Frederick citizen., 1895-01-25

rtght)
cred at Aldershot. But presently dis
agreements arose, such as are not con-
tided to a young girl And presently
Fred was forbidden the house. Ma
rian's pitiful heart followed him. Thus
the opening scene of my story will
be understood.
Dick dined with his uncle that night,
Of course. and excelled himself 10
please. Marian lived ON toast and tea,
but she sat through the entertainment,
and showed appreciation of his efforts.
Her pretty eyes beamed. and her laugh,
gentle but full of fun, was encouraging.
Clement followed his sister when she
withdrew to her boudoir. which was
almost as bare as one Of those respect
able garrets which her Mother
Superior allowed her to visit.
II think we have every reason to
be proud of Dick" he began, olumsily
enough. ANY girl might fall in low
i with him. Don't you think sop
| "Yes," Marian answered quietly. 81
should think So"
"Bless me! Well, he is prepared to
meet you more than halfway"
Glen! I did not refer to myself"
But you're a girl"
I'm a Sister,"
"Dick calls you an angel. but In this
house we have been used to regard you
as a dear little human being. Under
that impression, however, he has fallen
desperately in love. and we shall all be
glad to hear-in due timeI in due time!
that you accept him."
I'm sorry to hear that he Is desper-
ate, in one sense" Marian replied,
laughing and blushing, "but in another
it is fortunate. The poor fellow will
not be disappointed. There, dear, that
will dol"
"But think of our wishes, darling. OF
course, you are as free as a bird. but
allow us to argue. Surely Dick ful-
| fils your ideal of a loVer-in fact you
have admitted as much. He is the head
Of the family, and you can make him
rich enough to sustain the position"
II wish 1 could I wish I could give
him everything 1 possess, for Pm sure
he would make a good use of 1t. Too
much has been granted mel Oh, Clem,
now happy I should be to hand over all
my fortune to some good, beautiful girl
who loved Dick, and would make him
happyH
That's magnificently generous" said
her brother, puzzling. "But if you en-
tertain such a high opinion Of Dick
why not take him yourself?"
II haven't put 1t right" she cried
blushing crimson. IT mean that-that," :"
but the explanation did not come, and
in her angry confusion her eyes filled
"There, therew said Clement, sooth-
ingly. you shall tell me what you
meant another time"
"I mean that I can't and won't marry
Dick"
ut shall be as you like, dear" And
he kissed her with grave tenderness,
reserving a broad grin for the dining
room.
you're right and you're wrong
Dick" Clement exclaimed, rejoining
the others. "She knew we want her to
marry you, but she would rather trans
fer that happiness, together with all
her fortune. to some poor girl who is
more worthy of It," And he told what
had passed.
The father and brother who were
used to hearing Marian's conscientious
scruples, understood at once, and
laughed heartily; but Dick required an
explanation. When he grasped the
state of things, however. It did not
seem humorous to him.
But. sir. your daughter is obstinate
in her pretty soft way. isn't she?
Whatever the motive may be, her dec
laration Is emphatic-I can't and I
won't marry him! And I have only
three months before me! From what
recollect of Marian as a child. the pros
pect seems desperate-unless I quilted
the Service"
Don't speak Of thatw exclaimed the
General, sternly. "The man who could
think of resigning his commission for
the sake of girl could not dare TO
ask for a daughter of mine!"
IT had not thought of It, sir. Now,
taking the circumstances as they are.
what Is to be done? Marian does not
even go about. shall scarcely find an
opportunity to see her except at meal
times"
Follow her into the slums, as I said
before"
THAT would be more degrading than
to quit the Service" They sat a while
in silence.
Said the General at length: "The silly
child thinks she ought not to take a
husband who would make her happy
IN addition to so many other luxuries
which have been bestowed on her un-
worthinese. what a pity 1t is, Dick
that you DIDN'T lose a leg or something
when Won got the v. c."
1T catch the idea. sir. Marian would
have felt 1t duty to accept a man so
horribly mutifsted that no girl could
look at him without shudderv
Jack Carruthcrs made desperately
good thing out Of bhe loss of his arm In
winning the Cross, they say. Lady
Bell Carew had refused him half a doz-
en- times before that"
''Then there you are. Dick! Have
your arm OFF tomorrow
HIN! We have always to reckon
with time. couldn't lose an arm, be
nursed. make love. recover. and be
married In three months. Marian has