Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-05-12

opera next zee Inn carrying Hcr iIoT~
Deco bag, and cotton umbrella Don't he
remind YOU of Don Quixotc in his youth
full daysY
Probably she has money to leave one
of these DAYS" said Agatha, the distrust-
ful element uppcrmost 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 nevcrthe-
less. 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
picture gazing. My dear Charles,
said the old lady at length, you cannot
imagine what treat this is to me--l
have not seen such pictures as these since
was a child How thoughtful of you
to bring me herc.'
i knew you would enjoy it, aunt 7
And YOU are not ashamed of your
oldfashioned relative among all those gay
young peopleY
On the contrary, dear aunt, ] am as
proud as a 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 don't reckon upon
me as one Of your party this evening at
the opera. ! am going with my aunt,
who is passionately fond of music, so You
must excuse nc for once.
i told you so 2 said Fitz Aubyn, in a
sotio roce tone, Struggling his shoulders
Did you ever see such fellow as Stan
ton
Never was Agatha's reply, but it
was so cmphatically spoke that Fitz
Aubvn startled. And that night while
tie courted beauty brushed out her lux
uriant hair, she paused many time and
fell into a thoughtful rcverie.
Moral courage? ? she murmured to
to herself. i have somewhere read that
it is nobler far than the iron resolution
which makes men reckless in battle. |
wonder
And there she stopped rcsolutely.
What a glorious bracing New Year )
Day it was. There had been just snow
enough in the night to form white
elistening coal over everything, and afford
an excellent excuse for the merry slcighs
that darted hithcr and thither with stream
inc furs and jingling bells All the fash
onablc world was astr, the gentlemen
busilv consulting their intermnable lists
Of calls, and the ladies' putting the last
touches to their gorgeous toilet
There were not many upon that day
who received more uaulation than Agatha
Milne, as she stood like n young empress
in her splendid drawing rooms, every
mirror flashing back her iovcliness. Her
dress was very sim ple-pink silk, edged
around the shoulders with snowy erlniac
and long sprays of jessnmne dropping
from her hair vet she knew that she had
never been so beautiful as now, as she
listened with languid smiles to the COM
plimcnts showcred upon her. 1t was
nothing new.
The glided chandeliers had been light
ed, and the jeweied fingers of tiny alabas-
ter clock on2the mantle pointed to late
hour whcnfhepel Of the door bell an
nounced new incursion Of guests, and
Mr.. Fitz Aubyn entered, surrounding by
a gay party of young men
Good evening. Miss Milne surely |
am not too late to wish you the happiest OF
all imaginable New Years? Whom do
YOU suppose | saw steering in the direc-
ton of your hospitable mansion just now:
Here he comes to speak for himself-the
Chevalier Stanton:
Agatha turned calmly to welcome the
new conner, and keenest eye could scarce
lv discern the deeper shade of color that
glowcd on her delicate check, as he quiet.
Is came to greet her.
Fill your glasses, gentlemen : cx-
claimed Fitz Aubyn, holding high above
bis head tiny chalice Of engraven Bohe-
mian glass, brimming with crimson wine,
let US driuk to the health OF our fair hos
tess, Miss Agatha Milne.
Imprompiu toast was received with ac-
camnlions of satisfaction, and fitz Au-
bvn glanced around to see if all had fol-
lowed his iniunctions, ere he touched his
lips to the @inss,
Come, Stanton, no lack Of chivalry
here; where's your glass ?
+ wili drink Miss Mines health il
clear iced water with the greatest pleas
urc said Stanton, smiling; bat | hevcI
touch wine
Never touch wine and pray why not ?
1T is against my principles saic
Stanton with quiet fir, ness
Fitz Aubyn cnrled his lip in contempt
uous silence, that was several degrees
harder to bear than spoken obliquy, bu
another young man leaned forward to i'll
tcrposc his word.
Offer the wine to him yourself, Mis-
Milne surely he cannot be so lost 60 al
sense Of gallantry as to refuse it from
your fair hand 2
Agatha had grown very pale, but with
out speaking, she filed one Of the COB
let's, and held it toward Stanton.
VIII you take it from me 2
Stanton looked at her with calm gravi
ty as he replied.
Miss Milne, l should be Il coward
indeed did | allow your pcrsuasions t
sway me from the fixed principles whicl
are the guiding star of my life >
He bowed ard withdrew The glas
fell from Agatha's hand and shivercd in
to thousand sparkling fragments; sh
bit her scarlet lip until the blood started
with strange sympathetic thrill of exal
tation. Had he warercd for an instan
in his determination she would have dos
pissed him.
A very poor investment those horse
Of mine, and all this behavior ala good
boy in story-books > muttered Fitz Au
byn, about four weeks as be strobe int
the brilliantly illuminated suloons OF tn
Club House. Waiter, glass of bran
dy and water, quick
- IL - l.