Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1888-06-30
on the morrow, arrived.

sitting at the window with her little
pet perched as usual, upon her lap,
she MARBLES, in tones whose melody
vies with the feathered songstress,
one Of her pretties tunes.
Can this little dimpled girl, With
sunny ringlets, and large, heavenly
blue eyes, who nesting SO confding-
ly in Agnes arms, be the infnnt
Marguerite whom we last saw in her
cradle Yes, even SO; for what
pleasing metamorphosis cannot four
years accomplish
AUNT Aggie,' said the child.
availing herself of a lull in 1.-The rob-
in sang his sweetest lay" the must
cal notes, from some cause, failing to
have their customary soothing effect,
"Margie is SO happy do you think
papa will be sure to come tomorrow
He has staid away so long, 1--WE
hope so, baby" replied Mrs. Kings
ley, who had entered a few minutes
before, "but you must have patience,
honey; he'll be here by and by"
"Here he is nowl !" cried a manly
voice, and to their establishment and
delight in walked Mr.. Kingsley fol
lowed by Dr. Preston the latter as
handsome as ever, no perceptible
change wrought during four years OF
hardship and privation, except in bis
complexion which, formerly slightly
effeminate, was now brouzed by re-
peated exposures to inclement wealth
er.
Mrs. Kingsley, with outstretched
hands, sprang forward to welcome
him. 1--WE are so very, very glad to
see you, Bernard said she, cordial
ly.
"Me, too, papa ehimed in little
Marguerite, clutching at her fathers
coat sleeves, in her eagerness to be
caressed.
GLOW papa's little girl has grown
since he was home on his last fur
lough," remarked DR.. Preston, tax
ing the child up raptuously in his
arms and fondling her to her heart 5
content.
II suppose, Mrs. Kingsley" turn
ing to the ladies, "you received the
telegram / sent from Washington adj
vising you that | would be on to-
morrow Such was my intention,
but after sending the dispatch | I'M
expectedly met up with friend who
kindly volunteered to discharge the
duty which would have detained me,
and of course the temptation to come
on at once was to great to be resist
ed.n
DR.. Preston seemed to have fully
recovered his old elasticity of spirits;
he was replete with accounts of the
war, interspersed with amusing anec-
dotes of his own campaigns, and
made himself so agreeable and enter
tanning, generally, that Agnes, after
enjoying his interesting discourse all
day, was really sorry, when nine
o'clock, the hour she was accustom-
ed to put the baby to bed, pealed
forth it's unwelcome tones.
"Come Margie," said she rising, it
is time for US to retire" but that lit
tie youngster, contentedly propped
upon her papa's knee, petitioned to
stay longer, declaring she was not
zone bit sleepy" Finally yielding
TO Agnes persuasion, she kissed all
around good night, and reluctantly
trotted off.
No sooner had Agnes and her lit
tie protege departed than DR.. Pres
ton remarked ~ am so impressed
with Miss Agnes marvellous resem-
blance to my lost love. never no
ticed, when they were together, the
similarity, but for some time after |
came this morning / was so painful
ly struck with it | almost imagined
she was the wrath of poor Marguer-
lite, and could scarcely keep my eyes
N L hn