Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1863-05-13
LOVE AND MORAL COURAGE
BY AMY RANDOLPH

q But why Ooh W. iiNS A'iit
ssOh-because !"
what philosopher ever solved the mys-
terv of this true woman's reason? 81 Be-
cause" means ten thousand things that
pretty dimpled lips don't choose TO put
into shape-it means that they know why
perfectly we'll themselves, bat won't tell;
and not all the coaxiug OF curiosity can
get it ont of them.
And 30 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
prevokingly abeent unconscious lock.
6 But, Agatha" pursued Ruth Allen
wood, stopping for moment in her occu
patton of braiding end arranging Agatha's
beautiful waves OF auburn hair. Im sure
he's pleasant partner at balls and parties
and-oh, my dear Agatha don't jerk
your head so, or shall have to braid all
these strands over again"
"Nonsense! that's no test at ali !" said
Agatha, pettishly, the peach-hke crimson
mounting to her cheek what can you
tell about q young man from mere ball
room acquaintance Any one can be
agreeable enough to hold your bouquet. 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 hounces in
promenade"
81 know it," said Ruth, I" but the eues-
ton is"
But the question is" interrupted the
imperious young beauty, "how DO know
that Mr. Fitz Aubyn, silver-toDgued as he
is to me, with his homage and his compll-
ments, don't go home and swear at his
mother and ssters2 How do know that
n Ton,;roS IN bo hos "a vyhala 1ictipu-
ary at his fingers ends, doesn't cheat his
landlady2 What means have l of ascer-
tanning that young St. Simons, who Is
such q graceful waiter and agreeable
small talker. does not finish his evenings
in drinking saloon9 Oh, Ruth, We have
tests for ascertainiDg spurious dollars and
counterfeit bank notes, bat how on earth
are we to know counterfeit husband un-
til he is tied to our unlucky apr1n strings
for life2'
She laughed as she sprang up to look for
her bonnet, but the long eyelashes dropped
with a suspicious moisture.
"Well," said Ruth, caressingly patting
Agatha's tiny hand, :" | am very thankful
that Providence didn't make Inc beauty
and an heiress, since it has such a tenden-
cy to awake suspicion and distrust. But,
Agatha, in spite OF all you have said, L
feel convinced that Charles Stanton Is
noble fellow"
..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
directed to-day n
"Oh, we intend to go to that private
view of pictures in - street, which L
told you about"
with the Port or queen.
The white lustre OF moonlight, pouring
down through the circular dome of frosted
glass, gave a life-like glow to the superb
paintings whose gilded frames literally
covered the walls of the spacious apart
ments. Here and there groups OF absorb
ed dilettanti moved, with subdued whis-
pers and brandishing opera glasses, as if
it were a forbidden thing to speak above
once breath in the presence OF tbese lair
landscapes and scenes from history's pages.
Directl, in front of one of the finest
works of art stood pair who had uncon-
sciously been the object of many 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
colored bombazine ana oddly shaped bon
net occasioned great many covert smiles
and half concealed filters from those
present.
sOh, by the way, Miss Milne" said
Fitz Aubyn, as, in their progress round
the rooms, this couple gradually came in
view, "you have no. seen the greatest
curiosity of all as yet"
"Where ?" said Agatha, raising her OPP
era glass.
You are mistaken-it don't hang on
the WALL" said Fitz Aubyn, laughing
Look nearer earth,if you want TO sec
Stanton and his fossil aunt"
Agatha turned her head accordingly,
without remarkable 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 ike this
where he might know he would meet all
his fashionable acquaintance Upon my
word, j 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 Qnixote in his youthful days 2"
Probably she has some money to
leave one of these days" said Agatha, the
distrustful element uppermost in her mind
for the moment.
" Not solitary red cent. / know, for
have inquired. She is IN reduced cir
cumstances.' That's the term, believe
but Stanton Is very fond of her, Heverthe-
less. She has come up to town from the
backwoods for q lew days, and
He paused abruptly as the very paii in
question approached, still absorbed in pic
ture gazing.
my dear Charles" said the old lady at
length, "you cannot imagine what q treat
this is to mel have not seen such pic
lures as these since | was a child How
thoughtful of you to bring me here
81 knew you would en- ~ it, aunt
And are you not ashamed OF your
old fashioned relative among all these gay
young people"
''On the contrary, dear aunt, | SIN as
proud as 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 doa't reckon upon me
IS 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