Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-11-14
Love and Moral Courage.
By AMY RANDOLPH

. What philosopher ever solved the mystery
of this true woman's reason? Because
means ten thousand things that pretty. dim
pied lips don't choose to put into shape-t
means that they know why perfectly well
themselves, but won't tell and not all the
coaxing of curiosity can get it out of them
Aud so pretty Agatha Milne played with
the knot OF scarlet roses, whose velvet petals
glowed in her belt ribbon, and lifted up her
soft hazcl-brown eyes with o provokmgly
absent, unconscious look.
"But, Agathar' pursued Rub Ellenwood,
stopping for momeut in her occupation OF
braiding and arranging Agatha's beautiful
waves Of auburn gold hair, I'm sure he's
pleasant partner at balls and parties, and =
OH Agatha don't jerk your head so, or
shaN have to braid all these strands over
againv' =. -, .e;a
Agatha, pettishly. the peach like crimson N
mounting to her check what can you tell
abou: young man from mere ball room &C.
onaintance? Any one can be agreeable
enough to hold your boquet, or BRING you
an ice-cream; that Is if he knows enough n %,
to tread on your fiounces in promenade
81 know it," said Ruth, p" but the question
| is"
"But the question is interrupted the i'm.
perious young beauty, chow do know 'na'
Mr.. Fitz Aubyn, silver tongued as ne Is to me-
with his homage and his compliments, don
| 20 home and swear at his II other and sisters
| What means have l Of ascer;alning that
YOU ,g ST. Si,nons, who is such graceful
wal'zer ana agreeable small talker, does nos
finish h s evenings in q drink salooo
Oh Ruth we have tests for a>certanlng
sn,,rious dollars and counterfeit bank notes,
bu, how on earth are we to know counter
felt husband, until he is tied to our unlucky
ap, on-s.rings for life?'
| She laughed as she sprang up to look tor
her bonnet but the long eyelashes drocp'd
| with SUSPICIOUS moisture.
Well" said Ruth, caressingly .patt'ng
Aeatha's tiny hand, /" am :ery thankful
that Providence didn't make me beauty ard
an hciress. since it has such tendency to
awake suspicion and distrust. But Agatha,
in spite of all you have said, feel convinced
that Charles Stanton is noble fellow"
:" Very likely" said Agatha, lightly "bu1
here comes Fitz Aubyn, with those splendid
horses of his, so give me my shawl ..
"And whittier are your footsteps to tie d.
rected to-day?"
"Oh. we Intend to 90 to that private view
Of pictures in-,treet, which l told yot
of
And Agatha swept out of the room with The
post of queen.
The white lustre of moonlight, pouring
down through the circular dune OF frostee
glass. gave a lfe-like gov to the supert
paintings whose gilded frames literally covered
the walls of the spacious apartments. Here
AMI there eroups of absorbed dilettenti moved
with subdued whispers and brandished opera
glasses, as if it were forbidden thing to SPEAK
above ones breadth in the presence OF thes'
fair landscapes and scenes from hlstory's page
Directly in front of one OF the finest works
Of art stood pair who had unconscions'}
been the object Of many curious glance ane
WHISPERED observations of the other sigh
seers tall, stylish looking young man, with
an old lady leaning on his arm, whose antique
dress of snuff colored bombazlne and Oddly
shaped beaver bonnet occasioned srea
may covert smiles and half concealed filters
from these present
"Oh. by the way, Miss Milne" said Fit
Aubyn, as in their progr IS round the room:
This couple came in view, "yol have n't seer
The greatest curiosity of I'll yet
"Nhere," said Agatha, raising her Opera
glass.
You are mistaken, it don't hang on the
wall said fitz Aubyn, laughing. Look
near r earth. if you want to see Stanton ano
MS fossil aunt ,..s
| AGATHA turned her head accordingly, with
out remark-she smiled little. however,
twas all Fitz Aubyn wanted. .sl1.
| "Should you suppose any mortal youth
wou' d have the courage to bring such last
century specimen to place like this, where
he might know he would meet all his fashion
able acquaintance! Upon my word,
believe he'll take 10 the opera next See
him carrying her morocco bag and cotton
umbrella! Don't he remind You Of Don
Quixote in youthful days?'
"Probably she has money to leave one o!
these days." sal Agatha, the distru 'tful ell
ment uppermost in her mind for the moment.
mot solitary red cent know, for
have inquired. She is in reduced circum-
>tances"-that's tie term, I believe--but
Stanton is very fond Of her nevertheless.
She has come up 70 town, from the back woods
for few days, and" :.
He paused abruptly as the very pair in
question approached, still absorbed in picture
gazing. 'My dear Charies,"" said the old
lady, at length, "you cannot imagine what a
treat this is to mel have not seen such
pictu es as these since was child. How
thoughtful Of you to bring me here!"
IL knew you wonid enjoy it, aunt !"
| "And you are not ashamed Of your old
fashioned relatives anon all these gay 70 ing
peorle?''
son the contrary, dear aunt, I an a
proud as monarch while you are leaning on
my arm"'
Agatha heard it all, and she also heard him
ansN er to the gag challenge Of some co npan
ton; Af,,.1. -glE
Thank YOU, don't reckon upon me as one
Of Your party this evening at the opera
am going with my aunt, who is passio ,atey
fond of music, so you must excuse me for
once. In. ..... aeas s.- -,e.
~ told you i" said Fitz Aubyn, in a
soto poce tone, struggling his shoulders
"Did you ever see such fellow as Stan
ton p -e ~ .'' lazt '-.2@ 'st
"Ntver," was Agatha's rep'y, but it was so
enphatica.ly spoken that Fitz Aubyn started
And III It n ght when the courted beauty ives
brushing out her luxuriant hair, she paused
many a time and fell into thoughtful reverie
.A1eral courage!'' she murMured t, herself.
II have somewhere read that it Is nobjer far
than tie iron resolution which makes men
reckless in battle. wonder" $50
And there she stopped resolutely.
What glorious, braciny New Years Cay
It was! There had been just snow enough in
the night to form white, glistening coat
over everything, and afforded an excellent
excuse for the merry sleighs that darted
either and thither with streaming fnrs and
jingling bells. All of the fashionable world
vas astir - the gentlemen hastily consulting
their interminable list Of calls, and the ladies
putting the last touch to their gorgeous toilets
There were not many upon that day who
received more adulation than Agatha Milne
"a she stood like young empress in her