The Press., 1898-09-08
HER GUARDSMAN.

In small house in Charges street a
girl of 18 stood in her presentation
dress, while her long three yards and a
half of white satin train trailed behind
her. A maid knelt ON the ground, pick
ing out here and there a leaf from the
sprays of lilies of the valley.
Marjorie looked in the mirror and
patted rebellious curl "Ifeel excited.
1 can't help it. Oh, mother, wish it
were like a story, the country mouse
being taken to court and real live
duke or earl falls in love with little
mouse. I shall be in the midst of this
great world soon. wish something
really romantic could happen.
"You' II have to take the taskmaster,
Love, into your bargain with Fate, dear, "
said Mrs. Beauchamp. Aud 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.
There was somebody" then. Per-
haps no belted earl nor strawberry
leaved duke, but handsome, sunburned
face looked into hers, the mellow voice
had whispered.
1t 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 tiring,'' said
Marjorie. land am SO hungry"
"The gates are opened. We shall soon
be in, my dear, !" said Lady Hamilton,
taking sip of sherry from convenient
flask. They had come now to the line
of sentries, the guardsmen standing like
statues.
The sunshine coming out in 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 i'll that soldier S 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 smiling response; impulsively she
waved her hand.
''To whom, may l ask, were you
bowing?" said Lady Hamilton severely.
81 recognized some one, auntie, in
the crowd, !" faltered Marjorie.
And her aunt, noting the sudden rush
of color and shining eyes, grew sus-
picious. ga man was the only cause
for that kind of emotion, she thought
sagely.
Marjorie almost forgot that heeting
look while making her bow to her maj
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 barrennesG
of barrack surroundings, but he knew
he had finished forever with the long,
tedious marches The pipeclaying, the
''brass rags" could be chucked away,
the parade ground need hear no longer
the tread of Corporal Ferguson IS feet, nc
more lonely watches in the tower, when
the thought of Anne Boleyn's ghost tc
keep him company was not cheering.
Goodby to the arduous life of trough.
ing, goodby to the Earring influences
which had surrounded him for two
years-years Of stern discipline and
hard training. He had come out of il
we'll.
And what was he writing, schemine
lover, full of ardent fervor? His last
test A sweet little letter, scented deli
cately, lay next to his heart. This ii
what she said:
''Do not lead me to do wrong or t.
deceive. You must let me tell my moth
er, and am ready to face the future
with you. will meet you once again
but can no longer keep it secret.