Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1890-05-29

The New Moon
iHc 'SN NUN
A Memorial Day Story.

Ida Stewart trippcd lightly along viii
her books in her arms, and was soon Join
ed by boy somewhat older than herself
| This seemed to be an every day occurrence
but the bright color in her cheeks SHOWED
that IL was also pleasure to her.
Have you got your problems, Clint:'
She asked
IAN but the second. aud can't for The
| life Of me see into it,
A merry laugh answered him.
| Il know ii Is obscure. as the professo,
says, AMI studied it long time. | guess
| If We walk fast We will have time before
school to look over it, and | can show you
how got It"
| Thanks; you're awfnllv good
| Soon they were deeply absorbed in the
mysteries of algebra. and while they are
thus employed. we have an opportunity to
notice these two. SO unlike, and yet such
warm friends.
Clinton Aston, with his raven hair and
| almost swarthy complexion, showed his
southern origin. and the passionate fash
| of his large black eyes indicated his tenn
permanent.
Ida has not the golden hair that poets
rave over, and yet, as that sunbeam touch
es II, do not know what color to call II ,
but her eyes are certainly blue and her
complexion fair; her dainty mouth and
| chin indicate resolution; she Is thoroughly
| self-poised ami self-reliant; you cannot
imagine her giving up anything she had
set out 10 accomplish.
Clinton Alston's home was In the South.
and he had been very happy on his father $
plantation. But that gentleman at last
reused up 10 the fact that the educational
advantages were not such as his son should
enjoy.
My dear" he said to his wife one day.
I'VE must send Clinton North to be educat
ed"
Mrs. Aston was really not very strong
and all her surroundings had fostcred her
delicacy until she had lapsed into 4 chron-
ic state OF semi-nvalidism, and 1t was an
established household fact that she must
not be a. eitsted." Now this Was the most
agitating subject that could have been
proposed to her. Clinton was her idol.
and to be separated from him was dresd
full idea. She exclaimed
what do you mean? Send my son
away from me-"
Yes, that is just what do mean. The
boy is growing up an ignorant. spoiled
fellow. He really knows nothing that will
tit him for his position in life. and your
foolish indulgence, added To his ignorance.
will ruin him. intend to send him To my
uncle in New Haven He will have every
advantage there"
Saying this. he wisely withdrew, leaving
Mrs. Aston to recover from the shock,
with the assistance of her maid.
So Clinton was soon settled as mem
Der of his uncles family. Mrs. Stewart
lived near, and her motherly heart yearned
for the lonely boy. who had so much TO
learn of life as it is in the great world, so
he was often at her house and seemed al
most like one of her boys. Bot they were
somewhat older than he, and had scant pa
tience with the naughty Southerner, but
Ida became his chosen friend. Together
they studied, and her energy and quick
wittedncss were constant spur to his
more iDdolent temperament. They had
kept together in their studies until he was
prepared to enter Yale, and so was she If
that august institution ever opened its por-
tails to female student.
Mrs. Aston had spent several summers
in the North with Clinton, and had won
many by her beauty and refinement, and
awed some by her elegance. Of course
Clinton introduced her TO his dearest
friends, the Stewards, and her eyes, en-
lightened by much worldly wisdom, saw
something that had not occurred TO those
most interested. But she was too wise TO
betray her knowledge; and when Clinton
said frequently, II don't know what l
would have done away from you without
Mrs. Stewart and Ida." she gracefully as
sented, and nwardly made a note of it."
Ida was pretty and very nice girl, but no
fit mate for her son moreover, there was
an heiress of beauty and family near her
home whom she had long designed her son
to marry. One day she sad,-
Clinton, | want you to promise me
faithfully that you will not make any ma
trimonial engagements until after you have
been at home year
Mother mine, what put such an idea
into your mind!"
mo matter, darling it is whim Of
mine; only promise"
| Striking an attitude, he gave the requir-
ed promise in highly dramatic style.
At last his college days were over, and
he was to return to his southern home. As
he stood in Mrs. Stewards pleasant parlor
for the last time, and held Ida's hand in
his, he realized something of what she had
been to him all these years.
| "You have been my inspiration to all
improvement, and feel that you have
made me what am. can never forget
you, Ida"
How he longed to ask her to continue
her good influence, but like clog upon
| him hung his promise to his mother. A
dozen times in the past year he had been
on the verge of telling her his love, and
asking her If he was correct In hisshope
that she returned It, He felt himself TO be
in false position. She had many admir-
4 nd dxxhi sho al IN al ha
seemed warmer greeting reserved for
him. He realized the blessing within his
reach and yet beyond it, and cursed the day
when he, boy, bound himself by such al
unwary promise. ~
Ida, with wOmauly perception, felt some
thing amiss. and when 1t parting be said
Ida, will you correspond with meT she re.
piled, mo, think it would be better not; II
you want to see me very much, you car
come North in year or two and we car
compare notes"
So he left her, fully Intending to return
and win Ida If he could, q soon as he was
free from that hateful promise.
Such q welcome IS awaited him at 'Eu
dora" his own homei His father wa
proud of the success of his experiment
with him, and even his mother acknow
ledged that his years of study in the Nortl
had been of benefit to him.
Il wanted you Just to ourselves to-day
but Iedont wish you, % feel at all bored b,
rs Old people, 50 ] have invited party Of
young people to spend week or two will
u.s."
The next day the guests arrived, and ,
merry party they were. Mrs. Aston has
been wise In her selection. and with lit
tie management she secured Miss Suther
land, the heiress of "Rosedale," IS . com
panion for Clinton.
The young lady was much pleased will