The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-09-02
HER GUARDSMAN.

MdIJorle looked IN the mirror ana
patted rebellious curl 81 feel excit-
ed; / can't help it. Oh, mother, I
wish 1t were like story, the country
mouse being taken to court and real
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 volets, 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 a smiling re-
Spouse, impulsively she waved her
hand.
ITO whom, may ask, were you bow
ing?" said Lady Hamilton severely.
II 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 her 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
err"
"a secret, dear child? Why, no, of
course not" said Mrs. Beauchamp ten
derby, and put out her hand
Mother, do you remember two years
ago l went on a visit to our old cousin
James. When l was there l met
lovely GIRL Constance Ferguson. Do
you remember my telling you how
helped nurse her? And-and brother
of hers, Charles Ferguson, had just
arrived from Australia"
"Well, my child, what Of it,"
II was only sixteen, mother, and he
said | was so young, and he had hard
| life in front of him. He had quaralled
with his uncle, and was practically cast
off, Mother, can't you guess? l have
seen him again-I love him!"
The bright head was bowed, and hot
tears were splashing down.
"Read this, mother. He wishes me
to meet him to-day in the park, and he
says he has some great news to tell
me. He is better off,.
But what is he now, Marjorie?"
"He is in the guards, mother"
"In the guards" said the poor lady,
bewildered Then he must be very
we'll off indeed"
mo, mother. no! He enlisted. He
| Is only corporal"
"Only a corporal!" cried Mrs. Beau
champ clasping her hands. in
dreadful red coat! You have been seen
out with him! Good heavens, Mar
jorie!"
"Oh, mother, don't be SO Mortified!
/ call him my pillar-box! And he says
/ was the bravest girl he knew to meet
him, and after l did he said he would
come and see you and explain. And
am to marry him. And after all (wind-
ling up her incoherent speech dramati-
cally) 1t isn't the coat that makes the
man! And, mother, may go and meet
him and bring him back?"
"Oh, Marjorie,' cried her poor moth
er, what would your aunt say? | sup
pose must consent to seeing him. He
certainly writes a charming letter."
|
"In the face of everybody! not
ashamed?" said Ferguson little quiz
ideally, as he and his sweetheart got
up from the chairs in Rotten Row.
She looked up half shyly at the tall,
handsome guardsman.
"And now that you know everything,
| ludI julie, Will yOu Iva 6iNS 10y paSeiho
you to such test?"
IT 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,
tripping along at his side, many Curl
GUS and even inquisitive glances follow
ling the pair.
Look, Charlie!" cried Marjorie, her
face dimpling into mischievous laugh
ter, there's auntie just passed us, driv-
ling. Look! she's turning back to look
at US. Oh, her face! Isn't 1t pic
ture?"
Lady Hamilton alighted from her
carriage simply trembling with indig-
nation She swept into her sisters
| room, her silk dress knocking down a
liable, vase and some books, the plumes
in her bonnets nodding formidably.
"Helena!" she cried, something too
terrible has occurred. Your daughter
my niece, is out walking with COM
mon soldier!"
my dear Eliza, can explain" fall
tered Mrs. Beauchamp. "Don't-don't
be angry; the young man is on his way
/ here now
ION his way now!" almost shrieked
Lady Hamilton. you are going to let
1 man in red coat and white belt
enter this house? Helena. you should
enter a fanatic asylum. This-this Is
appalling"
They heard joyous little laugh.
And Lady Hamilton rose to face them.
Mrs. Beauchamp felt faint from emo
| ion. What could be wrong when Mar
| Iorie wore such lovely look? And a
CLEAN of mirth in her eyes. too. And
| he mother saw one Of the flnest-look-
ng fellows she had seen In her life fill
| IN the doorway with his tall figure