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

Here and there, groups Of absorbed ditettantl
moved, with subdued whispers and brandish
ed opera glasses, as if were forbidden
thing to speak above ones breath in the
presence of these fair landscapes and scenes
from history's page.
Directly in front of one Of the finest works
of Srt stood pair who had unconsciously
been the object of many curious glance and
whispered observation Of the other sight Sc
ers-a tall stylish-looking young man, with
an old lady leaning on his arm, whose an
| tique Dress of snuff colored bombazine and
oddly shaped beaver bonnet occasioned a
great many covert smiles and half concealed
| filters from those present.
"Oh, by the way, Miss Mllne," said Fit
Aubyn, as in their progress round the rooms
this couple 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
wal" said Fitz Aubyn, laughing. "Look
HcdAcL IL JOu W0uL " SGc Ct9uuLOU
| and his fossil aunt"
Agatha turned her head accordingly, with
| out remark-she smiled little, however,
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
ionabe acquaintances See him carry ing
her morocco bag, and cotton umbs leila -
Don't he remind you Of Don Quixote in his
youthful days2 2"
Probably che has money to leave one of
these days." said Agatha, the distrustfnl ele-
ment uppermost in her mind for the mo-
ment.
Not solitary red cent, I know, for
have inquired. She is 6 in reduced circum
stances'-that's the term, l beeve-but
Staunton 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 pictures
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 child. How
thoughtful of you to briiig re here ~
81 knew you would enjoy it, aunt %
"And you are not ashamed of your old
fashioned relative among all those gay young
people q. ..-..
"On the contrary, dear aunt, am as
proud as monarch while you are leaning on
my arm!" So
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 passionate
| ly fond of music, 80 you must excuse me for
| Cnce"
81 told you so !" said Fitz Aubyn, in a
| sotto roice tone, struggling his shoulders.
"Did you ever see such fellow as Staun-
ton"
Never" was Agath's reply, but it was so
emphatically spoken that Fitz Aubyn started
And that night while the courtad beauty
| brushed Jut her luxuriant hair, she paused
many time and fell into thoughtful reve-
| rie.
"Moral courage !" she murmured to her
SELF have somewhere read that it is no.
bier far than the iron resolution which makes
men reckless in battle. | worder-"
And here she stopped resolutely.
What glorious bracing New Years Day
it was! There had been just snow enough
in the night to fern a white glistening coat
over everything, and, afford an excellent ex-
cuse for the merry sleighs that darted hither
and thither with streaming furs and jingIing
bells. All the fashionable world was astir--
the gentlemen busily consulting their inter
minable list of calls, and the ladies putting
the last touches to their gorgeous toilets.
There were not many upon that day who
received more adulations than Agatha Milne,
| az she stood like a young empress in her
splendid drawing rooms, everv mirror flash
| ing back her lovelincss. Her dress was very
simple-pink silk, edged around the shoul'
ders with snowy ermne, and long sprays Of
jessamine dropping from her hair; yet she
knew she had never been so beautiful as now,
as she listened with languid smiles to the
compliments showered upon her. 1t was
nothing new.
The gilded chandeliers bad been lighted,
and the jeweled fingers Of the tiny alabaser
clock en- the mantle pointed to late hour,
when the peal of the door-bell announced
new incursion of guests, and MFR. Flts Aubyn
entetedj surrounded by q gay party of young
men.
"Good evening, Miss Milne surely 1 am
not to late to wish you the happiest OF all
imaginable New Years. Whom do you sup.
! ~o,. eSxx sta6G,v,s, iy, thh direction If VOllT