welcome,
she said:
"Oh, am so glad you have come ;
| have been watching for you nearly
an hour. Papa has gone to the viii
Iage, to the political meeting, and |
have been so lonely"
"But it was imprudent in you, Ida,
to stand upon this porch when the
dew is falling. These September eve
nings are not calculated for outdoor
watching. You may take cold. You
are trembling now
And he drew her closer to him as
they passed through the door, and en-
tered the pleasant parlor.
As they sat on the sofa you would
have admired his careless, easy man
ners, his graceful position, his pleasant
smile, and yet as you looked into his
eyes. and upon her glowing counte.
nance, so full OF spirit and purity, you
would have wondered how such wo
nlan, with the stamp of heavenly no
biIity upon her brow, could love one
so entirely worldly and sensual.
you look sad, to night, Ida; what
is the matter 2"
'I am sad; something troubles me
| cannot tell you how much; | have
been unhappy every since you were
here last. Clarence. | wish | did no
love you as do. | wish | could cas-
this wild worship from my heart, for
fear we shall never be happy"
"What new fancy has taken posses
sion Of you? or what old woman ha'
, been talking to you? Remember, be
, fore another month passes away W.
shall be united. never to be separated
and then | will be with you always
and shall not allow these fancies yoI
seem so fond Of entertaining to visi
r you."
And he drew her to him, and kisset
? her hand.
! "YOu always try to turn me of
r when | wish to speak to you, but tc
night, Clarence, | must speak. Yo
know you are growing too fond of tn
: wine cup; that you pass too much oI
your time in the billiard saloon an,
a card room. Only last night you wer
b playing until near morning, and whe
:, you went home your step was unstead
e with liquor"
e "Who has been so kind as to kee
d watch over my actions, and report
o you, | would like to know? VIII
o has brought you this tale agains
o me?"
n "My father told me-not to depr'
}. ciate you in my esteem; but to avail
% en- me to use my influence with yol
| am his only child, his all. My hal
piness is his devout wish, and b
would not see me wreck my hope
: He knows that love you truly, d.
: votedIy, and he will not thwart m
wishes, even though he might disal
Lr prove. But he cannot be blind
;e your faults, nor canI L; and surely
t, you love me with one half of the d
II votion love you, you will not hes
ID tate to make so small "a sacrifice
a secure my happiness, for | cannot |
j. happy while | know that you love tt
,e wine-cup and the gaming board. y
IN Clarence, for your sake-for my sal
N leave off; stop where you are
d. "There, there, little one; you ha'
If worked yourself iato nervous few