The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-08-17
HER GUARDSMAN.

half Of white satin train trailed behind
her. A maid knelt on the ground, pick
ing out here and there leaf from the
sprays of lilies of the valley.
Marjorie looked in the mirror and
patted rebellious curl. 81 feel excited.
I Ican't help it Oh, mother, I wish 1t
were like a 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, intoyour 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 yiolets, and her heart gave a
quick throb.
There was somebody" then. Per
haps no -belted earl nor strawberry
1eaved duke, but handsome, sunburned
face looked into hers, the mellow voice
had Whispered.
Tt was later on the same day, the car
Eages IN enGless strings downthe mall,
an eager crowd pressing close to all the
windows, making their remarks freely.
.sThis waiting is, very tiring," said
Marjorie, "and am so hungry
.sThe gates are opened. We shall soon
be in, my DEAR said Lady Hamilton,
taking sip Of sherry from convenient
6ssk. They had come new to the lire:
ofsentries, the guardsme enstanding like;
statues.
The sunshine coming out In a, great
sheaf of splendor almost dazzled Mario
lie, as looking through the glass windows
she was conscious of one Of the guards.
men on duty watching her iatently.
His bearskin almost hid his eyes and
brow.
Was she dreaming or was there dis
tinct recognitionin that soldiersglance?
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.
ssTo whom, may I ask, were you
bowing?o said Lady Hamilton severely
s.sI recognized some oae,s 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 feeting
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 barrenness
Of barrack surroundings, but be knew
he had finished forever with the long,
tedious marches. The pipeclaying, the
sebrass rags could be chucked away,
the parade ground need hear no longer
the tread of Corporal Ferguson S feet, no
more lonely watches in the tower, when
the thought of Anne Boleyn's ghost to
keep him company was not cheering.
coodby to the arduous life of rough
ing goodby to the jarring influences
which had surrounded him for two
years-years of stern discipline and
hard training. He had come out of it
well.
And what was he writing, scheming
lover, full Of ardent fervor? His last
test! A sweet little letter, scented deli
cately, lay next to his heart This is
what sl,e said:
"Do not lead me to do wrong or to
deceive. You must let me tell my moth
er, and l am ready to face the future
with you I will meet you cnce again,
but csn no longer keep it secret. !"
"Bad young manr' he chuckled, and
Marjorie Beauchamp that same day re-
ceived this epistle:
'.Dear, sweet Marjorie, companion of
my thoughts and highest aspirations,
when saw you fortnight ago, / was
determined fate should never sever US
again. Darling, how good you have
been to me, and 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
walk.
Mother, !" she said, going o-er to her
and turning very pale; "mother. can
not keep my secret from you any Ion
ger.
GA 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 I went on visit to our old cousin
James. When was there, met love-
~ 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. %
of ;<c,1