Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1904-07-29
The Girl
From the East
BY Marjorie a. Barkley
COPYRIGHT. 1901, bv 4. G. Mcclure

HICKS, the little corporal who wore his
cap on the side OF his head. spread the
report that the girl from the east had
come and had been escorted to Colonel
Klein's house.
During that first day there was an
unusual amount of promenading In
Officers row. Lieutenants, sergeants
and even corporals found time TO walk.
In approved military style, past the
colonels quarters, and there was one
who showed signs neither of excite
ment nor interest. 1t was Captain
Roberts. He told his friend, a first
lieutenant, that he wouldn't go around
the corner to see twenty girls. Where
ut the lieutenant grunted and said
something about behavior In the Phil
ippines, adding, with frank sarcasm:
you're peach, you aye, to pose as a
woman hater after cutting me out
with the little senorita SO clean that
every fellow in the regiment was afraid
10 have you see his girl. / know you
all right, old pal, and I'll bet with the
rest that you take your little stroll In
the row on the heels OF some big head
ed corporal. l passed the house my
self" he owned boldly, "and / saw her
too. She's regular beaut, Dick"
But even his best friend failed to
awaken the interest of the captain. He
went so FAR as to get into citizens
clothes that same afternoon and leave
the fort for walk in the river road.
This, by the critical corporals. was con-
sidered stuck up.
When the captain reached a sandy
strip of beach a mile or more from the
fort he stretched out at full length
and gaZed at the water where freight
and passenger steamers passed on their
routes to the great lakes.
His thoughts, whether they were
upon commerce or navigation, were
profound indeed, for he started when
he heard the rush OF q woman's skirts
and saw from the corner of his eve
that girl was approaching. He NOV
ed a little, but did not look in her di-
rection until the girl stopped and said
softly: Il beg your pardon, but isn't
this-it IL! Dick, knew 1t was your"
Captain Roberts sprang to his feet
and looked into the girls flushed face.
It's Margaret, Dick" she said.
Peggy"
Roberts took the hand she offered.
Peggy" he said wonderingly. Peg
gy. you take my breath away. Where
did you come from?"
I'm staying at Colonel Klein's. but
where did you come fromT
"You. az the fort?" he asked IN
credulously. That's where live. Sit
down here on this rock. Peggy, Peg
gy Adams, do you realize how you
have surprised me? When did you
strike these parts?"
"This morning."
mo! Then you're the girl from the
cast? They've been talking about you
for weeks"
"Iow lovely of them-and your
"Why, I'm up there too"
'Those clothes?' she said doubtful
iy.
"Are Cts" he finished. smiling. CT
wear uniform up there"
"ohi And what are you-what
rankY
Captain" he said briefly. Peggy,
how you have grown up
Have IY' she laughed. "And so
have you. about two feet higher. and
you went to West Point after allT'
"Yes, father insisted"
do you like the army?"
"Oh, yes. when we see active sery-
icew
'"Then you have seen active service.
In the Spanlsh-American war? Oh.
tell me about it,
Roberts laughed. "I will some time"
he said. 81 will tell you anything YOU
ask, but let's talk about you now.
Where have you been all these yearsf'
School and college and around at
places"
THAT means travelling, suppose, yet
you never visited West PointY
Never. didn't know that you were
there, that you had gone back. You
know you said
"Yes, 1 said several things about that
time. You haven't forgotten thenr"
Forgotten? oh, Dick, couldn't
forget! Never! Wasn't 1t dreadfulr'
1t was rather bad mess, but We
at least f-showed remarkably good
taste, though you weren't as beautiful
then as you are now"
II can't snub you for that" the girl
said, with carefully lowered lashes.
1T sounds genuine. You always were
thoroughly genuine. Dick"
Eyes. j was in earnest then" he
said. smiling. You were my first
sweetheart" He laughed aloud. "My,
how you cried when the minister re-
FUSED to marry us! fiattered myself |
that you were disappointed, but it real |
ly was your pride. you poor little girl"
He regarded the poor little. girls |
face with tender affection.
Il think that the old minister was
the sweetest man ever met He knew |
that we We're clipping. How gentle he |
was and tactful. have always |
thought OF him with thankfulness akin |
to love-"
Il thought he was a regular old |
donkey. but 1t appears that 1 am the |
only one who was In real earnest" he
said tentatively.
Peggy laughed "Do you remember
my high heeled boots?" she asked. io-
noring his remark.
"Oh, don't I, thought You tripped,
and had the delirious Joy OF catching
you IN my arms. But do you remember
how saved money? I've roared over
my Witness more than once. You
know had only S25 to my name. and
said that carriages were too slow and
mat we would much better take a car"
had forgotten that" Peggy said.
but remember now lighting mad Won
were when papa rushed In. You stood
between him and me and said. sSir.
1onr daughter has consented TO be-
come my wife! Oh, Dick, wasn't 1t
'unnyr
Yes" he said slowly. Sometimes
seems funny to me and sometimes II
seems strangely tragic. That we were
'uch babies is the only saving fact.
'oor kids" He sighed and turned his
yes from the girls face. 81 suppose
'ou're engaged now?" he said.
"No."
How does that happen"