St. Landry democrat., 1890-06-07
A MEMORIAL DAY STORY.

Ida Stewart tripped lightly along with
her books in her arms, and was soon joined
bv a bow somewhat older than herself.
This seemed to be an everyday occur
renee, but the bright color in her cheeks
showed that it was also a pleasure to her;
"Have you got your problems, ClintT'
she asked.
"All but the second, and I can't for the
life of me see into it."
A merry laugh answered mir
81 know it is obscure, as the professor
says, and | studied it a long time. guess
if we walk fast we will have time before
school to look over it, and l can show you
how l got it."
s'Thanks; you're awfully 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 swsrthy complexion, showed ms
Southern origin, and the passionate hash
of his large black eyes indicates MS tenn
permanent.
Ida has not the golden hair that poets
rave over, and vet, as that sunbeam touches
II. I do not know what color to call it but
her eyes are certainly blue and her COM
pIexion fair her dainty mouth and chin
Indicate resolution she is thoroughly
self poised and self-reliant; you cannot
imagine her giving up anything she had
set out to accomplish.
Clinton Alston's home was in the South,
and he had been very happy on his fathers
plantation. Put that gentleman at last
reused up to the fact that the educational
advantages were not such as his son should
enjoy.
1--WE must send Clinton North to be edu-
Gated"
Mrs. Aston was really not very strong,
and all the surroundings had fostered her
delicacy until she had lapsed into a chronic
state of semi invalidism, and it was an es-
tablished household fact that she "must
not be agitated.' 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 a dread
full idea. She exclaimed:
what do you mean? Send my son
away from meT
eyes, that is just what I do mean. The
boy is growing up an ignorant, spoiled
fellow. He really knows nothing that
will fit him for his position in life, and
your foolish indulgence, added to his ig.
norance, will ruin him. | intend to send
him to my uncle in New Haven. he will
have every advantage there"
Saying this, he wisely withdrew, leav-
ing Mrs. Aston to recover from the shock,
with the assistance of her maid.
So Clinton was soon settled as q MEMBER
of his uncle's 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 almost
like one of her own boys. But they were
somewhat older than he. and had scant
patience with the naughty Southerner. but
ida became his chosen friend. Together
they studied, and her energy and quick
wittedness were a constant spur to his
more INDECENT temperament. They had
kept together in their studies until he was
prepared to enter Yale, and so was she il
that august institution ever opened It's
portals to a 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, 81 don't know what l
would have done away from you without
Mrs. Stewart and Ida" she gracefully as
sented, and inwardly, amade q note of it.
Ida was pretty and a very nice girl, but
not 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 said:
'Clinton, l want you to promise me
faithfully that you will not make any
matrimonial engagement until after You
have been at home a year"
eMother mine, what put such an idea
into your mindf"
"No matter, darling it is a within OF
mine only promise"
Striking an attitude, he gave the re-
CURED promise in a 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, he 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
improyement, and / feel that you have
made me what I am. I can never forget
you, Ida"
How he longed to ask her to continue
her good influence, but like q clog upoI
him hung his promise to his mother. A
dozen times In the past year he had beer
on the verge of telling her his love, ane
asking her it he was correct in his hopt
that she returned it. He felt himself K
be In q false position. She had many ad
e Ill -,r nN~Tsol fn oil
there seemed q warmer greeting reservet
for him. He realized the blessing within
his reach and yet beyond it and cursed thu
day when he, q boy, bound himself by suci
an unwary promise.
ida. with womanly perception, felt some
thing amiss, and when at parting he said
ssIda, will You correspond with me sh'
replied. mo, / think it would be bette
not il you want to see me very much, yol
can come North in a year or two and W
can compare notes."
So be left her, fully intending to return
and win Ida If he could, as soon as ne wa
free from that hateful promise.
Such q welcome as awaited MIN 0
seEudora." his own home3 His father wa
proud of the success of his experiment
with him, and even his mother acknowl
edged that his years of study In the Mort
had been of benefit to him.
81 want you just to ourselves to-day
but l don't wish you to feel at all bored e
us old people, so | have invited . party Q
young people to spend d week or Two "it
!, u.s."
The next day the guests arrived, and
merry party they were. Mrs. Aston ~
been wise In her selection, and with . liz
tie management she secured Miss suthel