Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-06-15
Only One Glass.
BY ELGIA ELSTON.


| The summer term of h Semi
nary was drawing to close, only one
eve remained before the closing ex-
erises and dispersion of the students
to their homes; they were nearly all
on the Green in front of the Seminary,
walking, playing croquet, while here
and there, groups of three or four,
were discussing with animation, the
plans and pleasures of the coming va.
cation.
Pleading WEAKNESS | had with
drawn from the gay throng, to my
own pleasant room, and sitting in the
easy chair by the window, watched
the ever changing clouds, now render
ed doubly beautiful, by the rich gold
en- light of the departing sun, and pic
turet the great JOY of meeting my
little Srother, and widowed mother,
whom ! had not seen for nearly a
year, suddenly | was aroused by
the entrance of my most intimate
friend, Katie Carwell. "Ah, Elgia /!
I've found YOU at last; why are you
not on the Green? Just like you to
steal away from US all. | guess here
is something that will interest you
though" " and she tossed two letters
toward ne. zone of those is heavy
enough for a regular sermon on theol-
ogy. Faugh | declare it smells mus
ty! Now Ell, I've some news to tell
before you break that seal and get
buried in its classic contents. | have
just received a line from George, he
is coming here tomorrow, aud will
60 home with US; aren't you glad ?
But they are waiting for me to help
play game of croquet, so ace reUoir
ma chere EU," and she was gone hum
ming the notes of gay song as she
tripped lightly through the hall and
down the staircase.
Lett thus alone | had leisure after
perusmg my letters to think of Ka
ties news. Glad OF course | was.
George = was my cousin, only
few months older than M self; we
were more like brother and sister than
cousins. He had graduated only a
year before with high hono.s, and was
now practicing law in one of the
Western States.
Handsome, talented, and witty, ev-
cry one predicted for him a brilliant
future Vague rumors had indeed
reached US shat he was in the habit
OF borrowing some OF this vigOr from
the wine cup, but we cast it from Us
as The Idle g0sslps tale.
Onc so good and gifted as George
wound / YER be guilty OF that thus bro
thur ana | reasoned, and Incver spoke
to hate OF il. She was his intended
bride, and we'll knew why he was
coming this vacation. 4 hali-omoth-
cred sigh escaped my lips as | thought
OF the long lonely year | was to be
all inmate OF the boarding house with
out Katie to cheer me. She was live
/ ly aud gay, the pet Of professors and
teachers, and even our steward, grim
and stern, as he always was, somehow
managed to have "a smile for her
Soon the deep sonorOuS tones Of the
Seminary bell fell upon my car; the
students haStcncd to their rooms and
preparations were commenced for the
morrow. At last it dawned, bright
and sunny; ali were up hetimes, and
with clothing and books packed, were
arrayed for the closing exercises.
Kate had the valedictory address,
and as pinned her sash | thought
she had never looked half so lovely
She was dressed in white with no or,
namcntS except pearls in her dark
hair; the excitement had given rich
glow 10 her cheek AID a unwonted
briIa"r- /, h-H W.. Much talent
was III .1.4ycd That tAy-nohle scAol
arIy ia aGt essays LA. showed
much time and thought, yet none of
them equalled KatieS valedictory, a;
was manifest from the profound 81
lence that reigned through the hall
and the rapt attention of all wh(
heard her. As she left the stage
, George + turned to me, tear'
dimming his eyes, and whispered
"God grant that | may prove worth.
y OF 50 great a blessing" | SILENT,
bowed my head in answer, for my Owl
eyes were overhowing, and | dareC
not speak.
An hour later the good-byes hac
) all been spoken and we were en- tn
= railroad train bound for home. Kat
/ as gay and joyous as ever, George 81
: lent and sober and l knew he wa
forming high resolves for future use
u fulncss.
! The weeks of vacation passed swift
+ Iy by; with riding, boating, and walk
ing, the spare moments were passed
: and just five weeks from the close O.
. school, twined the orange blossom
:. for dear Katie c. and heard tn
solemn tones of the man of God as h
= joined her in marriage to my hant
. some cousin. The day following tn
wedding George received an invitt
Z ton to lecture in neighboring town
. he at first thought he would declin
y but at last decided to 60.
n 1t was beautiful moonlight ev'
: ming and just before we left the h'
l. tel where we were stopping,) fo
G the lecture hall George produced
l. bottle from his valise and pourin
o some of the contents in a glass hanC
l. ed it to Kate and myself. For mi
d ment | was too Mortified to speak, bl
: arousing, urged him by all that b
st was or hoped to be to desist. ID
d laughed at my fears, and the ringin
f OF the bell for lecture just then, p'
Ia an end to our conversation. ID
70 drained tbo rIoOo and uo uora SOC