The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1881-02-23

q s . ~ 4 Il d 4 i I||iI'
fossil aunt!n .'1.'''
Agatha turned her head according
ly, without remark-she smiled q
little, however, which was all thai
Fitz Aubyn wanted.
"Should you suppose any mortal
youth would have the courage tc
bring such a last.century specimen
to-a place like this, where be might
know he would meet all his fashion.
able acq1aintances? Upon my word
Ibelieye he'll take her to the opera
next! See him carrying her morocco
bag and cotton umbrella! Don't he
remind youof Don Quixote in his
youthful days7" ;t
Probably she has money to leave
one of these days." said Agatha, the
distrustful element upperrnost in hel
mind for the moment.
'Not a red cent. ! know, for I've
inquired. She is 'in reduced circum.
stahces'-that's the term, | believe
but Stanton is very fondo her, never.
theless. She has come up to towrfrom
the back-woods for afew days, and"-
He paused abruptly as the very
pair in question approached, still ab
sorbed in picture gazing.
"My dear Charles" said the old
lady, at length, "you cannot imagine
what treat this is to mel have
not seen such pictures as these since
| was a child. How thoughtful o.
you to bring me here!"
81 knew you would enjoy it, auntl'
sand you are not ashamed'of your
old.fashioned relative among all these
gay young people?"
"On the contrary, dear aunt; I am
as proud as a monarch while you are
leaning on my armp
Agatha heard 1t all, and she also
heard him answer, in reply to the
gay challenge-of some companions.
"Thank you, but don't reckon upon
me as one Of your party this evening
at the opera. l am going With my
aunt, who is passionately fond of mu.
sic, so you must excuse me for once.'
~ told you so?" said Fitz Aubyn,
in a sotto voce tone, Struggling his
shoulders. "Did you ever see such q
fellow as Stanton?"
Never was Agatha's reply, but
it was SO emphatically spoken that
Fitz Aubyn started.
And that night, when the courted
beauty was brushing out her luxuri,
ant hair, she paused many a time
and fell into a thoughtful revery.
"Moral couragel" she murmured to
herself. "Ihave somewhere read that
it is nobler far than the iron resolu-
tion which makes tnen reckless in
battle. wonder"
And there she stopped resolutely.
What a glorious, bracing New
Years Day it was! There had been
just snow enough in the night to form
a white glistening coat over every
thing, and afford an excellent excuse
for the merry sleighs that darted
hither and thither with streaming
furs and jingling bells. All the
fashionable world was astir-the gen.
tlemeh busily consulting their inter-
miable lists Of calls, and the ladies
putting the last touches to their gor-
geous toilettes.
There were not many upon that
day who received more adufation
than Agatha Milne, as she stood like
a young empress in her splendid
drawing-rooms, every mirror flashing
back her lovetiness. Her dress was
very simple-pink silk, edged around
the shoulders with snowy ermine,
and long sprays of jessamine droop.
ing from her hair; yet she knew that
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 had been
lighted, and the Jeweled fingers of
the tiny alabaster clock on the man.
tel pointed to a late hour when the
peal of the door-bell announced a new
incursion Of guests, and NJ. Fitz Au.
byn entered, surrounded by q gay
party Of young men.
"Good evening, Miss Milne! surely
l am too late to wish you the happiest
of all imaginable New Years.
Whom do you suppose l saw steering
in the direction Of your mansion just
himself-the Chevalier Charley STAN
tonW
Agatha turned calmly to welcome
the new conner, and the keenest eye
could scarcely have discerned the
deeper shade Of color that glowed on
her delicate cheek, as he quietly came
forward to greet her.
"FiIl your glasses, gentlemen" ex-
claimed Fitz Aubyn, holding high
above his head a tiny chalice Of en-.
craven Bohemian glass, brimming
with crimson wine, "and let us drink
to the health our fair hostess, Miss
Agatha Milnet"
The impromptu toast was received
with general acclamations of salts.
faction, and Aubyn glanced around a
second time TO sec ifall had followed