North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1863-01-14

conner, and the keenest eye could scarcely
discern the deeper shade of color that giowet
on her delicate cheek, as he quickly came uy
to greet her.
"Flll your glasses, gentlemen" exclaimed
Fitz Aubyn, holding high above his head
tiny chalice of engraven Bohemian glass
brimmng with crimson wine, "let US drink
to the health of our fair hostess, Miss Aga
tha Milne"
The impromptu toast was received with &C
clamations of satisfaction. and Fitz Aubyn
glanced around to see if all had followed his
injuuctions, ere he touched his lips to the
glass 2"
Come, Staunton, no lack of chivalry here
where's your glass 2"
al will drink Miss Mines health in clear
iced water with the greatest pleasure" said
Staunton, smiling, " but never touch wine. "
"Never touch wine |! and why not %
1t is against my principles" said Staun-
ton with quiet firmness.
Fitz Aubyn curled his lips in contemptu-
GUS silence that was several degrees harder
to bear than spoken obliquy. but another
young man leaned forward to interpose his
word.
"Offer the wine to him yourself, Mss
Milne surely he cannot be so lost to all
sense of gallantry rs TO refuse it from your
| fair hand ?'
Agatha had grown very pale, but without
speaklug, she filled one Of the goblets, and
held it towards Staunton.
Will you take il from mel"
Stanton looked at her with calm gravity,
as he replied.
"Miss Milne, should be coward indeed,
did allow your persuasions to sway me
from from the fixed principles which are
the guiding star of ray life."
He bowed and withdrew. The glass fell
from Agatha's hand and shvered into thou.
sand sparkling fragments; she bit her crimson
| lip until the blood started, with strange
sympathetic thrill of exultation. Had be
wayered for an instant In his determination
she would have despised him.
| ga very poor investment these horses ol
mine, and oil this behaviour Ia good boy in
story books, muttered Fitz Aubyn, about
four weeks subsequently, as he strode into
the brilliantly illuminated salons Of the Club
House.
"Waiter. glass of gin and water, quick y
"Whats the matter, Fltz, you look as
black as thunder cloud" observed by.
stanaeE, who was leaning against marble
pillar and picking his teeth 10 most epcu
rean manner.
"The matter? Do you remember that
magnificent Agatha Milne, the Queen of all
the beaaties 2"
"Of course do she hasn't lost her wits
or her property l hope 2"
"No bul I've lost the latter item pretty
efectualy. Who do you suppose she 10 90
ing to marry 2"
81 ann sure cannot guess. Do tell your
news at once, and don't keep fellow in sus-
pense:"
"Wel she is going to become Mrs. Char
ley StauntoD actually going to marry man
with fossil aunt, and principles that won't
allow him to drink glass of wine Bah
the humbug posses current in this world"
81 could have prophesied as much before,
my dear boy, If you would have only done
me the honor to listen to me my dear boy"
observed the other, cody unfolding the news
paper, SO as to get at the inside columns
"You gay and dashing young fellows are all
very well as long as a g,rl wants to amuse
herself but when it comes t. q life long
question, she is apt TO prefer o true to false
man for husband"
FItz Aubyn grraned deeply, but consider
ed his potion too precarioGs to be worth ar
gu,ng,
Meanwhile little Ruth Ellenwood was as
busy as bee working at her Cousins wed
ding robe of spotless white satin, and asking
ten thousand questions, the 6nal Of which
| was: :.
"But, Agatha, you never would tell me
why you didn't like him, and now you art
just as bad. Tell me, that's darling, why
you changed your mind %
And Agatha only laughed and crmsoned
and made the same old provoking answer:
| "Oh-BEcAUsE %