Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1888-06-23
CHAPTER " CONTINUED.

lover of her incipient womanhood
with all the alteration and idealism
of her warm, trusting young heart.
The nuptial day was set for the
twentieth of February, ensuing, Mar
guerite, with a pretty show OF obsti-
macy and determination to have her
own sweet viii, declaring she could
not possibly complete the necessary
preparations before that time.
"What surprise, Bernard, 1t will
be to dear Agnes when | tell her. As
intimate as she and | are, | have
never limited that | am not fancy
free and she had not the slightest
suspicion that there is anything be-
tween u.s."
''If that is the case, please don't
undeceiye her until the last moment,
for it will relieve me of much embar-
rassment. When is she going to
leave ~
'1'he day before New Years we
had arranged to return, and | don't
suppose she has altered her plans.
Since you desire it, | don't think |
will confide in her until the evening
previous. | am exceeding anxious
to have her for my first bridesmaid;
isn't she an attractive girl z"
Had l not loved Marguerite |
would have loved Agnes, for she is,
truly, a most lovable girl" replied
her fance, with emphasis.
Take care, now admonished Mar
guerite, laughingly, or you viii make
me most awfullyl jealous. | ought
not to supply you with SO much ali
ment for vanity, but Agnes speaks in
equally hattering terms of you
DR.. Preston would have disclaim-
ed, as unjust, this half testing, half in
earnest. accusation of his fair dull
cinea, but for the once the attention
of both was arrested by the merry
Jingle eff sleigh bells, and very soon
their pleasant tete tete was suspend
ed by Agnes and her escort bursting
into the apartment, both in the most
hilarious spirits.
"Oh, such an adventure as we have
had !" excitedly exclaimed Agnes.
"What?" simultaneously queried
Marguerite and DR.. Preston. "You
have excited our curiosities almost
beyond bounds have you had a run
away y"
"Just wait now, Miss Curiosity
Shop and Mr.. Inquisitive," torment
ingly responded Agnes, until | di-
vest myself of these manifold wraps,
then | will my tale unfold.
"Now then-Mr. Hamilton, doubt
less. is glad that our eventful drive
is thing of the past, and indeed 1t
is no wonder, for | have leased him
until he is driven almost to despera
ton" glancing furtively at that gen
tleman who was smiling so amiably
that it encouraged her to impose up
on his good nature even more than
she had intended.
HE was so confident, you know,
of a thorough acquaintance with the
surrounding country that when Ike,
with grace that Autinous himself
might have envied, proffered his ser
vices as driver, they were disdainful-
ly rejected.
"No sooner had Mr.. Hamilton
grasped the ribbons than Di Vernon,
with defiant toss of her graceful
head, sped away with the speed OF
the wind. We continued at this de-
lightful pace for six or seven miles
when, in passing through dense for
est, the air became so keen and cold
| proposed to turn back it was not
until then that we discovered we were
lost. In vain we tried to determine
which of the many roads and by
paths that branched off in divers di-
rections, was the one we must take
in order to retrace our steps. | YER
lily believe we turned into at least a
half dozen, recalling forcibly to my