The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-10-24

perb paintings whose gilded frames literal
" covered the walls of the vast suit of
apartments. Here and there, groups of
absorbed delitonti moved with subdued
whispers and brandished opera glasses, as
if it were a forbidden thing to speak above
ones breath in the presence of these fair
landscapes and classic scenes from histo-
rvs page.
Directly in front Of one of the finest
works of art stood pair who had uncOn-
sciously been the object of many a curious
glance and whispered observation Of the
other sight seers-a tall, stylish looking
young man, with an old lady leaning on
his arm, whose antique dress Of snutf-col-
ored bombazine and oddly-shaped beaver
bonnet occasiOned good many covert
smiles and halfcOncealed filters from the
various observers.
''Oh, by the way, Miss Millne,'' said
Fitz Aubyn7 as, in their progress round the
rooms this couple gradually came in view,
''yOu havn't seen the greatest curiosity of
all yet
where said Agatha, raising her ope-
IA glass.
You are mistaken-it don't hang on
the walls, returned Fitz Aubyn, laughing
Look Il little nearer earth if you want to
see Stanton and his fossil aunt
Agatha turned her head accordingly,
without remark-she smiled little, how
ever, which was all that Fitz Aubyn want
ed.
Should You suppose any mortal youth
would have the courage to bring such a
last-century specimen to place like thisl
where he might know he would meet al,
his fashionable acquaintance! Upon my
word, believe he'll take her to the opera
next See him carrying her morocco bag
and cotton umbrella Don't he remind
you of Don Quixotte in his youthful
days?''
Probably she has money to leave one
Of these days, said Agatha, the distrustful
element uppermost in her mind for the
moment
mot red cent. know, for I've in
quired. She's in reduced circumstances
that's the term, believe-but Stanton
is very fond of her, nevertheless. She has
come up to town from the back-wOods for
few days, and''-
He paused abruptly as the very pair in
question approached, still absorbed in pic
tire gazing
my dear Charles, said the old lady, at
length, "you cannot imagine what a treat
this IS 10 me-l have not seen such pic
lures as these since was child. How
thoughtful of you to bring me here!"
81 knew you would enjoy it, aunt
And you are not ashamed Of your old
fashioned relative among all these gay
young people?"
''On the contrary, dear aunt, I am as
proud as a monarch while you are leaning
on my arm
Agatha heard it all, and she also heard
him answer, in reply to the gay challenge
OF some companion
Thank you, but don't reckon upon me
AS one OF your party this evening at the
opera. | am going with my aunt, who is
passionately fond of music, so you must
excuse me for once"
:" told you so y! said Fitz Aubyn, in a
soto coce tone, struggling his shoulders.
Ibid you ever see such fellow as Stan
ton %
Never" was Agatha's reply, but it was
SO emphatically spoken that Fitz Aubyn
started
And that night, when the courted beau
ty was brushing out her luxuriant hair, she
paused many time and fell into thought
ful revery.
''Moral cOurage!" she murmured to her.
self. 81 have somewhere read that it is
nObler far than the iron resolution which
makes men reckless in battle l wonder"
cha OF al,
What a glorious, bracing New Years
Day it was! There had been just snow
enough in the night to form white glis-
tening coat over everything, and afford an
excellent excuse for the merry sleighs that
darted hither and thither with streaming
furs and jingling bells. All the fashiona-
bic world was artir-the gentlemen busily
consulting their interminable lists of calls.
and the ladies putting the last touches to
their gorgeous toilettes.
There were not many upon that day who
received more adulation than Agatha Milne
as she stood like young empress in her
splendid drawing rooms. every mirror flash
ing back her loveliness. Her dress was
very simple-pink silk, edged around the
shoulders with snowy ermine, and long
sprays OF jessamine dropping from her hair,
yet she knew that she had never been so
beautiful as now, as she listened with Ian
guild smiles to the compliments showered
upon her. 1t was nothing new.
The gilded chandeliers had been lighted
and the jewelled fingers of the tiny ala
baster clock on the mantle pointed to a
late hour when the peel of door-bell an
nounced new incursion of guests, and
MIR. Fitz Aubyn entered surrounded by a
gay party of young men.
Good evening, Miss Milne! surely I
am not too late to wish you the happiest
OF all imaginable New Years Whom do
you suppose saw steering in the direction