, 1898-07-23
GUARDSMAN.

dress, while her long three yards and q
half of white satin train trailed behind
her. A maid knelt OH the ground, pick
ing out mere and there a leaf from the
sprays Of lilies Of the valley.
Marjorie looked in the mirror and
patted a rebellious curl. "Ifeel excited.
I can't help it. Oh, mother, 1 wish it
were like a story, the country mouse
duke or earl falls in love with little
mouse. I shall be in the midst Of this
great world soon. l 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 u
quick throb.
There was a "somebody' then. Per-
leaved duke, but a handsome, %sunburned
face looked into hers, the mellow voice
had whispered.
It was later on the Same day, the car.
riages in endless strings down the mall,
an eager crowd pressing close to all the
windows, making their remarks freely.
"This waiting is very firing" said
Marjorie, land l am so hungry"
1.-THE gates arc opened. We shall soon
be In, my dear" said Lady Hamilton,
taking a sip of sherry from a convenient
flask. They had come now to the line
Of sentries, the guardsmen standing like
statues.
The sunshine coming out in a great
sheaf of splendor almost dazzled Mario.
RE, as looking through the glass windows
she was conscious Of one of the guards
men 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 mustache concealed
his mouth. She looked at him again,
the carriage moved forward, he smiled.
She bent forward, and her face dimpled
into aSmiling response; impulsively she
waved her hand.
"To whom, may I ask, were you
bowing?' said Lady Hamilton severely.
II recognized some one, auntie, in
the crowd" faltered Marjorie.
And her aunt. noting the sudden rush
Of color and shining eyes, grew sus-
picious. "a man was the only II
for that kind Of emotion" she thought
sagely.
Marjorie almost forgot that fleeting
look while making her bow to her mai
esty. But the %guardsman did not intend
she should forget. A brilliant scheme
had entered his mind.
Truly, only a guardsman %scribbling
away for dear life, in all the barrenness
Of barrack surroundings. but he knew
he had finished forever with the long,
tedious marches. The pipeclaying, the
''brass rags could DO chucked away,
the parade ground need neal no longer
the tread of Corporal Ferguson's feet, no
more lonely watches in the tower, when
the thought Of Anne Boloyn's ghost to
keep him company was not cheering.
Goodby to the arduous life of trough
ing" goodby to the jnrring influences
which had surrounded him for two
years-years of rtern discipline and
hard training. He had come out of it
we'll. -
And what was he writing, schelning
lover, full Of ardent fervor? His last
test A sweet little letter, scented deli
cately, lay next to his heart. This is
what she said:
"Do not lead me to do wrong or to
deceive Won muat lot mo ta11 my m,tb.
or, and l am ready to face the future
with you. 1 will meet You once again,
but I can no longer keep it secret"
bad young mani" no c~huckled, and
Marjorie Beauchamp that same day re.
ceived this epistle:
Dear, sweet Marjorie, companion of
my thoughts and highest aspirations,
when l saw you a fortnight ago, I was
determined fate should never sever us
again. Darling. how good you have
been to me, and J shall not try that low
ing heart another day. You are ever in
my mind, my best thoughts are of you,
and my one great longing is to win you
for my very own"
She looked very sweet in her picture
hat covered with violets as she walked
into her mothers room, dressed for q
walk.
Mother, 7" she said, going over to her
md turning very pale; ''mother. I can
not keep my secret from you any lon.
GER"
IA secret, dear child? Why, no., of
course not said Mrs. Beauchamp ten
derby, and put out her hand.
Mother. do yon remember two years
ago I went on a visit to our old cousin
James. When l was there, I met q love-
ly girl, Constance Ferguson. Do you re-
member my telling you how I helped
nurse her? And-and a brother Of hers,
Charlie Ferguson, had just arrived from
Australia.
well. my child. what Of it,"
II was only ~. mother. and he aid
was 10 young. and he had . hard life
in front Of him. He had quarreled with
his uncle and was practically cast on.
Mother, can't you guessS I have seen
him agnin-I love himr'
The bright head was bowed and hot
tsars splashing down.
"Read this, mother. He wishes ME
to meet him today in the park. and he
mys he has some great news to tell me.
He ID better on"
"But what 10 be now, Martorie1"
"He IL In the guards, mother"
"In the guardsr' mid tie poor lady.
bswidesed. "Thsn - nns6 b vsy
VEL a inised"