Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1862-10-17
LOVE AND MORAL COURAGE.
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

81 But why don't you like him, Agatha ?''
Oh-because ~
What philosopher ever solved the mystery
of this true woman's reason? Because v
means ten thousand things that pretty, din,
pied lips don't choose to put into shape-it
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
And 50 pretty Agatha Milne played with
the knot of scarlet roses, whose velvet petals
glowed in her belt-ribbon, and lifted up her
soft hazel brown eyes with proyokingly alb
sent, unconscious look.
But, Agatha u pursued Ruth Ellenwood,
stopping for moment in her occupation OF
bralding and arranging Agatha's beautiful
waves of auburn-gold hair, " Pm sure he's a
pleasant partner at balls and parties, and
oh, Agatha don't jerk ycsr head so, or
shall have to braid all these strands over
again p
Nonsense? that's no test at all said
Agatha pettishly, the peach.llke crimson
mounting to her cheek; what can you tell
about young man, from mere ballroom
acquaintance? Any one can be agreeable
enough to hold your boquet, or bring you an
ice-cream that is if he knows enough not to
tread on your toes in the polka, nor to step
on your fiounces in a promenade p
" know i" said Ruth, but the CUES
ton is"
"B But the question is" interrupted the
imperions young beauty, show do know
that Mr.. Fitz Aubyn, silver tongued as he is
to me, with his homage and his compliments
don't go heme and swear Mt his mother and
sisters? How do know that Mr.. Jennings
who has the who e dictionary at his fingers
ends, doesn't cheat his landlady? What
means have of ascertaining that young st.
Simons, who is such a graceful waltzer and
agreeable small talker, does not finish his
evenings in a drinking saloon? Oh, Ruth,
we have tests for ascertaining spurious dol.
lars and counterfeit bank notes, but how on
earth are we to know counterfeit husband
until he is tied to our unlucky apron-strings
for life p
She laughed as she sprang up to look for
her bonnet, but the long eyelashes dropped
with a suspicious moisture.
"Wcll," said Ruth, caressingly pattinc
Agatha's tiny hand, II am very, very thank.
ful that Providence didn't make me beauty
aud an hairess, since it has such tendency
to awake suspicion and distrust. But Aga
i
vinceG that Charles Stanton is a noble fel-
low"
VERY likely" said Agatha, lightly " but
here comes Fitz Aubyn, with those splendid
horses Of his, so give me my shawl
And whittier are your footsteps to be di-
rected to-day ~
"Oh, we intended to 60 to thai private
view of pictures in--street, which | told
you off,
And Agatha swept out of the room with
the port OF queen.
The white lustre Of moonlight, pouring
down through the circular dome of frosted
glass, gave life-lke glow to the superb
painting whose gilded frames literally cover
ed the walls of the spacious apartments.
Here and there, groups Of absorbed dilettenti
moved, with subdued whispers and bran
dished opera glasses, as lift were forbidden
thing to speak above ones breath in the pres
ence of these fair landscapes and scenes from
history's page.
Directly IN front of one Of the finest works
of art stood pair who had unconsciously
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 snuff -coored bombazno and
oddly-shaped beaver bonnet eccasioned a
great many covert smiles and half concealed
titters from those present.
Oh, by the way, Miss Milne said Fitz
Aubyn, as in their progress round the rooms
this couple gradually came in view, "you
have not seen the greatest curiosity of all
yet
Where" said Agatha, raising her opera
glass.
" YOU are mistaken, it don't hang on the
wall" said Fitz Aubyn, laughing. I" Look
nearer earth, if you want to see Stanton and
his fossil aunt"
Agatha turned her head accordingly,
without remark--she smiled little. how
ever-'twas all Fitz Aubyn wanted.
" Should you suppose any mortal youth
would have the courage to bring such last
century specimen to place like this, where
he might know he would meet all his fash
ionable acquaintances Upon my word, I
believe he'll take her to the opera next |!
See him carrying her morocco bag and cot
ton umbrella Don't he remind you Of Don
Quixote in youthful days?'
Probably she has money to leave one of
these days." said Agatha, the distrustful ell
ement uppermost in her mind for the mo-
ment.
" Not d solitary red cent I know for
have inquired. She is "in reduced circum-
stances that's the term, / believe-but
Stanton is very fond of her, nevertheless.
She has come up to tcwr 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 Charles said the old
lady, at length, you cannot imagine what
treat this is to mel have not seen such
pictures as these since was child How
throughtful Of you to bring me lfarc p
: knew you would enjoy it, auntp'
And you are not ashamed of yo;ir old
fashioned relative among all these gay ,2ung