Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-05-14
LOVE AND MORAL COURAGE.
BY AMY RANDOLPH,

What philosopher ever solved the mys-
tery of this true woman's reason? "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, but won't tell;
and not all the coaxing of curiosity can
get it out of them.
And 80 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
provokingly absent unconscious look.
"But, Agatha" pursued Ruth Allen
wood, stopping for moment in her occu-
patton of braiding and arranging Agatha's
beautiful waves OF auburn hair. Pm sure
he's pleasant partner at balls and parties
and-oh, my dear Agatha! don't jerk
your head so, or l shall have to braid ell
these strands over again"
"Nonsense! that's no test at all !" said
Agatha, pettishly, the peach.like crimson
mounting to her cheek what can you
tell about young man from mere ball
room acqnaintance2 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 founces in a
promenade"
81 know it," said Ruth, but the CUES
ton is"
But the question is" interrupted the
imperious young beauty, show do know
that Mr.. Fitz Aubyn, silver -tongued as he
is to me, with his homage and his compli-
ments, don't go home and swear at his
mother and sisters2 How do l know that
Mr.. Jennings, who has the whole diction-
airy st his fingers ends, doesn't cheat his
landlady2 What means have [ of ascer-
tanning that young St. Simons, who is
such graceful waiter and agreeable
small-talker, does not finish his evenings
in drinking saloon9 Oh, Ruth, We have
tests for ascertaining spurious dollars and
counterfeit bank notes, but how ON earth
are we to know a counterfeit husband un-
til he il tied to our unlucky apron strings
for life2"
She laughed as she sprang up to look for
her bonnet, but the long eyelashes dropped
with suspicious moisture.
"Well," said Ruth, caressngly patting
Agatha's tiny hand, s l am very thankful
that Providence didn't make me beauty
and an heiress, since it has such tenden-
cy to awake suspicion and distrust. But,
Agatha, in spite OF all you have said, l
feel convinced that Charles Stanton is a
noble fellow"
Every likely" said Agatha, lightly,
"but here comes Fitz Aubyn, with those
splendid horses of mis-, so give me my
shawl" r. srE ..t
"And whittier are your footsteps to be
directed to-day2'
"Oh, we intend to go to that private
told you about"
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-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 dilettanta moved, with subdued whls-
pers and brandishing opera glasses, as if
it were forbidden thing 10 speak above
one's breath In the presence Ut these fair
landscapes and scenes from history's pages
Directly in front of one of The finest
works of art stood q 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 All old lady leaning on
his arm, whose antique dress of snuff
colored bombazine and oddly shaped bon
net occasioned a great many covert smiles
and half concealed filters from those
present.
ooh, 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 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 see
Stanton and his fossil aunt"
Agatha turned her head accordingly,
without remark-she smiled little, how
ever; twas all Fitz Aubyn wanted.
"Shouid 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 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 Quixote in his youthful days y
"Probably she has some money to
leave one of these days." said Agatha, the
distrusttul element uppermost IN her mind
Tor the moment.
"Not a solitary red cent. l know, for
have INQUIRED. She is in reduced cir
oumstances.' That's the term, | believe :;
but Stanton is very fond of her, neverthe-
less. She has come up to town from the
backwoods for lew days, and"
He paused abruptly as The very pair in
question approached, still absorbed in pic
ture gazing.
"My dear Charles" said the old lady at
length. ''you cannot imagine what treat
this is to mel have not seen such pic.
lures as these since l was child. How
thoughtful of you to bring me here"
81 knew you would enjoy it, aunt.''
"And are you not ashamed of your
old fashioned relative among all these gay
young peoplea"
"On the contrary, dear aunt, | am as
proud as monarch while you are leaning
on my arm"
Agatha heard it all, and she also heard
him answer, in reply 10 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 tond OF music, so you must
excuse me for once
81 told you So" said Fitz Aubyn, in a
soto coce tone, Struggling his shoulders.
Did you ever see such fellow as Stan