Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1898-07-21

into her mothers room, dressed Tor "a
-alk.
Mother, she said, going over to her
and turning very pale; mother | can
not keep my secret from you any lon
ger -
"a secret, dear child? Why no, of
course not, - said Mrs. Beauchamp ten
derly, and put out her hand.
Mother, do you remember two years
ago went on visit to our old cousin
James. When Twas there, met love-
ly girl, Constance Ferguson. Do you re-
member my telling you how ] helped
nurse her? And-and brother of hers
Charlie Ferguson. had just arrived from
Australia.
"Well, my child, what of it?''
II was only l6, mother, and he said
I was so young and he had a nard life
in front of him. He had quarreled with
his uncle and was practically cast off.
Mother can't you guess? I have seen
him again. love himH'
The bright head was bowed and hot
tears splashing down.
"Read this, mother. He wishes me
to meet him today in the park, and he
says he has some great news to tell me-
He is better off. T"
"But what is he now, Marjorie?"
"He is in the guards, mother
'In the guardsn' said the poor lady,
bewjldered. "Then he must be very
we'll off indeed
ono, mother, no. He enlisted. He is
only corporal
"Only corporal" cried Mrs. Beau
champ, clasping her hands. Gin dread
full red coat You have been seen out
with him! Good heavens, Marjorie!'
"Oh, mother, don It be SO Mortified!
call him my pillar box, and he says
was the bravest girl he knew to meet
him, and after did he said he would
come and see you and explain. And
am to marry him. And, after alp
winding up her incoherent speech dra-
matically-'it ism t the coat that makes
the man! And, mother, may 60 and
meet him and bring him back?''
ooh. Marjoriel'' cried her poor moth
er, "what would your aunt say? sup
pose must consent to seeing him. He
certainly writes charming letter"
"In the face of everybody, not
ashamed" said Ferguson little quiz
zically, as he and his sweetheart got up
from their chairs in Rotten row. She
looked up half shyly at the tall, hand
some guardsman.
And now that you know everything,
Marjorie, will you forgive my putting
you to such test?''
81 love you, she Whispered, blush
ing holly. "But, oh, how glad mother
will be!''
They were walking along gayly, she
the perfection of dainty prettiness, trip
ping along at his side, many curious
and even inquisitive chances following
the pair;
"Look, Charlie" cried Marjorie, her
face dimpling into mischievous laugh
ter; there's auntie just passed us, driv-
ing. Look; she's turning back to look
at us. Oh, her face! Isn't it picture?'
Lady Hamilton alighted from her
carriage simply trembling with indig-
nation. She swept into her sister
room, her silk dress knocking down a
table, a vase and some books the plumes
in her bonnet nodding formidably.
Helena she cried, something toe
terrible has occurred. Your daughter
my niece-is out walking with a com
| mon soldier
"My dear Eliza, I can explain, fall
tered Mrs. Beauchamp. "Don't-don Il
be angry. The young man is on his way
here now
"On his way now!" almost shrieked
Lady Hamilton. you are going to let
a man in red coat and white belt en-
ter this house! Helena, you should en-
ter lunatic asylum. This-this is ap-
palling."
They heard joyous little laugh.
And Lady Hamilton rose to face them.
Mrs. Beauchamp felt faint from emo.
ton. What could be wrong when Mar.
jorie wore such a lovely look? And a
CLEAN of mirth in her eyes too. And
the mother saw one of the finest looking
fellows she had seen in her life fill uI
the doorway with his tall figure.
Mother-auntie-let me introduce
you to my lover, the guardsman, and
soon to be my husband-the Earl Of
Desart. -
"Please forgive me, Mrs. Beau.
champ" he said in a winning way. 81
claimed my discharge today, only tc
take orders, though, in another service. y
And here Marjorie's hand was clasped
in his.
Lady Hamilton a year later presented
the son and heir with silver mug and
a box of tin soldiers. Forget Me- Not.