The true northerner., 1898-08-03

was 50 young. and he had hard life
In front Of him. He had quarreled with
his uncle and was practically cast of.
Mother, can't you guessr have seen
him again. love himr'
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. 4"
"But what is he now, Marjorie?"
"He is in the guards, mother
''In the guards 7" said the poor lady,
bewildered. "Then he must be very
well off indeed.
"No, mother no. He enlisted. He is
only corporal.
"Only corporal - cried Mrs. Beau
champ, clasping her hands. "In dread
full red coat You have been seen out
with himl Good heavens, Marjoriev'
"Oh, mother, don I be So Mortified I
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 l
am TO marry him. And, after alp
winding up her incoherent speech dra-
matically-'it ism the coat that makes
the mani And, mother. may go and
meet him and bring him back?'
"Oh. Marjoriel" cried her poor moth
err what would your aunt say? l sup
pose / must consent TO seeing him. He
certainly writes charming letter. "
"In the face of everybody, not
ashamed?" said Ferguson a 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?'
II love you, she whispered. blush
ing hotly. 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 glances following
the pair
T.ook, 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 facet Isn't it picture?"
Lady Hamilton alighted from her
carriage simply trembling with indig.
nation. She swept into her sister s
room, her silk dress knocking down q
table, vase and some books the plumes
in her bonnet nodding formidably.
Helena" she cried, something too
terrible has occurred. Your daughter
my niece-is out walking with a com
mon soldier"
my dear Eliza, can explain, fal-
tered Mrs. Beauchamp. 'Don't-don' t
be angry. The young man is on his way
here now
ION his way nowl" almost shrieked
Lady Hamilton. ''You are going to let
a man in a red coat and white belt en- >
ter this house! Helena, you should en-
ter a 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.
tion. What could be wrong when Mar
jorie wore such lovely look? And u
gleam of mirth in her eyes too And
the mother saw one of the finest looking
fellows she had seen in her life fill up
the doorway with his tall figure.
"Mother-auntie-le 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 winning way. II
claimed my discharge today, only to
take orders, though. in another service. I"
And here Marjorie's hand was clasped
in his
Lady Hamilton year later presented
the son and heir with a silver mug and
q box of tin soldiers. Forget Me-Not