The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-08-17
HER GUARDSMAN.


: Marjorie looked In the mirror ant
r patted a rebellious curl. II feel excit.
e ed; l can't help II. Oh, mother,
3 wish 1t were like a story, the country
mouse being taken to court and rea
live duke or earl falls in love with little
> mouse shall be In the midst of this
, great world soon. wish something
really romantic could happen"
You'll have to take the taskmaster,
Love, into your bargain with Fate,
dear" said Mrs. Beauchamp. And
Marjorie hid her face in her lovely
bouquet Of lilies of the valley, white
orchids and white violets, and her
heart gave a quick throb.
1t was later on the same day, the
carriages, in endless strings down the
Mall, and eager crowd pressing close to
all the windows, making their re-
marks freely.
The sunshine coming out in a great
sheaf of splendor almost dazzled Mar
jorie. as, looking through the glass
windows, she was conscious OF one OF
the guardsmen on duty watching her
intently His bearskin almost hid his
eyes and brow.
Was she dreaming, or was there dis
tinct recognition in that soldiers
glance? The sweeping brown mus
tache concealed his mouth. She looked
at him again. the carriage moved for
ward, he smiled. She bent forward
and her face dimpled into smiling re-
Spouse, impulsively she waved her
hand.
ITO whom, may ask, were you bow
ing?" said Lady Hamilton severely.
Il recognized some one. auntie, in
the crowd" faltered Marjorie.
Marjorie almost forgot that feeting
look while making her bow to Her
Majesty. But the guardsman did not
intend she should forget-a brilliant
scheme had entered his mind.
She looked very sweet In her picture
hat covered with violets as she walked
into Ter mothers room, dressed for a
walk.
Mother" she said, going over to her
and turning very pale, mother, can
not keep my secret from you any long
er."
"A secret, dear child? Why, no, of |
course not" said Mrs. Beauchamp ten
Derby, and put out her hand.
Mother, do you remember TIVE years
ago l went on visit to our old cousin
James. When was there met a
ovely girl, Constance Ferguson. Do
you remember my telling you how l
Helped nurse her? And-and a brother
If hers, Charles Ferguson, had just
Irrived from Australia"
well, my child, what of it,"
II was only sixteen, mother, and be
aid was SO young, and he had hard
life in front of him. He had quaralled
With his uncle, and was practically cast
If. Mother, can't you guess? l have
cen him again--I love him!"
The bright head was bowed, and hot
ears were splashing down.
Read this, mother. He wishes me
D meet him to-day in the park, and he
avs he has some great news to tell
,e. He Is better off,
But what is he now, Marjorie?"
HE is in the guards, mother"
"In the guards!" said the poor lady,
ewildered. Then he must be very
ell off indeed"
mo, mother, no! He enlisted. He
only corporal"
only a corporal" cried Mrs. Beau
1amp, clasping her hands. in a
readful red coat! You have been seen
1T with him! Good heavens, Mar
rie!"
ooh, mother don't be so horrified!
call him my pillar-box! And he says
was the bravest girl he knew to meet
m, and after l did he said he would
me and see you and explain. AndI
n to marry him. And after all wind
6 up her incoherent speech dramati-
lly) it isn't the coat that makes the
an! And, mother, may go and meet
m and bring him back!"
"Oh, Marjorie" cried her poor moth
what would your aunt say? l sup
Sc must consent to seeing him. He
rtainly writes charming letter." 4
=
I'm the face of everybody! not
hamed?" said Ferguson a little quiz Il
ally, as he and his sweetheart got CO
from the chairs in Rotten Row. y
e looked up half shyly at the tall, t.
ndsome guardsman. 4
And now that you know everything, VI
lrjorie, will you forgive my putting te
il to such a test?' IN
I love you!" she whispered, blush y
!, hotly. But, oh, how glad mother re
/ be-" b
they were walking along gayly, she B.
, perfection Of dainty prettiness, IL,
piping along at his side, many Curl n
and even inquisitive chances follow A.
the pair. an
Look, Charlie!" cried Marjorie, her -
e dimping into mischievous laugh
there's auntie Just passed us, drv-
. Look! she's turning back to look
u.s. Oh, her face! Isn't it a pic
e?"
.ady Hamilton allghted from her
riage simply trembling with indig- Be
ion. She swept into her sisters mi
m, her silk dress knocking down a de
lie, vase and some books, the plumes
ler bonnets nodding formidably.
Helena!" she cried, something too I.
l5le has occurred. Your daughter
" niece, is out walking with a COM N
\ soldier!" ~
Ny dear Eliza, I can explain" fall
d Mrs Beauchamp. "Don't-don't
Ingry; the young man is on his way
, now" -
IN his way now!" almost shrieked IT,
y Hamilton. "You are going to let IL
ian in red coat and white belt
n this house? Helena, you should
II lunatic asylum. This-this Is
slling!"
ley heard a joyous little laugh. -
Lady Hamilton rose to face them. p
Beauchamp felt faint from emo ~
What could be wrong when Mar
, wore such lovely look? And a
m of mirth in her eyes, too And
mother saw one Of the finest-look- ,
fellows she had seen in her life fill
he doorway with his tall figure.
let me introduce r:
to my lover, the guardsman, and I'll
to be my husband-the Earl of
rt!"
lease forgive me, Mrs. Beau
lp," he said in winning way II
ned my discharge to-day, only to Ais
orders. though, in another SER
" And here Narjorie's hand was
ed In his